Notice of Privacy Practices

Use and Disclosure of Health Information

Ascent Outpatient may use and disclose your medical information to provide treatment, obtain payment for services, and conduct healthcare operations. Examples include reviewing records to ensure appropriate care, billing activities, appointment reminders, and quality improvement activities. Use and disclosure of information is limited to these purposes unless otherwise required by law or authorized by you.

Mandatory Reporting

Federal and state laws require the reporting of suspected abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or threats of harm to appropriate protective agencies. When such reports are made, disclosures will generally be shared with you or your legal representative unless doing so would increase risk of harm.

Minimum Necessary Standard

When medical information is used or disclosed, only the minimum necessary information will be shared, except as permitted or required by law. You may request an accounting of disclosures made for purposes other than treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.

Access to Medical Records

You or your legal representative may request access to your medical records or request that records be disclosed to another person or entity. Requests must be made in writing and clearly identify the information requested, the recipient, the purpose, and an expiration date. You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time. Requests are processed within 30 days, or within 60 days if records are stored off-site.

Requests for Amendment

You may request corrections or amendments to your medical records. Requests may be denied as permitted by law.

Denial of Access

Access to medical records may be denied if disclosure could endanger your life or physical safety or that of another person, if the information references another individual (other than a healthcare provider), or if disclosure to a legal representative could result in harm.

Right to Review a Denial

If a request for access is denied, you may request a review of the decision. The review will be conducted by a licensed healthcare provider who was not involved in the original decision, and a written decision will be issued within 30 days.

Requests for Restrictions

You may request restrictions on how your medical information is used or disclosed. Ascent Outpatient is not required to agree to requested restrictions. If a restriction is agreed upon, it will be honored until revoked by you or required by law or emergency circumstances.

Privacy Complaints

You may file a complaint regarding privacy concerns with Ascent Outpatient or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint.

Changes to This Notice

This Notice of Privacy Practices may be modified as required by law or during healthcare operations. Updated notices will be made available.