Privacy
Policy

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN ACCESS THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 mandates the strict confidentiality of your personal health information. This includes all medical and dental information used or disclosed by us in any format, whether electronic, written, or verbal. HIPAA grants you significant rights to understand and control how your health information is used and imposes penalties for the misuse of Protected Health Information (PHI).

PHI is any information about you, including demographic data that identifies you and your past, present, or future physical or mental health condition, as well as related healthcare services. This Privacy Policy outlines how we may use or disclose your PHI to provide treatment, payment, healthcare operations, or other purposes permitted or required by law. It also details your rights to access and control your PHI.

Uses and Disclosures of Protected Health Information

Your PHI may be used or disclosed by our physicians, office staff, or others involved in your care and treatment, whether providing healthcare services, processing your healthcare bills, supporting the operation of our practice, or any other lawful purpose.

Treatment: We will use and disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare and related services. This includes coordinating or managing your healthcare with a third party. For instance, your PHI may be shared with a referred physician to ensure they have the necessary information to diagnose or treat you.

Payment: Your PHI will be used as needed to obtain payment for healthcare services. For example, to get approval for a hospital stay, we may need to share relevant PHI with your health insurance plan.

Healthcare Operations: We may use or disclose your PHI to support our business activities, such as quality assessment, employee review, and other business activities. We may use a sign-in sheet at the registration desk, call you by name in our reception area, or contact you to remind you of appointments. This contact may be via phone, message, postcard, or letter. If you prefer a different method of contact, please inform us.

We may use or disclose your PHI without your authorization under certain circumstances, including:

Public health issues
Communicable diseases
Health oversight
Abuse or neglect
FDA requirements
Legal proceedings
Law enforcement
Coroners, funeral directors, and organ donation
Medical research
Criminal activity; prison inmates
Military activity and national security
Workers’ Compensation

Required Uses and Disclosures: We are legally required to disclose your PHI to you when investigated by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for HIPAA compliance. Other permitted uses and disclosures will be made only with your consent, authorization, or opportunity to object, unless required by law. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time, except where your physician or the practice has already taken action in reliance on the use or disclosure in your authorization.

Your Rights

Inspection and Copying: You have the right to inspect and copy your PHI. However, under federal law, you may not inspect or copy certain records, such as psychotherapy notes and information compiled for legal actions.

Request Restrictions: You can request restrictions on how your PHI is used or disclosed for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. You can also request that any part of your PHI not be disclosed to family or friends involved in your care. Your request must specify the restriction and to whom it applies. Note that your physician is not required to agree to your request if it is not in your best interest.

Confidential Communications: You have the right to request confidential communications by alternative means or at alternative locations. You can also request a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically.

Amendments: You have the right to request amendments to your PHI. If your request is denied, you can file a statement of disagreement, and we may prepare a rebuttal to your statement, which will be provided to you.

Accounting of Disclosures: You have the right to receive an accounting of certain disclosures of your PHI.

We reserve the right to change the terms of this Notice and will inform you of any changes. You then have the right to object or withdraw as provided in this Notice.

Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Complaints can be filed with our privacy officer at our office. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Gastroenterology of the Rockies, Attention Privacy Officer, 382 S Arthur Ave, Suite 100, Louisville, CO 80027

Phone: (303)604-5000 Fax: (720)890-0364 Email: privacyofficer@gastrorockies.com

This Notice was published and is effective on or before 1/1/2023.

Mobile Subscriber Information.

“Your Mobile Information will NEVER be shared with other parties under any circumstances.” This includes no sharing with third parties, affiliates, or for marketing or promotional purposes.

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