Disclaimer, Privacy & Terms of Use 

The following categories describe different ways we use and disclose health information that identifies you (“Health Information”). For each category we will explain what we mean and try to give some examples. Not every use or disclosure in a category will be listed. However, all of the ways we are permitted to use and disclose information will fall within one of the categories.

Treatment: We may use and disclose Health Information for your treatment and to provide you with treatment related health care services. For example, we may disclose your Health Information to doctors, nurses, technicians, or other personnel, including people outside our office, who need the information to provide you with medical care.

Payment: We may use and disclose your Health Information so that we or others may bill and receive payment from you, an insurance company or a third party for the treatment and services you received. For example, we may give your health plan information about services you received at our office so your health plan will pay us or reimburse you for the services.

Health Care Operations: We may use and disclose Health Information for health care operations. These uses and disclosures are necessary to make sure that our patients receive quality care and to operate and manage our office. For example, we may use Health Information to review our treatment and services and to evaluate the performance of our staff in caring for you.

Business Associates: We may disclose Health Information to our contracted Business Associates that perform functions on our behalf. For example, we may use another company to perform billing services.

Appointment Reminders: Treatment Alternatives and Health-Related Benefits and Services. As part of treatment activities or health care operations, we may use your Health Information to contact you as a reminder that you have an appointment with us. We also may use Health Information to tell you about treatment alternatives or health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you.

Fundraising: We may use and disclose limited Health Information to send you fundraising communications.  You have the right to “opt-out” of receiving these communications at any time.

Individuals Involved In Your Care or Payment for Your Care: When appropriate, we may share your Health Information with a person who is involved in your medical care or payment of your care, such as your family or a close friend, so long as you have not objected and it is reasonable for us to believe that such disclosure is in your best interest. We also may notify your family about your location or general condition or disclose such information to an entity assisting in a disaster relief effort.

Research: Under certain circumstances, we may use and disclose Health Information for research activities. For example, a research project may involve comparing the health of patients who received another treatment for the same condition. Before we use or disclose Health Information for research, the project will go through a special approval process.

• To avert a serious threat to health or safety against you, the public, or another person. 
• For public health and administrative oversight activities such as disease control, abuse or neglect reporting, health and vital statistics, audits, investigations, and licensure reviews.
• For organ and tissue donation and transplant activities.
• For workers’ compensation or similar programs purposes, such as for the payment of benefits for work related injuries.
• To coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors to identify a deceased person, determine cause of death, or to carry out duties.
• For judicial and administrative proceedings in response to a subpoena, court order, or administrative order, if certain requirements are met.
• For law enforcement activities, if the disclosure is required by law, necessary to identify or locate a suspect or missing person, about criminal conduct on our premises, about inmates, about victims of crime under certain circumstances, and in certain emergency situations.
• For U.S. military and veteran reporting obligations regarding members and veterans of the armed forces of U.S. or foreign military.
• For national security and intelligence activities, such as protective services for the President and other authorized persons.
• When otherwise required by law.

State and Other Federal Laws: We will comply with all applicable state and federal laws. For example, under Michigan law, there are more limits on the disclosure of mental health information, substance abuse information, and HIV and AIDS information. We will continue to abide by all applicable state and federal laws. 

Other Uses of Medical Information Require Authorization: Other uses and disclosures of your Health Information that are not covered by this Notice will be made only with your authorization, including for marketing purposes or sale of Health Information. A written authorization is also required for most uses or disclosures of psychotherapy notes.  If you provide us with an authorization to use or disclose your Health Information, you may revoke that authorization, in writing, at any time. If you revoke your authorization, we will no longer use or disclose your Health Information for the reasons covered by the written authorization. You understand that we are unable to take back disclosures we have already made with your authorization, and that we are required to retain our records of the care that we provide for you.