Privacy Policy for Blue Coast

This notice describes the privacy policy of Blue Coast Behavioral Health (https://www.bluecoastbehavioralhealth.com). It includes how your medical information may be utilized and disclosed. It also includes information on how you may access your information or request how our staff handles your medical records. Blue Coast Behavioral Health strictly adheres to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards as required by law.

Your privacy is important to us. We respect your right to privacy regarding any information we collect. This privacy policy was developed so you can understand how we collect, protect, and make use of such personal information. Our policy is outlined below.

Blue Coast Behavioral Health’s Responsibilities

We maintain the security and privacy of your protected health information as required by law. We will reach out to you promptly if any potential security breaches may have compromised the privacy of your personal health information. We will follow the duties describe in this notice and give you a copy of it upon intake. We will not use or disclose your private health information other than described here unless we obtain written consent from you. If you provide consent for us to use your information, you may withdraw your consent at any time with or without cause. We ask that these requests be submitted in writing for our records.

Privacy Policy Term Changes

We reserve the right to change the terms of this notice at any time. Any changes will be reflected on this page, and any new notices are available upon request in our office.

Other Uses and Disclosures

There are three main avenues that we typically use or share your health information.

For your treatment: We can use your health information to inform your care and share with other professionals who are treating you. For example: A psychiatrist evaluating you for treatment asks one of our counselors for an overall treatment history.
To improve our program: We can use and share your personal health information to run our program, improve your personal treatment plan, and contact you when required. For example: One of our counselors assigns specific recovery goals to manage your treatment.
To bill for your care with us: We can use and share your health information to bill and get payment from health insurance companies or other covering entities. For example: We give your information to your health insurance provider so they will pay for services rendered.

Other Ways Health Information May Be Shared

We are permitted or required to share your information through other methods as well, usually in ways that contribute to the public good such as public health and research. We must comply with many privacy conditions required by law before we can share your information for such reasons. For more information refer to: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/index.html

For public health and safety. We can share health information about you for situations including: reporting adverse reactions to medications, reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence, helping with product recalls, preventing disease, or preventing or reducing a serious threat to any individual’s safety.
We can share information for health research.
Work with a medical examiner or funeral director. We can share health information with a medical examiner if an individual is unexpectedly hospitalized. We can also share information with a funeral director or coroner when an individual dies.
Comply with the law. We will share information with the Department of Health and Human Services when required by health officials, and as further required by state or federal laws.
For government requests. We can use or share your information to address worker’s compensation, law enforcement, and other government requests.
In response to lawsuits and legal actions. We can share health information about you in response to court or administrative orders, including responses to subpoenas.

Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records

Your patient information is protected under federal law and regulations. Generally, our program may not share any of your personal information with a person outside of the program, and we do not disclose whether you are or are not enrolled with us unless:

The patient consents in writing
The disclosure is ordered by the court or a subpoena
The disclosure is to medical personnel during a medical emergency or to qualified personnel for research, audit, or program evaluations

For further information on our obligations for reporting to government entities, read about government requirements: Confidentiality for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Options for Handling Your Personal Information

For some personal health information, you can tell us your preferences about what we disclose. If you have a preference about how your information is handled, contact us in writing. We will follow your instructions as long as they are allowed within federal and state regulations.

Receive an electronic or printed copy of your medical record. We may provide a copy or summary of your health information within 30 days of your request. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
Receive a copy of this privacy notice. You may ask for a printed version of this notice at any time, and we will provide it promptly.
Designate someone to act for you. If you have designated a medical power of attorney or if you have a legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information. We will verify this person’s authority before we take any action.
Request confidential communication. You may tell us your preferred method of communication (i.e. call or text message), or change your mailing address.
Ask us to correct your medical records. If you believe your information is incorrect or incomplete, you may request correction by our contact form or by calling our business phone number. We reserve the right to refuse your request, but we will provide a reason in writing within 90 days.
Receive a list of entities with whom we’ve shared your information. You can ask for a list of who we shared your information with and why for up to six years prior to the date of the request. We will provide one share report per year for free but may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee if you request another report within 12 months.
Request us to limit what we use or disclose. We are not required to agree to your request and reserve the right to refuse if it would affect your care. If you pay out-of-pocket for services, you can ask us not to share your information for the purpose of payment with your health insurer.
File a complaint if you feel your rights are violated. You can complain by contacting us directly at the number provided at the bottom of this page. You can also file a civil complaint with the US Department of Health and Human Services by calling 1 (877) 691-0977, sending a written letter to 200 Independence Ave, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201, or visiting www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/. We will not retaliate against any complaints made against us.

If you have questions about this Agreement, or if you have technical questions about the operation of the Websites, please ask for Christian Butler via email at: https://www.bluecoastbehavioralhealth.com/contact-blue-coast/