This notice describes how information about you may be used and disclosed, and how you can access this information. Please read it carefully.
Commitment to Privacy
A&R Medical Supply is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your healthcare information as required by law. We follow the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, commonly known as HIPAA, and other applicable privacy regulations.
HIPAA requires us to provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices, which explains how we may use and disclose your protected health information, how we safeguard that information, and what rights you have regarding your health records.
A&R Medical Supply will follow the terms described in this notice. We may update this notice as needed, and any updated version will apply to the protected health information we maintain.
We will not use or disclose your health information without your authorization except as allowed or required by law, including for treatment, payment, healthcare operations, and other permitted purposes described below.
Your Health Information Rights
Although your health record is maintained by the healthcare provider or organization that created it, the information in the record belongs to you. You have the right to:
- Request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your health information. This includes the right to request that certain information not be disclosed to your health plan if the disclosure is for payment or healthcare operations and the service was paid for in full out-of-pocket.
- Receive a paper copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices.
- Inspect and request a copy of your healthcare record.
- Request an accounting of certain disclosures of your health information.
- Request confidential communications, such as being contacted at a specific phone number, address, or by another reasonable method.
- Request an amendment to your healthcare record if you believe information is incorrect or incomplete.
- Revoke a previous authorization to use or disclose your health information, except when action has already been taken based on that authorization.
- Request an electronic copy of your electronic medical records, when available.
A&R Medical Supply’s Responsibilities
A&R Medical Supply is required to:
- Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
- Provide you with a notice explaining our legal duties and privacy practices.
- Follow the terms of this Notice of Privacy Practices.
- Notify you if we are unable to agree to a requested restriction.
- Accommodate reasonable requests to communicate with you by alternative means or at alternative locations.
- Notify you of any breach involving unsecured protected health information, as required by law.
A&R Medical Supply reserves the right to change our privacy practices and make the revised terms effective for all protected health information we maintain. If our privacy practices change, an updated Notice of Privacy Practices will be made available upon request and, when applicable, on our website.
Uses and Disclosures for Treatment, Payment, and Healthcare Operations
A&R Medical Supply may use and disclose your health information for the following purposes:
Treatment
We may use your health information to provide you with durable medical equipment, respiratory equipment, medical supplies, oxygen services, PAP therapy equipment, prescription-related equipment, and other healthcare products or services.
Information obtained from your physician, healthcare provider, prescription, order, or referral may become part of your record. This information helps determine the equipment, supplies, medications, or services you may receive.
Payment
We may use and disclose your health information to determine insurance eligibility, obtain authorization, process claims, and receive payment for equipment, supplies, medications, or services provided to you.
This may include sharing information with your insurance company, Medicare, Medicaid, a third-party payer, or another responsible party. Information included may identify you, your diagnosis, your prescribed equipment or supplies, and the services provided.
Healthcare Operations
We may use your health information for business and operational purposes, including quality assessment, staff training, care coordination, cost management, compliance review, business planning, and improving the quality and effectiveness of our products and services.
Health-Related Communications
We may contact you with appointment reminders, delivery updates, equipment reminders, treatment alternatives, refill or resupply information, and information about health-related benefits or services that may be helpful to you.
Other Uses and Disclosures
A&R Medical Supply may also use or disclose your health information in the following situations, as allowed or required by law:
Business Associates
We may share information with contracted service providers or business associates who perform services on behalf of A&R Medical Supply. These business associates are required to protect your health information and use it only as permitted by law and their agreement with us.
Public Health
We may disclose health information to public health authorities or legal agencies responsible for preventing or controlling disease, injury, disability, or other public health concerns, as required or permitted by law.
Law Enforcement
We may disclose health information for law enforcement purposes when required by law, in response to a valid subpoena, court order, or other lawful request.
Health Oversight Activities
We may disclose health information to oversight agencies for activities authorized by law, including audits, investigations, inspections, licensing, accreditation, surveys, and compliance reviews.
Workers’ Compensation
We may release health information as necessary to comply with laws or regulations related to workers’ compensation or similar programs established by law.
Data Breach Notification
We may use or disclose your protected health information to provide legally required notices if there is unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of your health information.
Uses and Disclosures That Require Your Authorization
Certain uses and disclosures of your health information require your written authorization. These may include:
- Use or disclosure of your information for certain marketing purposes.
- Sale of your protected health information.
- Any other use or disclosure not described in this notice, unless otherwise allowed or required by law.
You may revoke your authorization at any time in writing, except to the extent that A&R Medical Supply has already taken action based on your authorization.
For More Information or Assistance
A&R Medical Supply’s Privacy Officer can assist you with questions about your privacy rights, including:
- Requesting restrictions on the use or disclosure of your information.
- Inspecting or requesting a copy of your record.
- Requesting an accounting of certain disclosures.
- Requesting confidential communications.
- Requesting an amendment to your record.
- Revoking an authorization.
- Filing a privacy complaint.
You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint or exercising your privacy rights.
