PRIVACY POLICY
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
Effective Date: 09/16/2023
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This notice describes how your medical information may be used and disclosed, and how you can access this information. Please review it carefully.
Our Commitment to Your Privacy
At Local MD Urgent Care, the privacy of your health information is a priority. We understand that your health information is personal, and we are committed to protecting it. We create a record of the care and services you receive at our facility to ensure we provide you with high-quality care and meet legal and regulatory requirements. This notice details how we may use or share your health information, as well as your rights regarding it.
Who This Notice Applies To
This notice applies to all Local MD Urgent Care staff, healthcare professionals, employees, and associates involved in your care. It also applies to any sharing of information between Local MD Urgent Care facilities and locations. Your personal provider may have separate policies concerning the use and disclosure of your health information, which you can request from them.
How We Use and Disclose Your Health Information
Treatment: We may use or share your health information with healthcare professionals and staff involved in your care. For instance, your test results or medical records may be shared with specialists consulted to provide treatment. This also applies to individuals in law enforcement custody or correctional institutions for the purposes of providing healthcare and maintaining the safety of the facility.
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Payment: Your health information may be shared with your insurance company or other payers to process claims for the services you receive. For example, we may need to provide details of your treatment to your health insurance provider to obtain payment.
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Healthcare Operations: We use your health information to manage and improve the quality of care we provide, such as reviewing staff performance and conducting training programs. We may also combine your health information with that of other patients to improve services and evaluate trends in treatment effectiveness.
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Reminders and Notifications: We may use your contact information to send reminders about appointments, follow-up care, or changes in our services (e.g., new locations or business hours).
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Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment: We may disclose your health information to family members, close friends, or anyone you designate, as it relates to their involvement in your care or payment for services. We may use professional judgment to determine when disclosures are appropriate. If you wish to restrict such disclosures, please contact our Privacy Officer.
Other Uses and Disclosures
Public Health and Safety: We may disclose your health information when required by law to prevent or control diseases, report vital statistics, notify individuals about product recalls, or respond to other public health emergencies.
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Research: Under certain circumstances, we may use or disclose your health information for research purposes. All research projects are subject to a strict approval process, and your identifiable health information will only be used if we have your consent or as permitted by law.
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Law Enforcement: We may disclose health information to law enforcement officials when required by law or in response to legal processes such as subpoenas or court orders.
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Health Oversight: We may provide health information to regulatory agencies for purposes such as audits, inspections, and licensing to ensure compliance with healthcare laws and standards.
Workers’ Compensation: Your health information may be used to comply with workers’ compensation laws for job-related injuries or illnesses.
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Organ and Tissue Donation: We may share health information to facilitate organ or tissue donation and transplantation as required by law.
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Legal Proceedings: We may disclose your health information in response to court orders, administrative orders, or legal proceedings.
Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
You have the following rights under federal privacy laws:
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Access and Copies: You have the right to request access to or copies of your health information, with certain exceptions. You may be charged a fee for the costs of copying, mailing, or other supplies used to meet your request.
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Restrictions: You have the right to request restrictions on the use or disclosure of your health information. We will consider your request, but we are not required to agree to it, except in specific situations (e.g., services paid for out-of-pocket).
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Confidential Communications: You can request that we communicate with you about your health information in a specific manner or at a certain location. We will accommodate reasonable requests when possible.
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Amendments: If you believe the health information we have about you is incorrect or incomplete, you have the right to request an amendment. We may deny your request under certain circumstances, but you will receive a written explanation if we do.
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Accounting of Disclosures: You can request an accounting of certain disclosures of your health information. This does not include disclosures made for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
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Notification of Breach: If there is a breach of your unsecured health information, we will notify you as required by law.
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Paper Copy of Notice: You are entitled to a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically.
Our Responsibilities
We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your health information and provide you with this notice. We must abide by the terms of this notice but reserve the right to make changes. Any changes will apply to all health information we maintain.
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If you have any questions or concerns about this notice or our privacy practices, please contact our Privacy Officer.
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Contact Information:
Local MD Urgent Care
Attn: Privacy Officer
7441 W Wilson Ave, Harwood Heights, IL 60706, USA, Suite 102
708-922-0911
info@local-md.com