Notice of Privacy Practices

This notice describes how medical, dental, or other health information about you may be used and disclosed, and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.

HealthReach Community Health Centers is required by law to maintain the privacy of your health care information, and to provide you with a notice of HealthReach Community Health Centers’ privacy practices. While required to abide by the terms of the notice that is currently in effect, HealthReach Community Health Centers reserves the right to change HealthReach Community Health Centers’ privacy practices at any time. If HealthReach Community Health Centers’ privacy practices change, HealthReach Community Health Centers will provide you with a revised notice at your next visit following the change.

Use of Your Health Care Information
HealthReach Community Health Centers may use your information for treatment, payment, and health care operations. For example: Your information may be used to develop a diagnosis and treatment plan, or to coordinate referrals to another health care provider. Portions of your information may be submitted to your insurance carrier or other third-party payor to secure payment on your behalf. Your information may be used in the course of health care operations, such as for quality assurance, evaluation, training, or audit activities.

Persons whom we contract with to perform services on HealthReach Community Health Centers' behalf related to treatment, payment, or health care operations may also have access to your information solely for the purpose of providing such services, provided that the business associate has agreed in writing to maintain the confidentiality of such information.

HealthReach Community Health Centers may disclose information without your authorization as permitted or required by applicable law, including any of the following: to comply with public health statutes and rules; to make any required reports of abuse or neglect; to comply with health oversight activities by government agencies (for example, licensure); to comply with a court order, government subpoena, or other lawful process; for research purposes; in the event of your death, to a medical examiner; to avert a serious threat to health or safety; or for Workers’ Compensation purposes.

HealthReach Community Health Centers may use your information to contact you for appointment reminders, or confirm appointments by telephone unless you give us restrictions in writing. HealthReach Community Health Centers may disclose your health information to notify, or assist in the notification of a family member, your personal representative or another person responsible for your care.

Except as described above, HealthReach Community Health Centers will not use or disclose your information, except with your written authorization. You may revoke your authorization at any time by giving written notice of revocation to HealthReach Community Health Centers.

Your Rights
You have the right to request restrictions on the use and disclosure of your information. However, HealthReach Community Health Centers is not required to agree to a requested restriction, and it is HealthReach Community Health Centers’ policy not to agree to such restrictions unless HealthReach Community Health Centers determines, in HealthReach Community Health Centers’ sole discretion, that a compelling reason exists to do so.

You have the right to receive communications from HealthReach Community Health Centers in a confidential manner. If you would like HealthReach Community Health Centers to use another address or telephone number to contact you, you must request so in writing.

You have the right to receive an accounting of disclosures of your health care information that you have not authorized. To receive such an accounting, please contact HealthReach Community Health Centers at the address given below, allowing up to 30 days to process this request.

You have the right to inspect and copy your information. If you wish to do so, you will be provided an opportunity to inspect your information within 30 days of receipt of your written request. You may be charged reasonable costs of copying your information, or of preparing any summaries that you request.

You have the right to amend your health care information. If you wish to do so, please submit the proposed amendment in writing to HealthReach Community Health Centers at the address given below.

You have the right to a copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices upon request.

You have the right to complain to HealthReach Community Health Centers and to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. To file a complaint, please contact HealthReach Community Health Centers as set forth in this Notice. Nobody is permitted to retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

For further information about HealthReach Community Health Centers’ privacy policies please contact:

Sarah Firth
Compliance Officer
HealthReach Community Health Centers
P.O. Box 2167
Waterville, ME 04903-2167
207-465-3174