Fertility Acupuncture Seattle | Fertility Acupuncture Bellevue

Privacy of Practice

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Tree of Life Acupuncture is required by law to maintain the privacy of your Protected Health Information (PHI), provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices, and follow the terms currently in effect.

Protected Health Information includes information that identifies you and relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health, healthcare services, or payment for healthcare.

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Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

You have the right to:

Access Your Records

You may request to inspect or obtain a copy of your medical record in paper or electronic form. We may charge a reasonable cost based fee where permitted by law.

Request an Amendment

If you believe information we maintain is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment. We may deny certain requests as permitted by HIPAA.

Request Confidential Communications

You may request that we contact you in a specific way, such as at a particular phone number, email, or mailing address.

Request Restrictions

You may ask us not to use or disclose certain PHI for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. While we will consider your request, we are not required to agree except where required by law.

Accounting of Disclosures

You may request a list of certain disclosures of your PHI made by Tree of Life Acupuncture.

Copy of This Notice

You may request a paper copy of this notice at any time.

Choose a Personal Representative

You may designate an authorized person to act on your behalf regarding your PHI.

File a Complaint

You may file a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.

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How We May Use and Disclose Your PHI

We may use and disclose PHI without your written authorization for:

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Treatment

To provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare, including consultation with other healthcare providers involved in your care.

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Payment

To obtain payment for services provided to you, including billing you or your insurance provider.

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Healthcare Operations

For clinic operations such as:

• Quality assessment and improvement
• Staff training and education
• Licensing and accreditation
• Administrative and business management

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Other Permitted or Required Uses and Disclosures

We may disclose PHI as required or permitted by law, including:

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Public Health Activities

Such as preventing disease, reporting adverse reactions, or complying with public health investigations.

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Health Oversight Activities

Audits, inspections, licensure, and regulatory compliance reviews.

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Judicial and Administrative Proceedings

In response to lawful court orders or legal processes.

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Law Enforcement

When required by law or permitted under HIPAA.

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Serious Threat to Health or Safety

To prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat.

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Workers Compensation

As authorized by law.

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Coroners, Medical Examiners, Funeral Directors

As necessary to carry out their duties.

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Organ and Tissue Donation

Where applicable.

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Research

Only under strict privacy protections and legal requirements.

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Uses Requiring Your Written Authorization

We will obtain your written authorization for:

• Uses not otherwise permitted by HIPAA
• Most marketing communications
• Sale of PHI
• Psychotherapy notes (if applicable)

You may revoke authorization at any time in writing.

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Business Associates

We may share PHI with Business Associates performing services on our behalf, including:

• Billing services
• Electronic health record providers
• IT support vendors

Business Associates are contractually required to safeguard PHI.

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Electronic Communications

We may communicate with you via:

• Phone
• Text message
• Email
• Patient portal

These methods may involve privacy risks. You may request alternative confidential communication methods.

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Minimum Necessary Standard

We make reasonable efforts to limit PHI uses, disclosures, and requests to the minimum necessary information.

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Recording and Photography Policy

To protect patient privacy and confidentiality:

Unauthorized audio recording, video recording, or photography is not permitted within the clinic without prior authorization.

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Our Responsibilities

Tree of Life Acupuncture is required to:

• Maintain the privacy and security of PHI
• Provide this notice
• Follow its terms
• Notify you of breaches of unsecured PHI
• Provide revised notices when practices change

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Changes to This Notice

We reserve the right to change this notice. Updates will apply to all PHI we maintain and will be posted in our office and on our website.

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Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may contact:

Privacy Officer: Jack Handlin
Phone: 425.732.3201
Email: info@treeoflife-acupuncture.com

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.

Compliance with Law

Tree of Life Acupuncture complies with applicable federal and Washington State laws governing the privacy and protection of health information.