This notice is required by Federal law, which mandates the information it contains. If you have any questions about how your Protected Health Information (PHI) is used, please contact our office.
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW YOUR MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE INFORMATION MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN ACCESS THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
Our Legal Duty to Protect Your Protected Health Information (PHI)
This HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices is provided to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This notice explains how Tri Valley Urology collects, uses, and discloses your health information, as well as your rights regarding that information.
We are legally required to follow the privacy practices outlined in this notice. However, we reserve the right to update this Notice at any time. If changes are made, the updated Notice will be posted in our office and on our website. You may request a copy from our office at any time.
This Notice is prepared in compliance with Federal and California state laws. If you have any questions, please contact Tri Valley Urology for additional details.
What is Protected Health Information (PHI)?
Each time you visit our office or another healthcare provider, information about your health is collected, including:
- Medical history, background, and past treatments
- Symptoms, complaints, and reasons for treatment
- Diagnoses and treatment plans
- Medications and prescriptions
- Billing and insurance information
This PHI is used for several purposes, such as:
- Providing treatment and determining the best course of care
- Coordinating care with other healthcare providers (e.g., your primary care doctor)
- Billing and insurance claims for healthcare services
- Medical research and public health initiatives
- Appointment reminders and practice updates
How We May Use or Disclose Your PHI
Under HIPAA, Tri Valley Urology may use and disclose your PHI without additional consent in the following cases:
1. Treatment, Payment, and Healthcare Operations (No Consent Required)
- Treatment: We may share your PHI with other healthcare providers involved in your care.
- Payment: We may use your PHI for billing purposes and to process insurance claims.
- Healthcare Operations: We may use your PHI to evaluate and improve our services.
2. Required Disclosures (Without Your Authorization)
We may be required to disclose your PHI in the following cases:
- Abuse or Neglect: If we suspect child or elder abuse, we must report it.
- Legal and Law Enforcement Requests: We may share PHI in response to subpoenas or investigations.
- Public Health and Safety: We may disclose PHI to prevent serious threats to public safety.
- Military and Government Functions: PHI may be shared for military personnel, national security, or correctional facility requirements.
3. Uses Requiring Your Written Consent
For any use beyond the permitted disclosures, your written authorization is required. This includes:
- Sharing PHI for marketing purposes
- Psychotherapy notes
- Any other non-standard disclosures
You can revoke your authorization at any time by submitting a written request.
Your Rights Regarding Your PHI
As a patient of Tri Valley Urology, you have the following rights:
- Access Your Records: You can request copies of your PHI.
- Correct or Update Your PHI: You may request corrections if you believe there is an error.
- Request Confidential Communications: You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (e.g., work instead of home).
- Restrict Disclosures: You may request limits on how your PHI is shared, though we may not always be able to grant your request.
- Receive a Record of Disclosures: You can request a list of when and why your PHI was shared.
- File a Complaint: If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with Tri Valley Urology or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
If you have any questions about this Notice, please contact our Administrative Office at 951-698-1901.
Tri Valley Urology – SMS Messaging Terms & Conditions
Opt-in Consent to SMS Messaging
By opting in to SMS messaging, you agree to receive text messages from Tri Valley Urology related to appointment reminders, healthcare updates, and other practice communications.
- Message and Data Rates May Apply.
- Message Frequency May Vary.
- You may opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message.
- For assistance, reply HELP or contact our office at 951-698-1901.
- For more details, review our Privacy Policy and SMS Terms & Conditions on our website.
Types of SMS Communications
If you opt in to receive text messages, you may receive messages related to:
- Appointment reminders
- Billing notifications
- Treatment updates
- Office closures or scheduling changes
Standard SMS Disclosures
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Message Frequency: Varies depending on your appointments and services.
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Message & Data Rates: Standard carrier charges may apply.
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Opt-In Methods:
- Completing an online form
- Providing consent verbally during an office visit
- Checking the SMS consent box on a patient intake form
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Opt-Out Instructions:
- You can unsubscribe anytime by replying STOP to any message.
- To re-subscribe, reply START at any time.
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Help & Support:
- Reply HELP for assistance.
- Contact Tri Valley Urology at 951-698-1901 for further questions.
How We Protect Your Information
- SMS consent and phone numbers will NOT be shared with third parties for marketing purposes.
- All information collected via SMS is protected under HIPAA and federal privacy laws.
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or SMS Messaging Terms, please contact our office at 951-698-1901.