At Vibrant Vertebrae, we understand the importance of privacy and are committed to maintaining the confidentiality of your medical information. We maintain records of the care we provide and may receive records from other providers to support your treatment. These records are used to deliver high-quality care, obtain payment for services, and meet our legal and professional obligations.
We are required by law to protect the privacy of your protected health information, provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, and notify you if a breach of unsecured protected health information occurs. This notice explains how we may use and disclose your medical information and outlines your rights regarding your health information.
How We May Use or Disclose Your Health Information
We use your health information to provide medical treatment, communicate with other healthcare providers, and coordinate your care. For example, we may share your information with specialists, pharmacies, labs, or family members involved in your care.
We may use and disclose your information to obtain payment from your health plan and to support healthcare operations such as quality assessment, staff training, compliance programs, and business planning. We may also share information with trusted service providers (business associates) who help us manage administrative tasks.
Other uses may include appointment reminders, sign-in procedures, and notifying family members in emergencies or at your request. We may contact you about health-related services, treatment options, and programs relevant to your care.
We do not sell your information or use it for marketing purposes without your explicit written consent. If compensation is involved, we will disclose that before requesting your authorization.
In certain situations, we are required or permitted by law to disclose your health information, including cases of public health reporting, abuse or neglect, oversight activities, legal proceedings, law enforcement inquiries, coroner investigations, organ donation, safety threats, immunizations, military or correctional matters, and workers' compensation claims.
In the event of a practice sale or merger, your records may become the property of the new entity, but your rights regarding access and privacy will remain protected.
If a data breach occurs involving your health information, we will notify you using appropriate methods.
When We May Not Use or Disclose Your Information
Except as outlined in this notice or as required by law, we will not use or disclose your health information without your written authorization. You may revoke that authorization at any time in writing.
Your Health Information Rights
You have the right to request restrictions on the use or disclosure of your information, especially when services are paid in full out-of-pocket. While we will honor certain requests, we may not be able to grant all restrictions.
You may request to receive communications in a specific way or at a specific location, such as sending records to your work address or a particular email.
You have the right to inspect and request copies of your medical records. Requests must be in writing and specify the format you prefer. Fees may apply to cover costs of copying, supplies, and delivery. Under certain conditions, we may deny access but will inform you of the reason and your right to appeal.
You may request corrections to your records if you believe the information is inaccurate or incomplete. While we are not required to make all requested amendments, we will inform you of our decision and allow you to submit a statement of disagreement if necessary.
You may request an accounting of disclosures—records of when and why your information was shared, excluding routine uses such as treatment, payment, and operations. Certain legal or oversight-related disclosures may also be excluded.
You have the right to receive a paper or electronic copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically in the past.
Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to revise this notice at any time. The revised notice will apply to all health information we maintain, and it will be available in our office and on our website.
Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated or you are dissatisfied with how your information is handled, you may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services by emailing OCRMail@hhs.gov. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
