Introduction
At Southern Voices, we are committed to protecting the privacy and security of your Protected Health Information (PHI). This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your PHI in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and its implementing regulations.
Information We May Collect
As a covered entity or business associate, we may collect the following PHI:
- Personal Identifiers: Name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and other identifying information.
- Health Information: Medical history, diagnosis, treatment plans, and other health-related information.
- Payment Information: Insurance information, billing addresses, and payment history.
How We Use Your PHI
We use your PHI to:
- Provide Telephone Answering Services: Answer calls, take messages, and forward calls as needed.
- Process Payments: Bill for services rendered and process insurance claims.
- Comply with Legal Requirements: Respond to legal requests and comply with HIPAA regulations.
Disclosure of PHI
We may disclose your PHI to:
- Healthcare Providers: To facilitate the provision of healthcare services.
- Health Plans: To process insurance claims and obtain authorization for services.
- Business Associates: To perform functions on our behalf, such as billing, data storage, or IT services.
- Law Enforcement: As required by law or to protect public health and safety.
Safeguarding Your PHI
We implement appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your PHI from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These safeguards include:
- Security Awareness Training: Regular training for employees to ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations.
- Access Controls: Limiting access to PHI to authorized personnel.
- Data Encryption: Encrypting electronic PHI to protect it from unauthorized access.
- Physical Security: Securing physical facilities to protect paper records and electronic devices.
- Incident Response Plan: Having a plan in place to respond to security breaches and data breaches.
Your Rights
You have certain rights under HIPAA, including:
- Right to Access: You have the right to access your PHI.
- Right to Request Amendment: You have the right to request that we amend your PHI.
- Right to Account of Disclosures: You have the right to request an accounting of disclosures of your PHI.
- Right to Request Restrictions: You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your PHI.
- Right to Receive Notice of Breach: You have the right to be notified in the event of a breach of unsecured PHI.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our HIPAA compliance practices, please contact our Privacy Officer at risti@southernvoices.com