Notice of Privacy Practices

Our commitment

Family Medical Doctors is required by law to protect the privacy of your health information, to give you this notice describing our privacy practices, and to follow the terms of the notice currently in effect.

How we may use and disclose your health information without your authorization

Treatment. We use your health information to provide and coordinate your care, and we may share it with other providers involved in your treatment — for example, sending records to a specialist we refer you to, or to a laboratory or imaging center.

Payment. We may use and disclose your information to bill and obtain payment from you, your insurance company, or another third party — for example, sharing a diagnosis so a claim can be processed.

Health care operations. We may use your information to run the practice — quality review, training, care coordination, and administrative functions.

Others involved in your care. With your agreement, or where you do not object, we may share relevant information with a family member or other person you have identified as involved in your care.

Appointment and care reminders. We may contact you about appointments, test results, or treatment alternatives.

As required or permitted by law. This includes public health activities, reporting suspected abuse or neglect, health oversight, judicial or law enforcement requests, coroners and funeral directors, organ donation, workers' compensation, research under approved safeguards, and to avert a serious threat to health or safety.

Uses that require your written authorization

Most uses and disclosures not described above will be made only with your written authorization. This includes most uses of psychotherapy notes, any use of your information for marketing, and any sale of your information. You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time, except where we have already acted in reliance on it.

Your rights

To see and get a copy of your record. You may inspect and request a copy of your medical and billing records, usually within 30 days. A reasonable, cost-based fee may apply.

To request a correction. If you believe information in your record is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask us to amend it. We may deny the request, and if we do we will explain why in writing.

To request confidential communications. You may ask us to contact you a specific way or at a specific address. We will accommodate reasonable requests.

To request restrictions. You may ask us to limit how we use or share your information. We are not required to agree, except that if you pay for a service in full out of pocket, you may direct us not to share that information with your health plan and we must honor that.

To get a list of disclosures. You may request an accounting of certain disclosures we have made, generally for the six years before your request.

To get a paper copy of this notice. You may ask for a paper copy at any time, even if you agreed to receive it electronically.

To be notified of a breach. We will notify you if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.

To choose someone to act for you. A person with legal authority to make health care decisions for you may exercise these rights on your behalf.

Our responsibilities

We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information and to notify you if a breach occurs. We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and give you a copy of it. We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we may in writing.

Changes to this notice

We may change this notice, and the changes will apply to all information we hold. The revised notice will be posted in the office and on this website, and will be available on request.

How to raise a concern or file a complaint

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, please contact our office — we would like the chance to address it directly:

Privacy Officer — Family Medical Doctors
5234 Little Road, New Port Richey, FL 34655
Phone: (727) 807-6900
Email: [email protected]

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, 200 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20201, by calling 1-877-696-6775, or at hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints.

You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.