Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
This notice describes how your health information may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.
Ten Directions Counseling is required by law to maintain the privacy of protected health information (PHI), to provide you with this notice of its legal duties and privacy practices, and to notify you following a breach of unsecured PHI. Ten Directions Counseling is required to abide by the terms of the notice currently in effect.
How We Use and Disclose Your Health Information
For Treatment
Your health information may be used and disclosed by your counselor and others involved in your care for the purpose of providing, coordinating, or managing your healthcare and related services. For example, information obtained during a session may be shared with another provider involved in your treatment when a referral is made.
For Payment
Your health information may be used and disclosed to obtain payment for services. If applicable, billing information may be provided to you or to a third party for the purpose of reimbursement (e.g., a superbill for out-of-network insurance claims).
For Healthcare Operations
Your health information may be used and disclosed in connection with general healthcare operations, including quality assessment, training, licensing, and accreditation activities.
Your Rights
You have the following rights regarding your health information. To exercise any of these rights, please contact Ten Directions Counseling in writing.
Right to Inspect and Copy
You have the right to inspect and copy your health information that may be used to make decisions about your care. To request access, please submit your request in writing to the contact information below. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
Right to Amend
If you believe that health information held about you is incorrect or incomplete, you have the right to request an amendment. We may deny your request under certain circumstances.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You have the right to request a list of certain disclosures made of your health information during the six years prior to your request, the date of each disclosure, who received the information, and a description of the information.
Right to Request Restrictions
You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your health information. We are not required to agree to a requested restriction except in limited circumstances.
Right to Request Confidential Communications
You have the right to request that we communicate with you in a specific way or at a specific location.
Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice
You have the right to receive a paper copy of this notice at any time. Even if you have agreed to receive this notice electronically, you may request a paper copy at any time.
Disclosures We Are Required or Permitted to Make
We may use or disclose your health information in the following situations without your authorization or the opportunity to agree or object:
- As Required by Law: When required by federal, state, or local law.
- To Prevent Serious Threat: To prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a person or the public.
- Abuse or Neglect: To report suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence as required by applicable law.
- Judicial and Administrative Proceedings: In response to a court or administrative order, or a subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process.
- Law Enforcement: For law enforcement purposes as required by law or in response to a valid legal process.
Psychotherapy Notes
Psychotherapy notes (notes recorded for private use during or after a counseling session) are given special protection under HIPAA. Most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes require your specific written authorization beyond a general authorization. You may revoke any such authorization at any time.
Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization
Except as described in this notice, we will not use or disclose your health information without your written authorization. If you authorize us to use or disclose your health information, you may revoke that authorization in writing at any time.
Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to change this notice at any time. We reserve the right to make the revised or changed notice effective for health information we already have about you, as well as any information we receive in the future. We will post a copy of the current notice on our website. You may request a copy of any revised notice.
Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with Ten Directions Counseling or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. To file a complaint with our practice, contact us using the information below. There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint.
Contact Information
Ten Directions Counseling
Stephanie Napolitano, LMHC #005793
Queens, NY
Phone: (929) 782-0578
Email: tendirectionscounseling@gmail.com