Read Our Privacy Policy
This notice describes how information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information.
Protected Information
While working with Families First Counseling Services, information regarding your medical history, treatment, social history and other issues including payment for services may be created or received by us. Information which can be used to identify you relating to your medical care or payment for your medical care is protected by state and federal law ("Protected Health Information or Protected Information").
Your Rights
Federal law grants you certain rights with respect to your Protected Information. Specifically, you have the right to:
- Receive notice of our policies and procedures regarding your Protected Information;
- Request that certain uses of your Protected Information be limited; but we have the right to refuse your request;
- Access to your Protected Information; but the request must be in writing and may be denied in certain limited situations;
- Request that your Protected Health Information be changed;
- Obtain an accounting of certain disclosures by us of your Protected Health Information for the past six years;
- Revoke in writing any prior authorizations for use or disclosure of Protected Information, except to the extent that action has already been taken; and
- Request communications of your Protected Information are done by reasonable alternative means or at alternative locations such as by e-mail.
Our Responsibilities
Federal law also imposes certain obligations and duties upon Families First Counseling Services with respect to your Protected Information. Specifically, we are required to:
- Provide you with notice of our legal duties and Families First Counseling Services' policies regarding the use and disclosure of your Protected Information;
- Maintain the confidentiality of your Protected Information in accordance with state and federal law and Families First Counseling Services policies;
- Review your requested limits regarding the use and disclosure of your Protected Information and inform you if these restrictions will be used;
- Allow you to inspect and copy your Protected Health Information in the presence of Families First Counseling Services staff as designated by Families First Counseling Services during our regular business hours pursuant to any legal restrictions. This access may be limited based on various factors including the type of information requested and if the information involves someone other than you;
- Act on your request to amend Protected Health Information within sixty (60) days and notify you of any delay which would require us to extend the deadline by the permitted thirty (30) day extension. Although this does not guarantee that amendment will occur. Families First Counseling Services will determine in its sole discretion if the amendment is appropriate;
- Accommodate reasonable requests to communicate Protected Information by alternative means or methods; and
- Abide by the terms of this notice.
How Your Protected Information May be Used and Disclosed
Generally, your Protected Information may be used and disclosed for provision of services, treatment, payment or for running Families First Counseling Services, or as required by law. Protected information may be shared/forwarded in person, on the phone, by mail, fax, electronically or other available means. This includes a variety of areas:
Treatment Purposes
We may use or disclose your Protected Information for treatment purposes, including continuing care and case or care management. While receiving services from Families First Counseling Services, it may be necessary for various personnel, including, but not limited to, physicians, mental health professionals, therapists, caseworkers and others involved in your services to have access to your Protected Health Information in order to provide you with appropriate services. This may include contract agencies with Families First Counseling Services or other entities you are working with or receiving services from. Specific examples include:
- Records and information may be shared with other Families First Counseling Services staff members for administrative or therapeutic purposes including supervision.
- To coordinate services among workers, foster parents and volunteers. Information is to be shared on a need-to-know basis. All workers, foster parents and volunteers must maintain the confidentiality of the information received.
- When Juvenile Court is involved, records may be shared with Juvenile Court Officers. Information about a child may be shared with the child’s Guardian ad Litem.
- In the event of a legitimate subpoena or court order for court appearance or release of records.
- In the event of medical emergency.
- The receipt of information that suggests child abuse, dependent adult abuse or neglect has occurred. Families First Counseling Services is legally obligated to report any such information to DHS.
- Under circumstances in which there exists a danger to yourself or others
- Auditors, including state or federal agencies, may review your records to evaluate program effectiveness.
Payment Purposes
Your Protected Information may also be used or disclosed for payment purposes. It is necessary for us to use or disclose Protected Information so that treatment and services provided by us may be billed and collected from you, your insurance company, DHS or another group. Bills requesting payment will usually include information which identifies you, services received and supplies used. It may also be necessary to release Protected Information to obtain prior approval for services or to assess the type of services needed.
Notification
Unless you have informed us otherwise, your Protected Information may be used or disclosed by us to notify or assist in notifying you, a family member, or other person responsible for your care. This may include appointment reminders such as telephone calls.
Communication with Family Members and Caregivers
With your permission, or by court or agency order, we will release Protected Information to a family member, relative or other person who is involved in your care to the extent necessary for them to participate in your care.
Public Health Activities
We are required to use or disclose your Protected Information for public health activities and purposes. Examples of public health activities which would warrant the use or disclosure of your Protected Information include:
- Preventing or controlling disease, injury or disability;
- Reporting births or deaths;
- Reporting the abuse or neglect of a child or dependent adult;
- Reporting reactions to medications or problems with products; or
- Notifying individuals exposed to a disease that may be at risk for contracting or spreading the disease.
Families First Counseling Services has a contract with the Department of Human Services to provide services to families. This contract allows/mandates the Families First Counseling Services staff to exchange information with the DHS staff or other groups who also work with DHS. Part of this exchange includes sending to DHS quarterly/progress reports and summary letters upon the termination of our services with you or your family.