Privacy Policy
At Virginia Beach Diagnostics, your privacy is very important to us. This Notice explains how we collect, use, and protect your health information in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other applicable laws. This Notice applies to all records of your care generated by Virginia Beach Diagnostics, whether made by our staff or your healthcare provider.
1. HOW WE USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
We may use and disclose your health information for a variety of purposes, including the following:
A. Treatment
We may use and disclose your health information to provide, coordinate, or manage your care. For example:
- We may provide ultrasound imaging results to your referring physician or specialist.
- We may share diagnostic images with another healthcare provider for consultation or additional treatment.
B. Payment
We may use and disclose your health information to bill and collect payment for the services we provide. For example:
- We may send your health information to your health insurance plan to obtain authorization or to seek reimbursement for the diagnostic services you receive.
- We may disclose your health information to a third-party payer for payment processing.
C. Healthcare Operations
We may use and disclose your health information for healthcare operations that are necessary to ensure quality care, including:
• Conducting quality assurance reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of our services.
• Training healthcare professionals, such as interns or students, under our supervision.
• Introduce harmful software, viruses, or malicious code.
D. Appointment Reminders and Follow-up Communications
We may contact you for purposes related to your healthcare, including:
• Reminding you about an upcoming appointment.
• Communicating post-appointment instructions or follow-up care.
E. As Required by Law
We may disclose your health information when required by federal, state, or local laws, including:
• Reporting communicable diseases to public health authorities.
• Responding to a court order, subpoena, or search warrant.
• Complying with mandatory reporting requirements related to abuse or neglect.
F. Research (with your permission or when allowed by law)
We may use or disclose your health information for research purposes, but only with your written authorization or if the research meets certain privacy protections as allowed by law. We will always try to remove identifying information if possible.
G. Public Health and Safety
We may disclose your health information to appropriate authorities for public health activities, such as:
• Preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability.
• Reporting adverse events or product defects to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• Reporting to government entities regarding occupational injuries or worker’s compensation claims.
2. YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
As a patient, you have several rights regarding your health information:
A. Right to Inspect and Copy Your Health Information
You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your health information. This includes your diagnostic images and reports, medical records, and any other documents we maintain in relation to your care. Requests must be made in writing, and we may charge a fee for copies.
B. Right to Request an Amendment
If you believe that any part of your health information is inaccurate or incomplete, you have the right to request that we amend it. You must submit your request in writing, and we may deny the request if we determine the information is accurate or if it was not created by us.
C. Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You may request a list of disclosures we have made of your health information for purposes other than treatment, payment, and healthcare operations. This list will include the dates, recipients, and purpose of each disclosure.
D. Right to Request Restrictions
You have the right to request restrictions on how we use or disclose your health information. For example, you may ask us not to share information with a certain healthcare provider. We will consider your request but are not required to agree to it, except in certain situations, such as when the disclosure is for payment purposes.
E. Right to Confidential Communications
You have the right to request that we communicate with you in a certain way or at a specific location (e.g., calling your cell phone instead of your home phone) to protect your privacy.
F. Right to File a Complaint
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you have the right to file a complaint with Virginia Beach Diagnostics or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
3. HOW WE PROTECT YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
• At Virginia Beach Diagnostics, we are committed to maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and security of your health information. We employ several safeguards to protect your information from unauthorized access, including:
• Physical Safeguards: Locked files, secure workstations, and access-controlled areas to ensure your information is only accessible to authorized staff.
• Technical Safeguards: Encrypted communications and secure digital records to prevent unauthorized access to your health information.
• Administrative Safeguards: Staff training on privacy and security procedures, along with policies to ensure compliance with privacy laws and regulations.
4. HANDLING SENSITIVE INFORMATION
Certain health information may require additional protections. This includes information related to mental health, substance abuse, HIV status, genetic information, or other sensitive matters. We will handle such information in accordance with applicable laws, including any special consents or disclosures that may be required.
5. OTHER DICLOSURES AND USES
We may disclose your health information in the following specific situations:
• Family and Friends: If you wish, we may disclose your health information to a family member or other person involved in your care. We will obtain your consent prior to any disclosure, unless we determine that it is in your best interest to share the information.
• Business Associates: We may share your information with business associates (e.g., billing companies, IT support services) who assist in the operations of Virginia Beach Diagnostics. These associates are required to maintain the confidentiality of your health information.
6. CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE
We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and update this Notice at any time. If we make any significant changes to the way we handle your information, we will provide you with an updated version of this Notice. The most current version will be available on our website and at our office.
7. CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have any questions about this Notice or want to exercise your rights regarding your health information, please contact us:
Virginia Beach Diagnostics
936 General Booth Blvd Suite C
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
205-246-1079
info@vbdiagnostics.com
www.vbdiagnostics.com
Thank you for trusting Virginia Beach Diagnostics with your healthcare needs. Your privacy is our priority, and we are committed to protecting your personal health information.