Section 2: Privacy Notice

This document describes the type of information we gather about a Member (you), and with whom that information may be shared, and the safeguards we have in place to protect it. Federal law and regulations protect the confidentiality of your health information. You have the right to the confidentiality of your health information and the right to approve or refuse the release of specific information except when the release is required by law. If he practices described meet your expectations, there is nothing you need to do. If you prefer that we not share information we may honor your written request in certain circumstances described below. If you have any questions about this notice, please contact our Compliance Department at the address below.

Touchstone Health Services Compliance Department
15810 N 35th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85053

Touchstone Health Services
Compliance Department
15810 N 35th Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85053

Who Will Follow This Notice

Any health care professional authorized to enter information into your chart or medical record.

All employees, staff and other personnel who may need access to your information. All entities, sites and locations of THS follow the terms of this notice. In addition, these entities, sites and locations may share protected information with each other for treatment, payment or health care purposes described in this notice.

We are required by law to

  • keep health information that identifies you private;
  • give you this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to health information about you, and;
  • follow the terms of the notice that is currently in effect.

Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records

The confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse patient records maintained by this program is protected by Federal law and regulations. Generally, the program may not say to a person outside the program that a patient attends the program, or disclose any information identifying a patient as an alcohol or drug abuser Unless:

  • The patient consents in writing;
  • The disclosure is allowed by a court order; or
  • The disclosure is made to medical personnel in a medical emergency or to qualified personnel for research, audit, or program evaluation.

Violation of the Federal law and regulations by a program is a crime. Suspected violations may be reported to appropriate authorities in accordance with Federal regulations.

Federal law and regulations do not protect any information about a crime committed by a patient either at the program or against any person who works for the program or about any threat to commit such a crime.

Federal laws and regulations do not protect any information about suspected child abuse or neglect from being reported under State law to appropriate State or local authorities.

How THS May Use and Disclose Health Information

For Treatment: We may use health information about you to provide you with treatment or services. We may disclose health information about you to doctors, nurses, technicians, training doctors, or other health care professionals who are involved in taking care of you. Different health care professionals also may share health information about you to coordinate the different things you need, such as prescriptions and lab work. We also may disclose health information about you to people outside the agency who may be involved in your medical care after you leave or that provide services that are part of your care.

For Payment: We may use and disclose health information about you so that the treatment and services you receive may be billed to and payment may be collected from you, an insurance company or a third party. We may also use and disclose health information about you to obtain prior approval or to determine whether your insurance will cover the treatment.

Military and Veterans: If you are a member of the armed forces, we may release health information about you as required by military command authorities.

Workers’ Compensation: We may release health information about you for workers’ compensation or similar programs. These programs provide benefits for work-related injuries or illness.

Public Health Risks: We may disclose health information about you for public health activities. These activities generally include the following:

  • to prevent or control disease, injury or disability;
  • to report births and deaths;
  • to report child abuse or neglect;
  • to report reactions to medications or problems with products;
  • to notify people of recalls of products they may be using;
  • to notify a person who may have been exposed to a disease or may be at risk for contracting or spreading a disease or condition;
  • to notify the appropriate government authority if we believe a patient has been the victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence.

Health Oversight Activities: We may disclose health information to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law. These oversight activities include, for example, audits, investigations, inspections, and licensure. These activities are necessary for the government to monitor the health care system, government programs, and compliance with civil rights laws.

Lawsuits and Disputes: We may disclose health information about you in response to a subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful order from a court.

Law Enforcement: We may release health information if asked to do so by a law enforcement official as part of law enforcement activities; in investigations of criminal conduct or of victims of crime; in response to court orders; in emergency circumstances; or when required to do so by law.

Coroners Medical Examiners and Funeral Directors: We may release health information to a coroner or medical examiner. This may be necessary, for example, to identify a deceased person or determine the cause of death. We may also release health information about patients of the agency to funeral directors as necessary to carry out their duties.

Protective Services for the President, National Security and Intelligence Activities: We may release health information about you to authorized federal officials, so they may provide protection to the President, other authorized persons or foreign heads of state or conduct special investigations, or for intelligence, counterintelligence, and other national security activities authorized by law.

Inmates: If you are an inmate of a correctional institution or under the custody of a law enforcement official, we may release health information about you to the correctional institution or law enforcement official. This release would be necessary (1) for the institution to provide you with health care; (2) to protect your health and safety or the health and safety of others; or (3) for the safety and security of the correctional institution.

Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

Right to Inspect and Copy: You have the right to inspect and copy health information that may be used to make decisions about your care. Usually, this includes medical and billing records, but does not include psychotherapy notes.

To request confidential communications: You must make your request in writing to our Compliance Department. We will not ask you the reason for your request. We will accommodate all reasonable requests. Your request must specify how or where you wish to be contacted.

Right to a Paper Copy of this Notice: You have the right to a paper copy of this notice at any time. Even if you have agreed to receive this notice electronically, you are still entitled to a paper copy of this notice.

To obtain a paper copy of this notice: Please request one in writing from our Compliance Department at the address below.

Touchstone Health Services Compliance Department
15810 North 35th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85053

Other Uses of Health Information

Other uses and disclosures of health information not covered by this notice or the laws that apply to us will be made only with your written permission. If you provide us permission to use or disclose health information about you, you may revoke that permission, in writing, at any time. If you revoke your permission, thereafter we will no longer use or disclose health information about you for the reasons covered by your written authorization. You understand that we are unable to take back any disclosures we have already made with your permission, and that we are required to retain our records of the care that we provided to you.

Allow Electronic Communication

Behavioral health information collected and provided by THS through any electronic means is allowable only at the consent of the Member and/or Guardian if the Member is a minor.

THS currently utilizes a secure email system that requires a user name and password to access personal information. As with any email, there is limited risk that unauthorized third parties may potentially access or intercept email content which may include protected health information. Examples of electronic correspondence THS may utilize includes appointment reminders, satisfaction surveys and/or general communication between THS and the Member or parent/guardian if the Member is a minor.

  • Highly sensitive information will not be communicated by email or left on a voice message
  • When any electronic communication, the information transmitted will be a minimum.