The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”)
West End Pharmacy 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.
West End Rx, Inc. is committed to ensuring the privacy of your protected health information (PHI). West End Rx, Inc is required by law to protect your PHI and to provide you a Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to PHI.
This Notice of Privacy Practices describes the privacy practices of West End Rx, Inc. PHI is information about you that we obtain to provide our services to you and that can be used to identify you. It includes your name and other basic contact information as well as information about your health, medical conditions and prescriptions.
We take our responsibility to protect this information very seriously. West End Rx, Inc. reserves the right to change our practices and this Notice and to make the new Notice effective for all PHI we maintain. If we do so, the updated Notice of Privacy Practices will be available at our location where you receive your health care service from us. Upon request, we will provide any revised Notice to you.
How We May Use and Disclose Your PHI Without Your Permission
Treatment
We may use and disclose your PHI to provide and coordinate the treatment, medications and services you receive. For example, we may disclose PHI to pharmacists, doctors, nurses, technicians and other personnel involved in your health care. We may also disclose your PHI with other third parties such as hospitals, other pharmacies and other health care facilities to facilitate the provision of health care services, medications, equipment and supplies you may need.
Payment
We may contact your insurer, payer, or other agent and share your PHI with that entity to determine whether it will pay for your prescription and the payment amount. We may also contact you regarding payments or balances due for prescriptions dispensed to you at West End Rx, Inc.
Healthcare Operations
We may use and disclose your PHI to monitor the effectiveness and quality of our health care services, provide customer service, and resolve complaints. We may also transfer information if pharmacy locations are bought or sold.
Business Associates
We use contractors known as business associates to provide certain services for us. These contractors are required by law and their agreements with us to protect your PHI in the same way we do.
Individuals Involved in Your Care
We may disclose your PHI to a friend, personal representative, or family member involved in your medical care. For example, we may provide prescriptions or related information to your caregiver if we reasonably infer that you agree.
Disclosures to Parents or Legal Guardians
If you are a minor, we may release your PHI to your parents or legal guardians as permitted or required under federal and applicable state law.
Worker’s Compensation
We may disclose your PHI as necessary to comply with laws relating to worker’s compensation or similar programs established by law.
Law Enforcement
We may disclose your PHI in response to a court order, subpoena, warrant, summons, or similar process for law enforcement purposes. This may include identifying suspects, locating missing persons, or reporting crimes that occur on the premises.
As Required by Law
We must disclose your PHI when required to do so by applicable federal or state law.
Judicial and Administrative Proceedings
If you are involved in a lawsuit or legal dispute, we may disclose your PHI in response to a court or administrative order, subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process.
Public Health
We may disclose your PHI to public health authorities responsible for preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability. This may include reporting reactions to medications, product recalls, or exposure to diseases.
Health Oversight Activities
We may disclose your PHI to oversight agencies for activities authorized by law such as audits, investigations, inspections, licensing, and monitoring compliance with health care regulations.
Research
We may use or disclose your PHI for research purposes when the research has been approved by an institutional review board or privacy board that ensures appropriate privacy protections.
Coroners, Medical Examiners and Funeral Directors
We may release your PHI to coroners or medical examiners to identify a deceased person or determine the cause of death. We may also disclose PHI to funeral directors as permitted by law.
Organ or Tissue Procurement Organizations
We may disclose your PHI to organizations involved in organ procurement or transplantation as permitted by law.
Notification
We may use or disclose your PHI to notify family members or other individuals responsible for your care regarding your location and general condition.
Disaster Relief
We may disclose your PHI to disaster relief organizations to assist in coordinating relief efforts.
Correctional Institution
If you are an inmate of a correctional institution, we may disclose PHI necessary for your health and the safety of others within the institution.
To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety
We may disclose PHI when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of another person or the public.
Military and Veterans
If you are a member of the armed forces, we may release PHI as required by military command authorities or to appropriate foreign military authorities.
National Security and Intelligence Activities
We may release PHI to authorized federal officials for intelligence, counterintelligence, and other national security activities.
Victims of Abuse or Neglect
We may disclose PHI to government authorities if we reasonably believe you are a victim of abuse or neglect, as permitted or required by law.
Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization
Your written authorization is required for certain uses and disclosures of your PHI, including:
• Use or disclosure of psychotherapy notes containing your PHI
• Sending marketing communications
• Receiving payment in exchange for your PHI
You may revoke your authorization at any time by submitting a written request to:
West End Pharmacy
824 West Avenue Suite D
Cartersville, GA 30120
Your Rights Regarding Your PHI
Obtain a Paper Copy of This Notice
You have the right to obtain a copy of this Notice at any time.
Inspect and Obtain a Copy of Your PHI
You have the right to see and obtain a copy of your PHI including prescription and billing records. Requests must be submitted in writing to West End Pharmacy.
Request an Amendment
If you believe the PHI we maintain about you is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment in writing explaining the reason.
Receive an Accounting of Disclosures
You have the right to receive a list of disclosures made of your PHI during the previous six years.
Request Alternative Communications
You may request that we communicate with you in a specific way or location regarding health matters.
Notification of a Breach
You have the right to be notified following a breach of your unsecured PHI.
Website and SMS Communications
When you submit your phone number through our website forms or online advertisements, you consent to receive SMS messages from West End Pharmacy related to pharmacy services, prescription notifications, and responses to your inquiries.
Message frequency may vary. Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out of receiving SMS messages at any time by replying STOP. For assistance, reply HELP.
West End Pharmacy does not sell, rent, or share your phone number or personal information with third parties for marketing purposes. Your information is used solely to provide pharmacy services and respond to your requests.
Effective Date
This Notice is effective as of January 1st, 2016.
