NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

Protecting your privacy is extremely important to Physician’s Automated Laboratory, Inc.  The physicians, management and employees are committed to strict adherence of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule as well as all applicable State of California regulations.  Physician’s Automated Laboratory, Inc. has developed, implemented and abides by privacy policies and procedures which restrict access and use of Protected Health Information (PHI) based on the specific roles of its employees.

USE AND DISCLOSURE OF PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION (PHI)

Physician’s Automated Laboratory, Inc. is permitted, but not required, to use and disclose Protected Health Information (PHI), without an individuals’ authorization for any of the following:

Treatment – An individuals’ PHI will be used for the purposes of treatment by one or more healthcare providers. 

Payment – We will use PHI for the purpose of obtaining payment(s) for services rendered in treating an individual.

Health Care Operations – We may use or disclose PHI in the course of activities required to support health care operations such as performing quality checks to ensure all our patients receive quality care.

Uses and Disclosures with Opportunity to Agree or Object – We may obtain informal permission by asking the individual outright or by circumstances that clearly give the individual the opportunity to agree or object.  We will exercise professional judgment in the use or disclosure of PHI concerning the best interests of the individual.  Informal permission may also be used to disclose health information to other individuals specifically designated by an individual.

Public Interest and Benefit Activities – We are permitted use and disclosure of PHI without an individual’s authorization or permission for any of the following purposes:

• When Required by Law – in order to comply with Federal and/or State laws, court orders or the orders of a governmental agency.

• Public Health Activities – to prevent or control disease, injury, or disability or to report communicable diseases.

• Victims of Abuse, Neglect, or Domestic Violence – to report to the appropriate government authorities regarding victims of abuse, neglect or domestic violence.

• Health Oversight Activities – for audits or inspections authorized by law.

• Judicial and Administrative Proceedings – if the information is requested through a court order or subpoena.

• Law Enforcement Purposes – to identify or locate a suspect, fugitive, material witness or missing person, or in connection with suspected criminal activity.

• Funeral Directors, Coroners, or Medical Examiners – to identify a deceased person, determine the cause of death, and perform other functions authorized by law.

• Organ, Eye, or Tissue Donation – we may share PHI with organizations that handle organ, eye or tissue donation or transplantation.

• Research – to researchers in connection with research projects.

• Threat to Health or Safety – to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to a person or to the public.

• Essential Government Functions – to authorized federal officials involving military missions, intelligence, and national security activities authorized by law.

• Workers’ Compensation – to comply with workers’ compensation laws and other similar programs providing benefits for work-related injuries or illness.

 Limited Data Set – Limited Data Set is PHI from which certain specified direct identifiers of individuals and their relatives, household members and employers have been removed.  Limited Data Set may be used for the purposes of research, healthcare operations and public health purposes provided the recipient enter into a data use agreement promising specified safeguards for the PHI within the limited data set.

AUTHORIZED USE AND DISCLOSURE

Physician’s Automated Laboratory, Inc. cannot and will not use PHI for anything other than the reasons listed above without authorization.  If an individual authorizes the disclosure of health information, likewise, it can be revoked at any time by submitting a written statement.

YOUR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS

Access – Except under certain circumstances, you have the right to review and obtain a copy of your PHI.  In California, where State law is more restrictive than Federal law, we are required to follow the more restrictive State law.  Thus, we are not permitted to provide your PHI directly to you.  Reports of laboratory testing can only be provided to persons licensed under the provisions of law relating to the healing arts. 

Amendment – You have the right to request amendments be made to your PHI if you believe it is inaccurate or incomplete.  We may deny the request if we are not the originator of the information or if special circumstances apply.

Disclosure Accounting – You have the right to request, in writing, a list of certain disclosures of your PHI.

Restriction Request – You have the right to request the use or disclosure of PHI to persons involved in your healthcare or to notify family members about your general condition, location, or death.  Physician’s Automated Laboratory, Inc. is under no obligation to agree to the requested restrictions.

Confidential Communications Requirements – You have the right to request an alternative means or location for receiving communications of PHI in a confidential manner.

Paper Copy of This Notice – You have the right to receive a paper copy of this notice at any time.

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, OR COMPLAINTS

Physician’s Automated Laboratory, Inc. has designated a HIPAA Privacy Officer (HPO).  To act on any of the information provided in this notice or for more information about our privacy practices, you may contact either the HPO or the Chief Executive Officer as set forth below:

Physician’s Automated Laboratory, Inc.

2801 H Street

Bakersfield, CA  93301

ATTN:  HIPAA Privacy Officer and/or Chief Executive Officer

Furthermore, if you feel your rights have been violated, you may also file a complaint with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  Physician’s Automated Laboratory, Inc. will not retaliate against a person for exercising their rights.

CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE

Physician’s Automated Laboratory, Inc. reserves the right to change the terms of this Notice of Privacy Practices.  Any changes will apply to the current medical information as well as to any new health information we receive in the future.  If changes occur, a revised version of this notice will be posted in our facility as well as on this Website.