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ENT ASSOCIATES OF
SOUTH ATLANTA’S COMPLIANCE OBLIGATIONS
ENT
ASSOCIATES OF SOUTH ATLANTA has a lawful duty to maintain the privacy
of all patient health information.
A. ENT
ASSOCIATES OF SOUTH ATLANTA must provide the patient with a notice of
our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to information we
collect about the patient through this notice.
B. ENT
ASSOCIATES OF SOUTH ATLANTA must accommodate reasonable requests
patients may have to communicate health information by alternative
means or at alternative locations.
C. ENT
ASSOCIATES OF SOUTH ATLANTA must notify the patient if we are unable
to agree to a requested restriction.
D. ENT
ASSOCIATES OF SOUTH ATLANTA must abide by the terms of the Notice of
Privacy Practices.
II. PRIVATE
INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
A.
Protected Health Information may be disclosed for treatment.
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1. All physicians, audiologists, nurses, and
clinical staff involved in patient care may review, add, or record
information into the patient’s record about the patient’s care
and/or plan of care as necessary. |
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2. If the
patient has been referred to ENT Associates of South Atlanta, ENT
Associates of South Atlanta may send copies of the medical record
or findings to the provider who referred the patient in order to
provide updated treatment information about the patient’s care.
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3. ENT
Associates of South Atlanta will provide another physician, or
healthcare provider who is treating the patient, with copies of
various reports or test results from the medical record that will
help him or her in treating the patient.
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B. Protected Health Information may be disclosed to State or
Federal Agencies.
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1. As required by law, patient health
information may be disclosed to the following entities: |
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a. Food and Drug Administration
b. Public Health or Legal Authorities
c. Workers Compensation Agents
d. Organ & Tissue Donation Organizers
e. Military Command Authorities
f. Health Oversight Agencies
g. National Security & Intelligence Agencies
h. Law Enforcement as Required. |
C. Protected Health Information may be disclosed for
payment.
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1. Third Party Agencies |
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a. Billing - A bill will be sent to the patient or
insurance carrier. The information on the bill may include
information that identifies the patient, as well as diagnosis,
procedure(s), healthcare providers, and supplies used. |
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b.
Authorization - The patient’s insurance company will be contacted
for any services requiring pre-payment notification. During this
process, patient’s information, diagnosis, procedure(s), and
healthcare providers will be disclosed. |
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2. Patient/Family |
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A bill will be sent to the patient for any unpaid
services rendered to the patient. This bill may contain dates of
the service performed as well as the name or procedure code
of the service performed along with the ENT Center’s name and name
of the provider of service. |
D. Other
Disclosure of Patient Health Information
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1. The doctors, nurses, clinical staff,
administration and Quality Assurance Committee may review a
patient’s health information to assess healthcare quality issues. |
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2. The office
may call or send a letter to remind the patient about an
appointment.
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3. The office
may call the patient regarding follow-up with diagnostic testing
results.
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4. Provide
information about other treatment and care that could benefit the
patient’s health. |
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5. Health
professionals, using their best judgment, may disclose health
information about the patient’s care, or payment issues related to
the patient’s care, to a family member, close personal friend, or
any other person identified by the patient to
get this information (prior written consent given by the patient).
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III. PRACTICE
DISCLOSURE OBLIGATION
A.
ENT Associates of South Atlanta has a lawful and ethical obligation to
maintain and observe all patient information in a respectful,
reasonable, and confidential manner.
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1. Maintain the privacy of the patient’s health
information in a secure manner. |
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2. Provide the
patient with a notice of our legal duties and privacy practices
with respect to information we collect about the patient through
this notice.
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3. Accommodate reasonable requests patients may have to
communicate health information by alternative means or at
alternative locations. |
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4. Notify the
patient if we are unable to agree to a requested restriction. |
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5. Abide by
the terms of the Notice of Privacy Practices. |
IV. PATIENT
COMPLAINTS AND VIOLATION OF PATIENT INFORMATION
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1. Patients and employees have the right to
report a violation of a compliance law or a privacy violation.
The ENT Associates of South Atlanta has compliant forms available
in the Administrative Offices. Anyone may complain of a
compliance or a privacy violation to the ENT Associates of South
Atlanta’s Compliance Officer or to the Secretary of the Department
of Health and Human Services. |
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2. Patient
and Employees are encouraged to contact the Compliance Officer
directly for any violation of Patient Privacy at PO Box 838,
Tucker, GA 30085. All complaints will be investigated by the
Compliance Officer.
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3. Patients
and/or employees will not be penalized for filing a complaint. |
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4. It is
against the law to cause problems for anyone who does file a
complaint. Reported items will be investigated, and appropriate
action will be taken. There will not be any repercussions taken
against an employee who asks to have an issue investigated.
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5. Patients
and Employees are encouraged to share information they believe is
relevant for federal regulation compliance. They are not required
to identify themselves. Confidentiality regarding an issue will
be protected.
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6. ENT
ASSOCIATES OF SOUTH ATLANTA is obligated under law to report any
violations of the law if material facts and evidence is provided. |
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