Unified Fire Authority
To a Business Associate . Certain services are provided to the plans by third-party administrators known as “ business associates .” For example , the plans may input information about your health care treatment into an electronic claim processing system maintained by the business associate so your claim may be paid . In so doing , the plans will disclose your PHI to its business associate so it can perform its claims payment function . However , the plans will require its business associates , through contract , to appropriately safeguard your health information .
Treatment Alternatives . The plans may use and disclose your PHI to tell you about possible treatment options or alternatives that may be of interest to you .
Health-Related Benefits and Services . The plans may use and disclose your PHI to tell you about health-related benefits or services that may be of interest to you .
Individual Involved in Your Care or Payment of Your Care . The plans may disclose PHI to a close friend or family member involved in or who helps pay for your health care . The plans may also advise a family member or close friend about your condition , your location ( for example , that you are in the hospital ), or death .
As Required by Law . The plans will disclose your PHI when required to do so by Federal , State , or local law , including those that require the reporting of certain types of wounds or physical injuries .
To the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS ). The plans may disclose your PHI to HHS for the investigation or determination of compliance with privacy regulations .
Special Use and Disclosure Situations The plans may also use or disclose your PHI under the following circumstances :
Lawsuits and Disputes . If you become involved in a lawsuit or other legal action , the plans may disclose your PHI in response to a court or administrative order , a subpoena , warrant , discovery request , or other lawful due process .
Law Enforcement . The plans may release your PHI if asked to do so by a law enforcement official , for example , to identify or locate a suspect , material witness , or missing person or to report a crime , the crime ’ s location or victims . Or the identity , description , or location of the person who committed the crime .
Workers Compensation . The plans may disclose your PHI to the extent authorized by and to the extent necessary to comply with workers compensation laws and other similar programs .
Military and Veterans . If you are or become a member of the U . S . armed forces , the plans may release medical information about you as deemed necessary by military authorities .
Health-Related Benefits and Services . The plans may use and disclose your PHI to tell you about health-related benefits or services that may be of interest to you .
To Avert Serious Threat to Health or Safety . The plans may use and disclose your PHI when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety , or the health and safety of the public or another person .
Public Health Risks . The plans may disclose health information about you for public health activities . These activities include preventing or controlling disease , injury or disability ; reporting births and deaths ; reporting child abuse or neglect ; or reporting reactions to medication or problems with medical products or to notify people of recalls of products they have been using .
Health Oversight Activities . The plans may disclose your PHI to a health oversight agency for audits , investigations , inspections , and licensure necessary for the government to monitor the health care system and government programs .
Research . Under certain circumstances , the plans may use and disclose your PHI for medical research purposes .
National Security , Intelligence Activities , and Protective Services . The plans may release your PHI to authorized Federal officials : 1 ) for intelligence , counterintelligence , and other national security activities authorized by law and 2 ) to enable them to provide protection to the members of the U . S . government or foreign heads of state , or to conduct special investigations .
Organ and Tissue Donation . If you are an organ donor , the plans may release medical information to organizations that handle organ procurement or organ , eye , or tissue transplantation or to an organ donation bank to facilitate organ or tissue donation and transplantation .
Coroners , Medical Examiners , and Funeral Directors . The plans may release your PHI to a coroner or medical examiner . This may be necessary , for example , to identify a deceased person or to determine the cause of death . The plans may also release your PHI to a funeral director , as necessary , to carry out his or her duty .
Your Rights Regarding Health Information About You Your rights regarding the health information the plans maintain about are as follows :
Right to Inspect and Copy . You have the right to inspect and copy your PHI . This includes information about your plan eligibility , claim and appeal records , and billing records , but does not include psychotherapy notes . To inspect and copy health information maintained by the plans , submit your request in writing to the Privacy Officer . The plans may charge a fee for the cost of copying and / or mailing your request . In limited circumstances , the plans may deny your request to inspect and coy your PHI . Generally , if you are denied access to health information , you may request a review of the denial .
Right to Amend . If you feel that health information the plans have about you is incorrect or incomplete , you may ask to amend it . You have the right to request an amendment for as long as the information is kept by or for the plans . To request an amendment , send a detailed request in writing to the Privacy
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