Your privacy matters

This notice describes how medical 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), and the federal Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records law (42 U.S.C. 290dd-2, 42 C.F.R. Part 2). Under these laws, Archangel Centers may not tell a person outside of Archangel Centers that you attend the program, nor may we disclose information identifying you as someone with an alcohol or drug use condition, except as permitted by federal law.

This notice describes the practices of

• Any health care professional allowed to enter information into your chart.
• Any employee we allow to help you while you are here.
• All employees of any hospital, clinic, laboratory, or other facility affiliated with Archangel Centers.

Archangel Centers uses health information about you for treatment, to obtain payment for treatment, for administrative purposes, and to evaluate the quality of care that you receive. Your health information is contained in a medical record that is the physical property of Archangel Centers. We understand that health information about you is personal, and we are committed to protecting it. We are required by law to:

• Make sure that medical information that identifies you is kept private.
• Give you this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices.
• Accommodate reasonable requests to communicate health information by alternative means or at alternative locations.
• Follow the terms of the notice that is currently in effect.

How we may use and disclose your information

For treatment

We may use your health information to provide you with medical treatment and services. Health care providers, such as a physician, nurse, or counselor, will need information in your record related to your treatment to determine what care you should receive and to record how you respond.

For payment

We may use and disclose your health information to receive payment for treatment and services you receive. For example, a bill may be sent to you or to a third party such as an insurance company, HMO, or health plan. The bill may contain information that identifies you, your diagnosis, and the treatment or supplies used.

For health care operations

We may use and disclose health information for operational purposes, including disclosure to members of the medical staff, risk or quality improvement personnel, and others to evaluate the performance of our staff, assess the quality of care and outcomes, learn how to improve our facilities and services, and continually improve the quality and effectiveness of the care we provide.

For drug testing

With your voluntary consent, you may authorize the collection and testing of your specimen and the release of results to the ordering facility and your insurance company, and authorize your insurance company to pay Archangel Centers and its affiliated laboratories directly for services rendered.

For appointments and health-related services

We may use your information to provide appointment reminders and to tell you about treatment alternatives or other health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you.

For others involved in your care

We may release relevant health information to a family member, friend, or anyone else you designate so that person can be involved in your care or in payment related to your care. We may also disclose health information to those assisting in disaster relief efforts so that your status, condition, and location can be communicated.

For fundraising

Archangel Centers does not use your information for fundraising unless authorized, in writing, by you.

As required by law or as needed

We may use and disclose information about you as required by law, including for judicial and administrative proceedings pursuant to a court order; to prevent or control disease, injury, or disability; to report births and deaths; to report reactions to medications or problems with products; to notify a person exposed to a disease; to notify proper authorities if we believe a client has been the victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence (with your agreement or as authorized by law); to avert a serious threat to health and safety; to enable funeral directors or coroners to carry out their duties; and to comply with laws related to workers' compensation.

For public health and health oversight

Your information may be used or disclosed for public health activities, such as assisting public health authorities to prevent or control disease, injury, or disability. We may also disclose information to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law, including audits, investigations, and inspections to monitor the health care system and compliance with regulations.

For other uses

Other uses and disclosures will be made only with your written authorization. You may revoke an authorization except to the extent that Archangel Centers has already taken action in reliance on it.

For collaboration

To provide appropriate and comprehensive treatment while you are enrolled in our program, we may need to collaborate with additional employees and contractors of Archangel Centers and its subsidiaries on your behalf. Any communication will be on a need-to-know basis with minimal information discussed.

Text messaging (SMS)

SMS consent will not be shared with any third party, nor will the phone numbers collected for SMS purposes.

Your health information rights under HIPAA

You have the right to:

• Obtain a copy of this notice of information practices upon request.
• Request an amendment to your health information under certain circumstances.
• Request confidential communication of your health information by alternative means or at alternative locations (this request applies only to this provider or location).
• Receive an accounting of disclosures made of your health information.
• Request a restriction on certain uses and disclosures, though Archangel Centers is not required to agree to a requested restriction.

Archangel Centers reserves the right to change the terms of this notice and make the new terms effective for all protected health information we keep. A copy of the current notice will be posted in the facility. You may also obtain a current copy by contacting our Executive Director.

Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with Archangel Centers by submitting a written complaint to our Executive Director at the address of this notice. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.

Questions or to file a complaint

If you have questions about this notice, want to exercise one of your rights, or want to file a complaint, please contact Archangel Centers at (888) 464-2144 or by email at info@archangelcenters.com.