Good Faith Estimate
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost.
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
• Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item.You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
• If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
• Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (800) 368-1019
Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA) Client Rights & Therapist Duties
This document contains important information about federal law, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), that provides privacy protections and patient rights with regard to the use and disclosure of your Protected Health Information (PHI) used for the purpose of treatment, payment, and health care operations.
HIPAA requires that Paola Bailey, PsyD provide you with a Notice of Privacy Practices (the Notice) for use and disclosure of PHI for treatment, payment, and health care operations. The Notice explains HIPAA and its application to your PHI in greater detail.
The law requires that we obtain your signature acknowledging that we have provided you with this. If you have any questions, it is your right and obligation to ask so your provider can have a further discussion prior to signing this document. When you sign this document, it will also represent an agreement between us. You may revoke this Agreement in writing at any time. That revocation will be binding unless Paola Bailey, PsyD has taken action in reliance on it.
LIMITS ON CONFIDENTIALITY
The law protects the privacy of all communication between a patient and a therapist. In most situations, Paola Bailey, PsyD can only release information about your treatment to others if you sign a written authorization form that meets certain legal requirements imposed by HIPAA. There are some situations where Paola Bailey, PsyD is permitted or required to disclose information without either your consent or authorization. If such a situation arises, Paola Bailey, PsyD will limit the disclosure to what is necessary. Reasons we may have to release your information without authorization:
1. If you are involved in a court proceeding and a request is made for information concerning your diagnosis and treatment, such information is protected by the psychologist-patient privilege law. Paola Bailey, PsyD cannot provide any information without your (or your legal representative's) written authorization, or a court order, or if we receive a subpoena of which you have been properly notified and you have failed to inform me that you oppose the subpoena. If you are involved in or contemplating litigation, you should consult with an attorney to determine whether a court would be likely to order Paola Bailey, PsyD to disclose information.
2. If a government agency is requesting the information for health oversight activities, within its appropriate legal authority, Paola Bailey, PsyD may be required to provide it for them.
3. If a patient files a complaint or lawsuit against Paola Bailey, PsyD, I may disclose relevant information regarding that patient in order to defend myself.
4. If a patient files a worker's compensation claim, and Paola Bailey, PsyD is providing necessary treatment related to that claim, Paola Bailey, PsyD must, upon appropriate request, submit treatment reports to the appropriate parties, including the patient's employer, the insurance carrier or an authorized qualified rehabilitation provider.
5. Paola Bailey, PsyD may disclose the minimum necessary health information to my business associates that perform functions on my behalf or provide me with services if the information is necessary for such functions or services. My business associates sign agreements to protect the privacy of your information and are not allowed to use or disclose any information other than as specified in our contract.
There are some situations in which Paola Bailey, PsyD is legally obligated to take actions, which I believe are necessary to attempt to protect others from harm, and I may have to reveal some information about a patient's treatment:
1. If Paola Bailey, PsyD knows, or has reason to suspect, that a child under 18 has been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent, legal custodian, caregiver, or any other person responsible for the child's welfare, the law requires that I file a report with the appropriate authorities. Once such a report is filed, Paola Bailey, PsyD may be required to provide additional information.
2. If Paola Bailey, PsyD knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a vulnerable adult has been abused, neglected, or exploited, the law requires that I file a report with the appropriate authorities. Once such a report is filed, Paola Bailey, PsyD may be required to provide additional information.
3. If Paola Bailey, PsyD. believes that there is a clear and immediate probability of physical harm to the patient, to other individuals, or to society, I may be required to disclose information to take protective action, including communicating the information to the potential victim, and/or appropriate family member, and/or the police or to seek hospitalization of the patient.
CLIENT RIGHTS AND THERAPIST DUTIES
Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information:
● For Treatment – Paola Bailey, PsyD may coordinate or manage your care. If I wish to provide information for your treatment by another health care provider, I will have you sign an authorization for release of information. Furthermore, an authorization is required for most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes.
● For Payment – Paola Bailey, PsyD may use and disclose your health information to obtain payment for services provided to you as delineated in the Practice Policies.
● For Operations – Paola Bailey, PsyD may use and disclose your health information as part of our internal operations. For example, this could mean a review of records to assure quality. Paola Bailey, PsyD may also use your information to tell you about services, educational activities, and programs that we feel might be of interest to you.
Patient's Rights:
● Right to Treatment – You have the right to ethical treatment without discrimination regarding race, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability status, age, sex assigned at birth, military experience, or any other protected category.
● Right to Confidentiality – You have the right to have your health care information protected. If you pay for a service or health care item out-of-pocket in full, you can ask us not to share that information for the purpose of payment or our operations with your health insurer. Paola Bailey, PsyD will agree to such unless a law requires us to share that information.
● Right to Request Restrictions – You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of protected health information about you. However, Paola Bailey, PsyD is not required to agree to a restriction you request.
● Right to Receive Confidential Communications by Alternative Means and at Alternative Locations – You have the right to request and receive confidential communications of PHI by alternative means and at alternative locations.
● Right to Inspect and Copy – You have the right to inspect or obtain a copy (or both) of PHI. Records must be requested in writing and release of information must be completed. Furthermore, there is a copying fee charge of $1.00 per page. Please make your request well in advance and allow 2 weeks to receive the copies.
● Right to Amend – If you believe the information in your records is incorrect and/or missing important information, you can ask Paola Bailey, PsyD to make certain changes, also known as amending, to your health information. You have to make this request in writing. You must tell us the reasons you want to make these changes, and Paola Bailey, PsyD will decide if it is and if we refuse to do so, we will tell you why within 60 days.
● Right to a Copy of This Notice – If you received the paperwork electronically, you have a copy in your email. If you completed this paperwork in the office at your first session a copy will be provided to you per your request or at any time.
● Right to an Accounting – You generally have the right to receive an accounting of disclosures of PHI regarding you. At your request, Paola Bailey, PsyD will discuss with you the details of the accounting process.
● Right to Choose Someone to Act for You – If someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information; Paola Bailey, PysD will make sure the person has this authority and can act for you before we take any action.
● Right to Choose – You have the right to decide not to receive services with Paola Bailey, PsyD. If you wish, we will provide you with names of other qualified professionals.
● Right to Terminate – You have the right to terminate therapeutic services with Paola Bailey, PsyD. at any time without any legal or financial obligations other than those already accrued. We ask that you discuss your decision with us in session before terminating or at least contact us by phone letting me know you are terminating services.
● Right to Release Information with Written Consent – With your written consent, any part of your record can be released to any person or agency you designate. Together, we will discuss whether or not Paola Bailey, PsyD thinks releasing the information in question to that person or agency might be harmful to you.
Therapist’s Duties:
Paola Bailey, PsyD is required by law to maintain the privacy of PHI and to provide you with a notice of my legal duties and privacy practices with respect to PHI. Paola Bailey, PsyD reserves the right to change the privacy policies and practices described in this notice. Unless we notify you of such changes, however, we are required to abide by the terms currently in effect. If Paola Bailey, PsyD revises the policies and procedures, we will provide you with a revised notice in office during our session.
COMPLAINTS
If you are concerned that Paola Bailey, PsyD has violated your privacy rights, or you disagree with a decision we made about access to your records, you may contact me or the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.