Effective Date of this Notice: April 14, 2003
Cooper Clinic, P.A.
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

    As required by the Privacy Regulations Created as a Result of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU (AS A PATIENT OF THIS PRACTICE) MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED, AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO YOUR Protected Health Information.PLEASE REVIEW THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY.

    OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR PRIVACY

    Cooper Clinic is dedicated to maintaining the privacy of your Protected Health Information (PHI). In conducting our business, we will create records regarding you and the treatment and services we provide to you. We are required by law to maintain the confidentiality of health information that identifies you. We also are required by law to provide you with this notice of our legal duties and the privacy practices that we maintain in our practice concerning your PHI. By federal and state law, we must follow the terms of the Notice of Privacy Practices that we have in effect at the time.

    We realize that these laws are complicated, but we must provide you with the following important information:
    · How we may use and disclose your PHI
    · Your privacy rights in your PHI
    · Our obligations concerning the use and disclosure of your PHI

    The terms of this notice apply to all records containing your PHI that are created or retained by our practice. We reserve the right to revise or amend this Notice of Privacy Practices. Any revision or amendment to this notice will be effective for all of your records that our practice has created or maintained in the past, and for any of your records that we may create or maintain in the future. Our practice will post a copy of the current Notice in our offices in a visible location at all times, and you may request a copy of our most current Notice at any time.

    IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS NOTICE, PLEASE CONTACT:

    David Griesse, Privacy Officer, 479-452-2077, Ext. 1003.

    WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR Protected Health Information (PHI) IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS.

    The following categories describe the different ways in which we may use and disclose your PHI.

    1. Treatment.
    Cooper Clinic may use your PHI to treat you. For example, we may ask you to have laboratory tests (such as blood or urine tests), and we may use the results to help us reach a diagnosis. We might use your PHI in order to write a prescription for you. Many of the people who work for our practice, including, but not limited to, our doctors and nurses may use or disclose your PHI in order to treat you or to assist others in your treatment. Additionally, we may disclose your PHI to others who may assist in your care, such as your spouse, children, or parents. Finally we may also disclose your PHI to other health care providers for purposes related to your treatment.

    2. Payment.
    Cooper Clinic may use and disclose your PHI in order to bill and collect payment for the services and items you may receive from us. For example, we may contact your health insurer to certify that you are eligible for benefits (and for what range of benefits), and we may provide your insurer details regarding your treatment to determine if your insurer will cover, or pay for, your treatment. We also may use and disclose your PHI to obtain payment from third parties who may be responsible for such costs. Also, we may use your PHI to bill you directly for services and items. We may disclose your PHI to other health care providers and entities to assist in their billing and collection efforts.

    3. Health Care Operations.
    Cooper Clinic may use and disclose your PHI to operate our business. As examples of the ways in which we may use and disclose your information for our operations, our practice may use your PHI to evaluate the quality of care you received from us, or to conduct cost management and business planning activities for our practice. We may disclose your PHI to other health care providers and entities to assist in their health care operations.

    4. Appointment Reminders.
    Cooper Clinic may use and disclose your PHI to contact and
    remind you of an appointment unless restricted by you on the Limitations and Restrictions of Protected Health Information.

    5. Treatment Options.
    Cooper Clinic may use and disclose your PHI to inform you of
    potential treatment options or alternatives, unless restricted by you on the Limitations and Restrictions of Protected Health Information.

    6. Disclosure Required By Law.
    Cooper Clinic will use and disclose your PHI when we
    are required to do so by federal, state or local law.

    USE AND DISCLOSURE OF YOUR PHI IN CERTAIN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

    The following categories describe unique scenarios in which we may use or disclose your Individual Identifiable Health Information.

    1. Public Health Risks.
    Cooper Clinic may disclose your PHI to Public Health authorities
    that are authorized by law to collect information for the purpose of:· maintaining vital records, such as births and deaths
    · reporting child abuse or neglect
    · preventing or controlling disease, injury or disability
    · notifying a person regarding potential exposure to a communicable disease
    · notifying a person regarding a potential risk for spreading or contracting a disease or condition
    · reporting reactions to drugs or problems with products or devices
    · notifying individuals if a product or device they may be using has been recalled
    · notifying appropriate government agency(ies) and authority(ies) regarding the potential abuse or neglect of an adult patient (including domestic violence); however, we will only disclose this information if the patient agrees or we are required or authorized by law to disclose this information
    · notifying your employer under limited circumstances related primarily to workplace injury or illness or medical surveillance

    2. Health Oversight Activities.
    Cooper Clinic may disclose your PHI to a health oversight
    agency for activities authorized by law. Oversight activities may include, for example, investigations, inspections, audits, surveys, licensure and disciplinary actions; civil, administrative, and criminal procedure or actions; or other activities necessary for the government to monitor government programs, compliance with civil rights laws and the health care system in general.

    3. Lawsuits and Similar Proceedings.
    Cooper Clinic may use and disclose your PHI in response to a court or administrative order, if you are involved in a lawsuit or similar proceeding. We also may disclose your PHI in response to a discovery request, subpoena, or other lawful process by another party involved in the dispute, but only if we have a made an effort to inform you of the request or to obtain an order protecting the information the party has requested.

    4. Law Enforcement.
    Cooper Clinic may release PHI if asked to do so by a law
    enforcement official:· Regarding a crime victim in certain situations, if we are unable to obtain the person's agreement
    · Concerning a death we believe has resulted from criminal conduct
    · Regarding criminal conduct at our offices
    · In response to a warrant, summons, court order, subpoena or similar legal process
    · To identify/locate a suspect, material witness, fugitive or missing person
    · In an emergency, to report a crime (including the location or victim(s) of the crime or the description, identity or location of the perpetrator)

    5. Deceased Patients.
    Cooper Clinic may release PHI to a medical examiner or coroner to identify a deceased individual or to identify the cause of death. If necessary, we also may release information in order for funeral directors to perform their jobs.

    6. Organ and Tissue Donation.
    Cooper Clinic may release your PHI to organizations that handle organ, eye or tissue procurement or transplantation, including organ donation banks, as necessary to facilitate organ or tissue donation and transplantation if you are an organ donor.

    7. Research.
    Cooper Clinic may use and disclose your PHI for research purposes in certain limited circumstances. We will obtain your written authorization to use your PHI for research purposes except when an Institutional Review Board or Privacy Board has determined that that waiver of your authorization satisfies the following: (i) the use or disclosure involves no more than a minimal risk to the individual's privacy based on the following: (A) an adequate plan to protect the identifiers from improper use and disclosure; (B) an adequate plan to destroy the identifiers at the earliest opportunity consistent with the research (unless there is a health or research justification for retaining the identifiers or such retention is otherwise required by law): and (C) adequate written assurances that Personal Health Information will not be re-used or disclosed to any other person or entity (except as required by law) for authorized oversight of the research study, or for other research or which the use or disclosure would otherwise be permitted;(ii) the research could not practicably be conducted without the waiver; and (iii) the research could not practicably be conducted without access to and use of the PHI.

    8. Serious Threats to Health or Safety.
    Cooper Clinic may use and disclose your PHI when necessary to reduce or prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of another individual or the public. Under these circumstances, we will only make disclosures to a person or organization able to help prevent the threat.

    9. Military.
    Cooper Clinic may disclose your PHI if you are a member of U.S. or foreign military forces (including veterans) and if required by the appropriate authorities.

    10. National Security.
    Cooper Clinic may disclose your PHI to federal officials for intelligence and national security activities authorized by law. We also may disclose your PHI to federal officials in order to protect the President, other officials or foreign heads of state, or to conduct investigations.

    11. Inmates.
    Cooper Clinic may disclose your PHI to correctional institutions or law enforcement officials if you are an inmate or under custody of a law enforcement official. Disclosure for these purposes would be necessary: (a) for the institution to provide health care services to you, (b) for the safety and security of the institution, and/or (c) to protect your health and safety or the
    health and safety of other individuals.

    12. Worker's Compensation.
    Cooper Clinic may release your PHI for workers' compensation
    and similar programs.

    YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR PHI
    You have the following rights regarding the PHI that we maintain about you:

    1. Confidential Communications.
    You must request in writing a request for Limitations and Restrictions of Protected Health Information that Cooper Clinic communicate with you about your health and related issues in a particular manner or at a certain location. For instance, you may ask that we contact you at home, rather than work. In order to request a specific type of confidential communication, you must complete a written request, specifying the requested method of contact, or location where you wish to be contacted. Our clinic will attempt to accommodate any reasonable request. Please contact the Medical Record Department at 479-452-2077, Ext. 1202, to obtain a request form. Send your completed request form to Cooper Clinic, Attn: David Griesse, P.O. Box 3528, Fort Smith, AR 72913. If you prefer, you may present this request form to the receptionist at the time of your visit.

    2. Requesting Restrictions.
    You have the right to request a restriction in our use or disclosure of your PHI treatment, payment or health care operations. Additionally, you have the right to request that we restrict our disclosure of your PHI to only certain individuals involved in your care or the payment for your care, such as family members, and friends. We are not required to agree with your request: however, if we do agree, we are bound by our agreement except when otherwise required by law, in emergencies, or when the information is necessary to treat you. In order to request a restriction in our use or disclosure of your PHI, you must make your request in writing to David Griesse, Privacy Officer, P.O. Box 3528, Fort Smith, AR 72913. Your request must describe in a clear and concise fashion:(a) the information you wish restricted (b) whether you are requesting to limit our practice's use, disclosure or both; and (c) to whom you want the limits to apply.

    3. Inspection and Copies.
    You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of the PHI that may be used to make decisions about you, including patient medical records and billing records, but not including psychotherapy notes. In order to inspect and/or obtain a copy of your PHI, you must submit your request in writing to Cooper Clinic Medical Records Department, P.O. Box 3528, 6801 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72913. There may be a fee for the costs of copying, mailing, labor and supplies associated with your request. The Clinic may deny your request to inspect and/or copy in certain limited circumstances; however, you may request a review of our denial. Another licensed health care professional chosen by us will conduct the review.

    4. Amendment.
    You may ask us to amend your health information if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete, and you may request an amendment for as long as the information is kept by or for our practice. To request an amendment, your request must be made in writing and submitted to the Medical Records Department, P.O. Box 3528, 6801 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72913. You must provide us with a reason that supports your request for amendment. Our practice will deny your request if you fail to submit your request (and the reason supporting your request) in writing. Also, we may deny your request if you ask us to amend information that is in our opinion: (a) accurate or complete; (b) not part of the PHI kept by or for the practice;(c) not part of the PHI which you would be permitted to inspect and copy; or (d) not created by our practice, unless the individual or entity that created the information is not available to amend the information.

    5. Accounting of Disclosures.
    Patients have the right to request an "accounting of disclosures." An "accounting of disclosures" is a list of certain non-routine disclosures our clinic has made of your PHI for non-treatment or operations purposes. Use of your PHI as part of the routine patient care in the clinic is not required to be documented. For example, the doctor shares information with the nurse; or the billing department using your information to file your insurance claim. In order to obtain an accounting of disclosures, you must submit your request in writing to Medical Records Department, P.O. Box 3528, 6801 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72913. All requests for an "accounting of disclosures" must state a time period, which may not be longer than six (6) years from the date of disclosure and may not include dates before April 14, 2003. The first list you request within a 12-month period is free of charge, but our clinic may charge you for additional lists within the same 12-month period. Our practice will notify you of the costs involved with additional requests, and you may withdraw your request before you incur any costs.

    6. Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice.
    You are entitled to receive a paper copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices. You may ask us to give you a copy of this notice at any time. To obtain a paper copy of this notice, contact the Medical Records Department, 479-452-2077, Ext. 1202.7. Right to File a Complaint. If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with the clinic or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. We urge you file your complaint with us first and give us the
    opportunity to address your concerns. All complaints must be submitted in writing to, David Griesse, Privacy Officer, P.O. Box 3528, Fort Smith, AR 72913. You will not bepenalized for filing a complaint.

    8. Right to Provide an Authorization for Other Uses and Disclosures.
    Cooper Clinic will obtain your written authorization for uses and disclosures that are not identified by this notice or permitted by applicable law. Any authorization you provide to us regarding the use and disclosure of your PHI may be revoked at any time in writing. After you revoke your authorization, we will no longer use or disclose your PHI for the reasons described in
    the authorization. Please note we are required to retain records of your care.

    Again, if you have any questions regarding this notice or our health information privacy policies, please contact David Griesse, Privacy Officer, 479-452-2077, Ext 1003.