Client Notification of Privacy Standards

Melinda Macht-Greenberg, PhD

209 Burlington Road

Bedford, MA 01730

 

Uses and disclosures for treatment, payment and health care operations include that I may use or disclose your protected health information (PHI) for treatment, payment, and health care operations purposes with your consent if your name or any identifying information is linked to the content.

 

Uses and disclosures requiring written authorization include: any information shared that is beyond general consent.  For example, I would need your authorization to release any psychotherapy notes.  You may revoke all authorizations in writing at any time.  However, you may not revoke authorization to the extent that I have already shared the information relying on your authorization or if the authorization was obtained as a condition of your insurance coverage and when the law provides the right to contest the claim under the policy.

 

Uses and disclosures with neither consent nor authorization include: any suspicion or belief that a minor child is suffering from physical, emotional or sexual abuse or harm is being done to a child’s health or welfare from neglect.  I am a mandated reporter and would need to inform the Department of Child and Family Services.

 

In addition, if there is reasonable cause to believe that an elderly person is being neglected or abused.  If there is a serious threat to the health or safety of you or a minor child.  I would need to take all reasonable precautions to protect the individual which may include warning a potential victim, notifying law enforcement or arranging for psychiatric hospitalization. 

 

Also, if you file a worker’s compensation claim, your records relevant to the claim will not be confidential to those involved such as an employer, the insurer, or Division of Worker’s Compensation.  The Board of Registration of Psychologists has the power to suponea relevant records should I be the focus of an inquiry.  If you are involved in a court proceeding and a request is made for information about your diagnosis and treatment and the records thereof, such information is privileged under state law and I will not release information without written authorization from you or your legally appointed representative or a court order.  Privilege does not apply when you are being evaluated for a third party or where the evaluation is court-ordered.  Finally, the Board of Registration of Medicine requires that providers report unethical behavior conducted by a physician in the course of medical care.

 

As a patient/client, you have the right to: request restriciton on certain uses or disclosures of PHI.  However, as a psychologist, I am not required to agree with all restrictions that you request. You have the right to receive confidential information at an alternate location or by alternative means to protect your confidentiality.  You have a right to inspect or obtain a copy of PHI and psychotherapy notes in mental health or billing records.  In certain circumstances, your request may be denied but can be reviewed and I will thoroughly discuss the nature of the denial. I may be present if you choose to review your medical record to answer questions and discuss. 

 

I am required by law to maintain the privacy of PHI and to provide you with this notice of my legal duties.  I reserve the right to change the privacy policies and practices described in this notice and will tell you of such a change should it apply to your privacy or PHI.

 

If you are concerned that your privacy rights have been violated, you are so advised that you may send a written complaint to the office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of health and Human Services.