Uses and Disclosures with Your Authorization: Protected Health Information
At Horizon Services, we will only use or share your protected health information (PHI) when you give us written permission through a form that meets the legal and regulatory requirements. However, there are certain situations where your authorization is not required for us to use or disclose your information.
You have the right to revoke your authorization at any time, as long as we have not already acted based on your prior permission. If you are currently receiving care and wish to withdraw your authorization, you can do so by contacting your counselor. After you have been discharged, you will need to reach out to the Health Information Department to proceed. Additionally, please note that a court or another authorized third party may request or require you to provide authorization in certain cases. We do not sell client PHI under any circumstances.
Uses and Disclosures Without Your Authorization: Protected Health Information
In specific circumstances, Horizon Services may use or disclose your PHI without your written authorization. This applies to all PHI, including any information gathered during your application for or participation in substance use disorder treatment. Below are the conditions under which we may do so:
Treatment Purposes
We may use or disclose your PHI as necessary to provide treatment, including activities such as diagnosis, therapy, and discharge planning. For example, our counselors may share your information with one another to coordinate your individual and group therapy sessions, or they may provide you with information about additional treatment options or health-related benefits.
Health Care Operations
We may use or disclose PHI for operational purposes such as internal planning, quality assessments, and other activities to enhance the effectiveness of our care. For instance, we might review your PHI to evaluate staff performance or conduct audits, program evaluations, and financial assessments. These activities are strictly regulated, and no identifiable information will be included in any public reports. Additionally, we may share PHI with third-party service providers under qualified service organization agreements or business associate agreements, where these third parties agree to follow federal privacy regulations, including 42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA.
Other Permissible Uses and Disclosures without Authorization
Uses and Disclosures WITHOUT Your Authorization: PHI Not Related to Substance Use Disorder Treatment
For services unrelated to substance use disorder treatment, we may use or disclose PHI without your authorization under specific conditions. These include legal obligations, public health concerns, health oversight activities, or safety threats. We may also disclose information during legal proceedings if required by a valid court order, or to your authorized representative, and for audits by the Department of Health and Human Services when needed to enforce privacy regulations.
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