SUNBRIDGE HOME HEALTH CARE
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
Effective Date: 5.29.2025
1313 13th Ave SE, Decatur, AL 35601
Privacy Officer: Braden Ladner
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.
PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how Sunbridge Home Health Care, our business associates, and their subcontractors may use and disclose your protected health information (PHI) to carry out treatment, payment, or health care operations (TPO), and for other purposes permitted or required by law. It also describes your rights to access and control your PHI.
Protected health information is any information about you that may identify you and relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition and related health care services.
USES AND DISCLOSURES OF PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION
Your PHI may be used and disclosed by our staff and others involved in your care for the purposes of:
Treatment:
To provide, coordinate, or manage your health care. For example, information may be shared with your physician, home health nurse, physical therapist, or other involved professionals.
Payment:
To bill and receive payment for services rendered. For example, your health plan may require access to your medical information for authorization or reimbursement purposes.
Health Care Operations:
To support the business activities of Sunbridge Home Health Care. This includes quality improvement, training, licensing, auditing, and other administrative duties. We may use sign-in sheets, call your name in waiting areas, or contact you about appointments and services.
OTHER USES AND DISCLOSURES PERMITTED BY LAW
We may also disclose your PHI without your written authorization when required by law, such as:
• Public health reporting (e.g., communicable diseases)
• Health oversight agencies (e.g., audits, inspections)
• Abuse, neglect, or domestic violence reporting
• Legal proceedings and law enforcement
• Organ and tissue donation
• Workers’ compensation
• National security
• Medical examiners, coroners, and funeral directors
We must also provide your PHI to you upon request and to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services when required for HIPAA compliance investigations.
USES AND DISCLOSURES THAT REQUIRE YOUR AUTHORIZATION
We must obtain your written authorization for:
• Most marketing purposes
• The sale of your PHI
• Use of psychotherapy notes (if applicable)
• Any use or disclosure of genetic information for underwriting
You may revoke your authorization at any time.
YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION
You have the right to:
• Inspect and copy your medical records (fees may apply).
• Request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures.
• Request confidential communications (e.g., to a different address or phone number).
• Request amendments to your PHI.
• Receive an accounting of disclosures.
• Receive notice of a breach involving your PHI.
• Receive a paper copy of this notice, even if received electronically.
MINIMUM NECESSARY RULE
We only use or disclose the minimum amount of PHI necessary to perform our duties. Our staff are trained in HIPAA regulations and bound by confidentiality policies.
INCIDENTAL DISCLOSURES
We take reasonable precautions to prevent incidental disclosures of PHI and implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards such as password protections, restricted access, and secured storage of records.
BREACH NOTIFICATION
If a breach of your PHI occurs, we will evaluate the situation under the HIPAA Omnibus Rule and notify you in accordance with federal law.
CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE
We reserve the right to change the terms of this Notice and apply those changes to all PHI we maintain. Updated notices will be posted in our office and on our website, and available upon request.
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
If you request us to fax, email, or text your PHI, you assume responsibility for the security of the communication. Our emails and texts are not encrypted and may carry a risk of disclosure. You must sign an acknowledgment if you choose this form of communication.
MARKETING AND FUNDRAISING
We do not use your information for marketing or fundraising without your written authorization. If we engage in any fundraising, you will be given the opportunity to opt out.
QUESTIONS OR COMPLAINTS
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.
Contact U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by sending a letter to:
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20201, calling 1-877-696-6775,
or visiting www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints
To contact our Privacy Officer:
Braden Ladner
Sunbridge Home Health Care
1313 13th Ave SE
Decatur, AL 35601
Phone: 256.580.5800