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Privacy Practices

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
Effective May 15, 2021

To our clients

This notice describes how all confidential information gathered by FirstLook about you, as a client of this organization, may be used and disclosed, and how you gain access to your information.  This is required by the Privacy Regulations created as a result of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the Texas Privacy and Security Regulation TX HB300.

Our commitment to your privacy

Our center is dedicated to maintaining the privacy of all of the information that we obtain from you.  FirstLook is required by law to maintain the confidentiality of your information and although FirstLook realizes that these laws are complicated, we must provide you with the following information:

Use and disclosure of your confidential information in certain special circumstances which may require us to use or disclose your confidential information:

Treatment

  • To provide, coordinate, or manage your health care and related services such as;
    • FirstLook may consult with other healthcare providers regarding your treatment and coordinate and manage your healthcare with others.
    • FirstLook may use or disclose protected health information about your treatment activities to another healthcare provider.

FirstLook Care Operations

  • Training programs for our staff members
  • Cooperating with outside legal entities
  • Release of confidential information to public health authorities and health oversight agencies that are authorized by law to collect this type of information.
  • Lawsuits and similar proceedings in response to court and administrative order
  • If required to do so by a law enforcement official
  • Marketing purposes with your written permission for internal referral board, testimonials, pictures on bulletin boards,sending newsletters or information unrelated to healthcare.
  • Sharing with your health plan to determine your eligibility for government benefits in a health plan
  • Sharing with a Business Associate who may need the information to perform services on our behalf and who agrees to protect the privacy and security of your confidential information according to agency standards
  • Sharing your confidential information with a disaster relief organization for purposes of notifying the appropriate people of your location and status in an emergency
  • To alert authorities about abuse, neglect, and domestic violence.  If suspected, we will make every effort to obtain your permission.  However, in some cases we may be required or authorized to alert the authorities.
  • To create or share de-identified or partially de-identified health information (limited data sets)
  • Reporting pregnancy outcomes to the Abortion Pill Recovery Network
  • When necessary to reduce or prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of another individual or the public.  FirstLook will only make disclosures to a person or organization able to help prevent the threat, such as:
    • If you are a member of the U.S. or foreign military forces (including veterans) and if required by the appropriate authorities
    • To federal officials for intelligence and national security activities authorized by law
    • To correctional institutions or law enforcement officials if your an inmate or under the custody of a law enforcement official
    • For Workers Compensation and similar programs

Your rights regarding your confidential information

  • You may request that FirstLook communicate with you about your health and/or other services offered at FirstLook and related issues in a particular manner or at a certain location.  For instance, you may request that FirstLook contact you at home rather than work.  FirstLook will accommodate reasonable requests and will ask you to provide a password for phone privacy.
  • You may request a restriction in our use or disclosure of your confidential information for treatment or healthcare operations.  Additionally, you have the right to request that FirstLook restrict our disclosure of your confidential information to only certain individuals involved in your care, such as family members and friends.  FirstLook is not required to agree to your request.  However, if we do agree, we are bound by our agreement except when otherwise required by law, in emergencies, or when the information is necessary to treat you.
  • You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your confidential information that may be used to make decisions about you, including client records and non-medical records, but not including psychotherapy notes.  You must submit your request in writing to our Privacy Officer.
  • You may ask us to amend your confidential information if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete, as long as the information is kept by or for our practice.  To request an amendment, your request must be made in writing and submitted to the Privacy Officer.  You must provide us with a reason that supports your request for the amendment.
  • Right to a copy of this notice:  You are entitled to receive a copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices.  You may ask us to give you a copy at any time.  To obtain a copy of this notice, contact our Privacy Officer.
  • Right to file a grievance:  If you believe that your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our practice or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services at https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/faq/352/if-i-believe-that-my-privacy-rights-have-been-violated-when-can-i-submit-a-complaint/index.html.  To file a grievance with our practice, contact our Privacy Officer.  All reports must be submitted in writing.  You will not be penalized for filing a grievance.
  • Right to provide an authorization for other uses and disclosures:  Our practice will obtain your written authorization for uses and disclosures that are not identified by this notice or permitted by applicable law.
  • In accordance with the standards of implementation specifications of 45 CFR § 164.524, Provider may grant an individual access to inspect and obtain a copy of confidential information about the individual in a designated record set.
    • The designated record set that is subject to access by an individual is as follows:
      • Medical Records
      • Support Services Records

If you have any questions regarding this notice or our confidential information privacy policies, please contact our Privacy Officer.  If the Privacy Officer is unavailable, please contact the CEO of FirstLook.  You can reach either person at:

FirstLook:  A Sexual Health and Pregnancy Center

213 YMCA Dr.
Waxahachie, TX  75165
972-938-7900

Center Hours

Monday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Wednesday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Thursday 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

A message may be left for our Privacy Officer any time the clinic is open and your call will be returned within 7 business days.