Restrictions

Right to Request Restrictions... 

• On uses or disclosures of PHI

  Patients have the right to request a restriction on certain uses and disclosures of their information for treatment, payment or health care operations, including but not restricted to disclosure to health plans or insurance companies. However, we are not required to agree to the patient's request, unless the request is to prevent us from sharing their information with their insurance company about a procedure that they had paid for in full and out-of-pocket. Patients must submit their request for restriction in writing on a form titled “Request for Special Restriction on Use or Disclosure of Protected Health Information.” All requests for these types of restrictions must be submitted in writing to Health Information Management (HIM) for processing. HIM department will partner with the Office of Corporate Compliance to review and process these requests and will respond to the requesting part accordingly.
   

• On uses or disclosures of PHI for individual involvement in patient care

  Patients have the right to request a limit on the health information we disclose about them to someone who is involved in their care or the payment for their care, like a family member or friend. For example, while a patient, they can request we not discuss their course of treatment with a particular family member in attendance. If we do agree, we will comply with their request unless the information is needed to provide them emergency treatment or as is otherwise required by law. They can speak directly with their health care provider concerning their request for these types of restrictions. Their health care provider may require that they submit their request in writing.
   

• On uses or disclosures of PHI for the facility directory (e.g., patient locator)

  Patients have the right to request a restriction on the use and disclosure of their health information for the facility directory. They can request this restriction by “Opting Out” or requesting that we do not include any of their information in the facility directory for example,  if a person calls our facility and asks for them by name, staff will not disclose their location and/or status to the caller. However, in order to “Opt-Out” of the facility directory, they must make their request in writing through the Admitting or Registration desk.

  When a patient is admitted as an inpatient in our facility and the patient has not ‘opted-out’ of the facility directory, we may provide their location in the facility and their general condition to someone who calls and asks for them by name. If they tell us their religious affiliation, we may provide their name, location in the facility, general condition and religious affiliation to members of the clergy. Unless they notify us that they object we will use their name, location in the facility, general condition, and religious affiliation for directory purposes.

Right to Confidential Communication

• Patients have the right to request communications of their health information by alternative means or at alternative locations. We will accommodate reasonable requests. Patients must submit their request for confidential communications directly to their health care provider.

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