Notice of Privacy Practices
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED
AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
Our Legal Duties
This Notice of Privacy Practices is provided to you by The Pittsburgh Chiropractor LLC
(“Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and applicable federal and Pennsylvania laws.
This notice describes how we may use and disclose your Protected Health Information (PHI),
your rights regarding that information, and the safeguards we maintain to protect your privacy.
Protected Health Information (PHI) is individually identifiable health information that relates
to your past, present, or future physical or mental health condition, the provision of healthcare
services, or payment for healthcare services. PHI may include information such as your name,
address, phone number, email address, medical history, treatment information, and billing information.
We are required by law to:
- Maintain the privacy and security of your Protected Health Information.
- Provide you with this Notice describing our legal duties and privacy practices.
- Abide by the terms of this Notice currently in effect.
- Notify you if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your PHI.
We reserve the right to change the terms of this Notice at any time. Any revisions will apply
to all PHI we maintain. Updated notices will be available at our office and upon request.
Uses and Disclosures of Protected Health Information
We may use and disclose your PHI for purposes of treatment, payment, and healthcare operations
without obtaining your written authorization.
Treatment
We may use or disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare and related
services. This includes consultations with other healthcare providers and referrals for additional care.
Payment
We may use and disclose your PHI to obtain payment for healthcare services provided to you.
This may include submitting claims to insurance companies, verifying insurance coverage,
and billing activities.
Healthcare Operations
We may use or disclose your PHI for healthcare operations necessary to run our practice and
ensure quality care. These activities may include quality assessment, staff training,
compliance programs, licensing, credentialing, auditing, and administrative operations.
Other Permitted or Required Uses and Disclosures
Federal and state laws permit or require us to disclose PHI without your authorization in
certain circumstances, including but not limited to the following:
- Required by Law – When disclosure is required by federal, state, or local law.
- Business Associates – We may share PHI with third-party vendors who assist us with services such as billing, IT services, or record management. These entities are required to safeguard PHI.
- Appointment Reminders – We may contact you to remind you of scheduled appointments.
- Treatment Alternatives – We may inform you about treatment options or services that may benefit your health.
- Public Health Activities – Disclosures may occur for disease control, injury prevention, reporting abuse, or other public health purposes.
- Health Oversight – Government agencies may access PHI for auditing, investigation, or compliance purposes.
- Legal Proceedings – PHI may be disclosed in response to a court order, subpoena, or lawful administrative process.
- Law Enforcement – Disclosures may occur for law enforcement purposes when permitted by law.
- Coroners and Medical Examiners – PHI may be disclosed to determine cause of death or for identification.
- Serious Threat to Health or Safety – Disclosure may occur if necessary to prevent a serious threat to health or safety.
- Workers’ Compensation – PHI may be disclosed to comply with workers’ compensation laws.
- Family Members and Caregivers – Unless you object, we may share relevant PHI with individuals involved in your care.
Uses and Disclosures Requiring Authorization
Other uses or disclosures of your Protected Health Information will be made only with your
written authorization unless otherwise permitted by law.
Authorization is required for:
- Most marketing uses of your Protected Health Information
- The sale of Protected Health Information
- Use or disclosure of psychotherapy notes (with limited exceptions)
You may revoke any authorization in writing at any time except to the extent that we have
already relied upon the authorization.
Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
- Right to Inspect and Copy – You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your medical records and billing records.
- Right to Amend – You may request an amendment to your PHI if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete.
- Right to an Accounting of Disclosures – You may request a list of certain disclosures of your PHI.
- Right to Request Restrictions – You may request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures of your PHI.
- Right to Confidential Communications – You may request that we contact you through specific communication methods.
- Right to a Paper Copy – You have the right to receive a paper copy of this notice upon request.
Website Privacy and HIPAA Disclaimer
Information transmitted through this website, including through contact forms, email links,
or appointment requests, may not always be fully secure or encrypted. While we take reasonable
steps to protect your privacy, electronic communications submitted through this website may
not meet the security standards required for transmitting Protected Health Information under HIPAA.
Patients are strongly encouraged not to submit sensitive medical information, diagnostic details,
or other confidential health information through unsecured website forms or standard email communications.
By voluntarily submitting information through this website, you acknowledge and accept the potential
risks associated with electronic communication.
Secure Communication Warning
Electronic communication such as email, website forms, or text messaging may not be secure and
could be intercepted by unauthorized parties. The Pittsburgh Chiropractor LLC cannot guarantee
the confidentiality of information transmitted through these communication methods.
For matters involving confidential health information, patients should contact our office directly
by phone or communicate through secure patient portals when available.
Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our practice
or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights.
You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.
Contact Information
If you have questions about this Notice or wish to exercise your rights, please contact:
HIPAA Compliance Officer
Dr. Alex Tauberg
The Pittsburgh Chiropractor LLC
55 Alpha Drive West, Suite 6
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
Phone: 412-512-8124