Summary Notice of Privacy Practices

This notice describes how medical, mental health, alcohol and drug-related information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information.

Information about your health care, including payment, is protected by State and Federal Law (The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, 42 U.S.C., 45 C.F.R. Parts 160 and 164, and the Confidentiality Law, 42 U.S.C., 42 C.F.R. Part 2.)
Under these laws, the Shelby County Veterans Court Team may not say to any person outside of the agency that you receive services from us without your consent.
Generally, the Shelby County Veterans Court Team must get your written consent before we can release information about you.
You may cancel your consent in writing at any time. You cannot cancel consent for information that has already been released.

Please be advised that Federal law allows us to release some information without your written permission:

If the stated agency has an agreement with an outside organization (business associate)
For audit or program evaluation purposes
To report a crime committed on our property or against staff;
To medical personnel in case of a medical emergency;
To report suspected child abuse or neglect; or
As allowed by a court order

Your Rights Regarding Your Information:

To Request Restriction- You may ask us to limit certain disclosure of your information. The agency will consider your request, but does not have to agree. If your request is granted, we will comply except in emergency situations. We cannot agree to limit uses or releases that are required by law.
Request Confidential Communication: You may let us know how and where you would like to be contacted. Your request must be in writing.
Inspect and Copy: In most cases you have the right to see or obtain copies for your records. You must make your request in writing using the Consent for Release of Confidential Information. You may be charged for copies of records.
Amend/Correct: You may ask us to change information in your records if you think there is a mistake. However, we will not erase the original information. You must make a written request that explains your reason(s). We do not have to agree to your request for changes if we determine, among other things, that the current information is correct and complete.
An Accounting of Disclosures: You may ask for a list of persons to whom your health information has been released (since April 2003). The first list will be free. We may charge for additional lists. We will tell you about any charges and allow you to change your request.
A Paper Copy of This Notice: You may ask us for a complete copy of this notice at any time

Agency Duties:

State and Federal laws require us to keep your health information private and give you this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices. By law, we will follow the terms of this notice.
We have the right to change this notice. Any changes will apply to information we already have about you, as well as any future information.
We will post a copy of the current notice in each facility.