You have the right to obtain a copy of your health information.

You may ask to see or obtain an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other health information we maintain about you, subject to limitations provided by law. Psychotherapy notes, as that term is defined under HIPAA, are generally not included in the right of access.

We generally will provide a copy or summary of your health information within the time required by law. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee when permitted by law.

You have the right to ask us to correct your health information.

If you believe information in your record is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask us to amend it. We may deny your request in certain circumstances, but if we do, we will explain the reason in writing as required by law.

You have the right to request confidential communications.

You may ask us to contact you in a particular way—for example, at a particular telephone number or email address—or to send communications to a different address. We will accommodate reasonable requests.

You have the right to ask us to limit what we use or disclose.

You may ask us not to use or disclose certain health information for treatment, payment, or health care operations. We are not generally required to agree to these requests.

However, if you pay for a health care service completely out of pocket and ask us not to disclose information about that service to your health plan for payment or health care operations, we will honor the request when required by law.

You have the right to receive an accounting of certain disclosures.

You may request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your health information. The accounting generally does not include disclosures made for treatment, payment, or health care operations or disclosures you specifically authorized, among other exceptions permitted by law.

You have the right to receive a copy of this Notice.

You may request a paper or electronic copy of this Notice at any time, even if you previously agreed to receive it electronically.

You have the right to choose someone to act for you.

If you have given someone medical power of attorney or someone is otherwise legally authorized to act for you, that person may exercise your rights and make choices about your health information to the extent authorized by law.

We will verify the person’s authority before taking action.

You have the right to complain if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.

You may contact Honeybee & Hive Counseling using the information at the end of this Notice.

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights.

We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

For certain health information, you may tell us your preferences about what we disclose.

For example, in circumstances permitted by law, you may tell us whether we may disclose relevant information to a family member, friend, or other person involved in your care or payment for your care.

If you are unable to tell us your preference—for example, because of an emergency—we may disclose information when permitted by law and when we determine that doing so is in your best interest. Because mental health information is afforded additional confidentiality protections under Illinois law, we will also comply with applicable Illinois requirements before making such a disclosure.

We may use or disclose your health information when permitted or required by applicable federal and Illinois law. Because Illinois law provides substantial additional protection for mental health records and communications, some disclosures that HIPAA might otherwise permit may require your written consent or another specific legal basis under Illinois law.

Treatment

We may use your health information to provide, coordinate, or manage your care and, when permitted by applicable law, disclose information to other health care professionals involved in your treatment.

For example, with appropriate legal authority, your therapist may communicate with another health care provider involved in your care.

Payment

We may use and disclose health information as permitted by law to bill and obtain payment for services. This may include communicating with your health insurance plan about coverage or payment.

Illinois law may limit the information disclosed for payment or collection purposes, and we will disclose only information permitted by applicable law.

Health Care Operations

We may use and disclose health information as permitted by law to operate our practice and improve the quality of care we provide. Examples may include clinical supervision, quality assessment, compliance activities, business administration, and other health care operations authorized by law.

Appointment Reminders and Information About Services

We may use your health information to contact you about appointments and, when permitted by law, about treatment alternatives or health-related services that may be relevant to your care.

When Required or Permitted by Law

In limited circumstances, we may use or disclose health information without your written authorization when applicable law permits or requires us to do so.

Depending upon the circumstances and applicable federal and Illinois law, these may include certain disclosures:

• Required by law;
• Concerning suspected abuse or neglect when reporting is legally required;
• Necessary to prevent or address certain serious threats to health or safety;
• For authorized health oversight activities;
• For certain judicial or administrative proceedings when the legal requirements for disclosure have been satisfied;
• For certain law enforcement purposes;
• To coroners or medical examiners when authorized by law;
• For workers’ compensation purposes when authorized by law; or
• For other specialized governmental or legally required purposes.

These categories do not mean that Honeybee & Hive will automatically disclose mental health records in these circumstances. We will disclose information only when the particular disclosure is authorized or required under applicable law.

Psychotherapy Notes

Psychotherapy notes receive special protection under HIPAA.

Except in limited circumstances specifically permitted or required by law, we must obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing psychotherapy notes.

Your authorization is generally also required for most uses or disclosures of PHI for marketing purposes and for a sale of PHI.

Honeybee & Hive does not sell your PHI.

Substance Use Disorder Records

Certain substance use disorder (“SUD”) treatment records may receive additional confidentiality protections under federal law, including 42 CFR Part 2.

To the extent Honeybee & Hive creates, receives, or maintains records protected by Part 2, we will use and disclose those records only as permitted by applicable law.

A record of SUD treatment protected by Part 2, or testimony describing the content of such a record, generally may not be used or disclosed in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings against you unless authorized by your written consent or by a court order after you have been provided notice and an opportunity to be heard, as required by applicable law.

Part 2 records are also subject to additional restrictions regarding use and disclosure, and you have rights concerning those records under federal law.

We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.

We will notify you as required by law if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.

We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in the Notice currently in effect.

We will not use or disclose your health information other than as described in this Notice or otherwise permitted or required by law unless you authorize us to do so in writing.

If you authorize us to use or disclose your health information, you generally may revoke that authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent we have already acted in reliance on it or as otherwise provided by law.

We may change the terms of this Notice, and changes may apply to all health information we maintain about you.

If we materially change our privacy practices, we will make the revised Notice available as required by law. The current Notice will be available upon request and on our website.