The Children’s Center’s Privacy / HIPAA Statement
Your right to Privacy is deeply valued here at The Children’s Center. We respect that right and follow the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) laws and the Mental Health Code regarding your right to privacy. The following information describes how health and service information about you/your child may be used and disclosed and how you can access this information.
Our privacy commitment to you
We respect your privacy and are deeply committed to protecting confidential information about you or your child. Confidential information is often referred to as Protected Health Information (PHI) and includes any information that identifies the client, the client’s physical or mental health or condition or services received for a condition. Only people who have both the need and the legal right may see your protected health information will be allowed to do so. Unless you give us permission in writing, we will only disclose protected health information when required for treatment, payment processes, other business operations or when we are required to do so by law.
Additional privacy rights
You have the following rights regarding the health/treatment information that we have about you/your child:
Your right to inspect and copy
You have the right to inspect and request a copy of your protected health information. If you do request a copy of your record, you may be charged a small fee. We require requests to inspect/copy PHI to be submitted in writing. We will respond within 30 days of receiving the request.
Your right to amend
You have the right to request an amendment or submit corrections to your protected health information. We will respond within 60 days of receiving the request.
Your right to request restrictions on the use of disclosures
You have the right to ask that we limit how we use or disclose your PHI. We will consider your request, but are not legally bound to agree to the restriction.
Your right to a list of disclosures
You have the right to receive a list of where your PHI that has been released other than instances of disclosures for which you gave consent.
Uses and disclosures not requiring consent or authorization
As required by law we will release information when we are required to do so. Examples of such releases would be in response to requests from law enforcement personnel, government employees addressing issues of national security or employees from other government entities. We may be required to release information that is subpoenaed or otherwise ordered by the courts. We may be required to release information in order to comply with mandatory reporting of communicable diseases suspected abuse and/or neglect occurrences. We may also be required to release information in response to criminal investigations or if a government agency is averting a serious threat to the health or safety of other community members.
With your permission
If you give us permission in writing, we may use/disclose yours or your child’s PHI. If you give us permission, you have the right to revoke the disclosure at any time in writing. We cannot take back any uses or disclosures already made with your permission.
Your right to receive confidential communications
Unless you provide us with alternative instructions, we may send appointment reminders, treatment/service information and other similar materials to your home.
Fundraising
Unless you tell us otherwise, as part of our ongoing operations, our Resource Development department may contact you to participate in fundraising activities for The Children’s Center.
Changes to the notice
We are required by law to comply with changes in HIPAA, therefore we reserve the right to revise our notices as needed. If we do so, we will post a revised notice at the receptionist desk.
How to use your rights under this notice
If you believe your/your child’s privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Office of Civil Rights
Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20201
Phone: 886.627.7748
TTY: 886.788.4989
To file a complaint or if you have questions, contact:
Desire Jones, Director-Revenue & Regulatory Compliance
The Children’s Center
79 W. Alexandrine, Detroit, MI 48201
313.831.5535
There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint.
