NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
Effective Date: 7-18-2025
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.
Who We Are
This Notice applies to the medical practice of Gwynn Patterson, M.D., FACOG, including all employees and staff authorized to access your health information.
Our Responsibilities
We are required by law to:
- Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information (PHI)
- Provide you with this Notice explaining our legal duties and privacy practices
- Notify you if a breach occurs that may have compromised your information
- Follow the terms of this Notice currently in effect
How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information
We may use and share your health information for the following purposes without your written authorization:
Treatment
We may use or disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your health care. Example: We may share information with another doctor involved in your care.
Payment
We may use or disclose your PHI to bill and receive payment for services provided. Example: We may share your information with your insurance company.
Health Care Operations
We may use your information for administrative and quality improvement purposes. Example: We may use your data to monitor the performance of our staff.
Appointment Reminders and Communications
We may contact you by phone, email, or text to remind you of appointments or to follow up on your care.
As Required by Law
We may disclose your information when required by federal, state, or local law.
Public Health and Safety
We may share your information to help prevent disease, report abuse or neglect, or assist with product recalls.
Law Enforcement and Legal Proceedings
We may share your PHI with law enforcement if required, or in response to a court order or subpoena.
Health Oversight Activities
We may share your PHI with government agencies for audits, investigations, or licensure.
Other Uses and Disclosures
We will not use or share your information for marketing purposes or sell your information without your written permission.
Other uses and disclosures not described in this Notice will be made only with your written authorization. You may revoke this authorization at any time in writing.
Your Rights
You have the right to:
Request a copy of your medical record
You may request to view or get a paper or electronic copy of your medical records. We may charge a reasonable fee.
Request corrections
If you think your records are incorrect, you may request a correction. We may deny the request but will explain our reasoning.
Request confidential communications
You may ask us to contact you at a specific phone number or address.
Request restrictions on use or disclosure
You may request limits on how your information is shared. We are not required to agree but will comply when possible.
Receive a list of disclosures
You may request an accounting of disclosures made in the past six years, excluding those for treatment, payment, or operations.
Receive a paper copy of this Notice
You may request a printed version at any time, even if you’ve agreed to receive it electronically.
File a complaint
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Contact Information
To exercise your rights or file a complaint, contact:
Privacy Officer
Gwynn Patterson, M.D., FACOG
[Insert Practice Address]
Phone: [Insert Phone Number]
Email: [Insert Secure Practice Email]
You may also contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint/
Changes to This Notice
We may change the terms of this Notice at any time. Updates will apply to all records we maintain. The latest version will be posted on our website and available at our office.