Privacy Policy for Center for Seeking Peace, PLLC

This Notice of Privacy Practices is provided to you by the Center for Seeking Peace PLLC, located at 5511 Princess Anne Road, Suite 200 in Virginia Beach, VA. The purpose of this notice is to inform you of how your protected health information (PHI) may be used and disclosed, as well as your rights and our obligations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

1. OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR PRIVACY:

 At the Center for Seeking Peace PLLC, we are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your PHI. We understand the importance of safeguarding your personal health information and will only use and disclose it as permitted by law.

2. HOW YOUR INFORMATION MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED:

 We may use and disclose your PHI for the following purposes:

1. Treatment: We may use your PHI to provide you with mental health services, coordinate your care with other healthcare providers, and consult with other professionals involved in your treatment.
2. Payment: We may use and disclose your PHI to bill and collect payment for the services we provide. This may include sharing your information with insurance companies, government agencies, and other third-party payers.
3. Healthcare Operations: We may use and disclose your PHI for our internal operations, such as quality improvement, staff training, and compliance activities. This helps us ensure that we are providing you with the best possible care.
4. Appointment Reminders: We may use your contact information to provide appointment reminders or to communicate with you about changes to your scheduled appointments.
5. Required by Law: We may use and disclose your PHI when required by law, such as reporting communicable diseases, complying with court orders, or responding to law enforcement requests.
6. Research: In certain circumstances, we may use or disclose your PHI for research purposes. However, your information will be anonymized or obtained with your explicit consent to protect your privacy.
7. Business Associates: We may share your PHI with third-party business associates who perform services on our behalf. These business associates are also required to protect the privacy of your information.
8. Other Uses and Disclosures: For any other uses and disclosures not mentioned in this notice, we will obtain your written authorization. You have the right to revoke any authorization at any time.

Text Message Disclaimer: We may contact you via text messaging for appointment reminders and communications related to your care. No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties. 

By providing my phone number to the Center for Seeking Peace PLLC, I agree and acknowledge that the Center for Seeking Peace PLLC may send text messages to my wireless phone number for any purpose, including appointment reminders and urgent notifications. Message and data rates may apply. We will only send one SMS as a reply to you, and you can opt-out at any time by replying "STOP". 

3. YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR PHI:

 As a patient, you have the following rights concerning your PHI:

1. Right to Access: You have the right to request and obtain a copy of your PHI held by the Center for Seeking Peace PLLC. Reasonable fees may apply for copying and processing your request.
2. Right to Request Amendments: If you believe that your PHI is incorrect or incomplete, you have the right to request amendments. We may deny your request if we determine that the information is accurate and complete.
3.  Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You have the right to request an accounting of disclosures of your PHI made by the Center for Seeking Peace PLLC, except for disclosures related to treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.
4. Right to Request Restrictions: You have the right to request restrictions on how your PHI is used and disclosed for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations. However, we are not obligated to agree to your requested restrictions unless required by law.
5. Right to Request Confidential Communications: You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your PHI in a certain way or at a specific location to protect your privacy.
6. Right to Receive a Copy of this Notice: You have the right to obtain a paper copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices upon request, even if you have previously received an electronic copy.

4. OUR DUTIES:

 We are required by law to:

1. Maintain the privacy and security of your PHI.
2. Provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices, explaining our legal duties and privacy practices regarding your PHI.
3. Abide by the terms of the notice currently in effect.
4. Notify you in the event of a breach of your unsecured PHI.

5. CONTACT INFORMATION:

 If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints about our privacy practices or would like to exercise your rights, please contact:

Callicia Alvarez

Center for Seeking Peace PLLC

5511 Princess Anne Road, Suite 200

Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Phone: 757-704-4747

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the Secretary of Health and Human Services. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

We reserve the right to amend this Notice of Privacy Practices at any time. Any revised notice will be posted prominently in our facility and on our website.

Thank you for taking the time to review this Notice. We are dedicated to protecting your privacy and maintaining the confidentiality of your PHI.