HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP)
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.
1. Introduction
Next Generation Wellness, LLC (NGW) is committed to protecting your health information. NGW is required by law to maintain the privacy of Protected Health Information (PHI). PHI includes any identifiable information obtained from you or others that relates to your physical or mental health, the health care you have received, or payment for health care. As required by law, this notice provides information about your rights and our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to the privacy of PHI. In order to provide treatment or to pay for your health care, NGW will ask for certain health information, which will be added to your record. This record typically contains your symptoms, examination and test results, diagnoses, and treatment. This information, referred to as your health or medical record, and legally regulated as health information, may be used for a variety of purposes. NGW and its Business Associates are required to follow the privacy practices described in this notice. However, NGW reserves the right to change our privacy practices and the terms of this notice at any time.
2. Permitted use & disclosures
Next Generation Wellness, LLC (NGW) employees will only use your health information when doing their jobs. For uses beyond what NGW normally does, NGW must have your written authorization unless the law permits or requires it, and you may revoke such authorization with limited exceptions. Below are examples of possible uses and disclosures of your health information:
Uses and Disclosures Without Consent Relating to Treatment, Payment, or Health Care Operations
- For treatment: NGW may use or share your health information to approve or deny treatment and to determine if your medical treatment is appropriate. For example, NGW health care providers may need to review your treatment with your health care provider for medical necessity or for coordination of care.
- To obtain payment: NGW may use and share your health information in order to bill and collect payment for your health care services and to determine your eligibility to participate in our services. For example, your health care provider may send claims for payment of medical services provided to you.
- For health care operations: NGW may use and share your health information to evaluate the quality of services provided or to share with state or federal auditors.
Other Uses and Disclosures of Health Information Required or Permitted by Law
Information purposes: Unless you provide alternative instructions, NGW may send appointment reminders and other materials about the program to your home.
Required by law: NGW may disclose health information when a law requires it.
Public health activities: NGW may disclose health information when required to collect or report information about diseases, injuries, or to report vital statistics to public health authorities.
Health oversight activities: NGW may disclose your health information to agencies for audits, inspections, investigations, and licensure as required by law.
Coroners, medical examiners, funeral directors, and organ donations: NGW may disclose health information related to a death to these entities or for organ, eye, or tissue donations.
Research purposes: Under supervision of a privacy board, NGW may disclose health information for medical research.
Avert threat to health or safety: NGW may disclose health information to law enforcement or others to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.
Abuse and neglect: NGW will disclose health information to authorities if there is reason to believe you may be a victim of abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or other crimes.
Specific government functions: NGW may disclose health information of military personnel, veterans, correctional facilities, government benefit programs, or for national security reasons, such as protecting the President.
Family, friends, or others involved in your care: NGW may share your health information with individuals directly involved in your care or payment for your care and to notify them of your location, condition, or death.
Worker’s compensation: NGW may disclose health information to worker’s compensation programs for work-related injuries or illnesses.
Patient directories: NGW generally does not maintain directories for disclosures to callers or visitors. If such a directory exists, limited information may be disclosed (e.g., name, location, general condition, or religious affiliation) with your authorization.
Lawsuits, disputes, and claims: NGW may disclose your health information in response to court or administrative orders, subpoenas, or other lawful processes.
Law enforcement: NGW may disclose health information to law enforcement officials as required by law or in response to a subpoena.
Other parties for conducting permitted activities: NGW may use third parties (Business Associates) to perform certain activities. These third parties are required to protect your health information under a privacy agreement.
Fundraising activities: NGW may use your contact information (name, address, telephone number, and dates of treatment) to contact you for fundraising purposes.
3. your rights
You Have a Right to:
Receive protection of mental health records: If mental health records are disclosed without your authorization, NGW will only release the information relevant to the purpose of the disclosure.
Request restrictions: You have the right to request a restriction or limitation on the health information NGW uses or discloses about you. NGW will accommodate your request if possible but is not legally required to agree to the requested restriction. However, NGW must comply with your request if the disclosure is to a health plan for payment or health care operations (not treatment) and the PHI pertains to a health care service you have paid for in full out of pocket.
Request confidential communication: You can ask NGW to send you information at an alternative address or by alternative means. NGW must agree as long as it is reasonably practical to do so.
Inspect and copy: You have the right to view your health information, with certain exceptions (e.g., psychotherapy notes, information for legal proceedings, or information restricted by law). You may request copies of your health information and may be charged a reasonable fee for copying, postage, or preparation. If NGW maintains your health information electronically, it will be provided in electronic format upon request and can be transmitted to a designated entity or person.
Request amendment: You may request in writing that NGW correct or add to your health record. NGW will respond within 60 days (with a possible 30-day extension). Requests may be denied if NGW determines the information is correct, complete, not created by NGW, or not part of NGW’s records. If approved, NGW will update your record and inform others who need to know.
Require authorization: You have the right to require authorization for most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes, marketing communications, and the sale of your PHI.
Receive accounting of disclosures: You can request a list of disclosures made of your health information (after April 14, 2003, and within six years prior to your request). Exceptions include disclosures for treatment, payment, health care operations, national security, law enforcement, or correctional facilities. NGW will provide an accounting of disclosures made through electronic health records for treatment, payment, and health care operations, limited to three years prior to the request date.
Opt-out: You can opt-out of fundraising communications, NGW’s patient directory, and Maryland’s Health Information Exchange (CRISP).
Receive notice: You have the right to receive a paper copy or an electronic copy of this Notice upon request.
Receive breach notification: NGW will notify you if a breach of your unsecured PHI occurs.
Receive protection of genetic information: If NGW operates as a health plan, it is prohibited from using or disclosing genetic information for underwriting purposes.
Receive protection of mental health records: If mental health records are disclosed without your authorization, NGW will only release the information relevant to the purpose of the disclosure.
For more information:
This document is available in other languages and alternative formats that meet the guidelines for the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you have questions and would like more information, you may contact:
Cesar Larrea
NGW – Chief Operating Officer
Office: 301-351-8751
If you believe that your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.
To Report a Problem about our Privacy Practices:
If you believe that your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint.
You can file a complaint with the Next Generation Wellness, COO Office: 301-351-8751
You can file a complaint with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, office for Civil Rights. You may call the Next Generation Wellness number for the contact information.
NGW will take no retaliatory action against you if you make such complaints
Effective Date: This notice is effective on December 16, 2024