Client Notice

Information regarding your health care, including payment for health care, is protected by two federal laws; the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), 42 U.S.C. § 1320d et seq., 45 C.F.R. Parts 160 & 164, and the Confidentiality Law, 42 U.S.C. § 290dd-2, 42 C.F.R. Part 2. Under these laws, Guidance/Care Center may not disclose any information identifying you as an alcohol or drug abuser, or disclose any other protected information except as permitted by federal law.

Guidance/Care Center must obtain your written consent before it can disclose information about you for payment purposes. For example, Guidance/Care Center must obtain your written consent before it can disclose information to your health insurer in order to be paid for services. Generally, you must also sign a written consent before Guidance/Care Center can share information for treatment purposes or for health care operations. However, federal law permits Guidance/Care Center to disclose information without your written permission:

1. Pursuant to an agreement with a qualified service organization / business associate;
2. For research, audit or evaluations;
3. To report a crime committed on Guidance/Care Center’s premises or against Guidance/Care Center personnel;
4. To medical personnel in a medical emergency;
5. To appropriate authorities to report suspected child abuse or neglect;
6. As allowed by a court order.

For example, Guidance/Care Center can disclose information without your consent to obtain legal or financial services, or to another medical facility to provide health care to you, as long as there is a qualified service organization / business associate agreement in place.

Before Guidance/Care Center can use or disclose any information about your health in a manner that is not described above, it must first obtain your specific written consent allowing it to make the disclosure. Any such written consent may be revoked by you, in writing.