My office operates in compliance with HIPAA (Health Insurance and Portability Accountability Act) regulations, which were designed to provide a high level of confidentiality and protection regarding your health information. Companies like Capital Blue Cross also require compliance with HITECH (Health Insurance Technology for Economic and Clinical Health act). HITECH overall was created in support of HIPAA and is concerned with five goals:
1. Improve quality, safety, and efficiency
2. Engage patients in their care
3. Increase coordination of care
4. Improve the health status of the population, and
5. Ensure privacy and security
In regard to EHR’s (Electronic Health Records), I do not keep full client files online. What does have exposure to an online environment are documents sent for signature and when I use the insurance-required online claim submission for processing. Otherwise, your records are kept in paper offline. Though HITECH pushes for EHR, it is more for hospitals and doctors. Regardless, it is not required and I consider it more protective of my clients’ privacy not to keep information in an online format. Furthermore, all records are destroyed after a certain number of years, usually seven (7) years upon completion of therapy. I also keep detailed notes separate from client meeting record and therefore they are less accessible.
The following privacy policy applies to the use of this website:
My practice does not sell, rent, trade or otherwise distribute externally any personal information about those visiting this web site. We do reserve the right to use the information for internal tracking and statistical analysis, including but not limited to determining the number of visitors to the site, analyzing which sections are most accessed, length of stay per visitor and number of repeat visits.
Usage Rules
By continuing to browse my web site, you agree not to use any information obtained for any purpose that is illegal, unlawful, unethical or prohibited by copyright or this agreement.
By continuing to browse the site, you also expressly agree that you do so at your own risk. I confess I’m not clear as to what the risk could be.
Links to other Web Sites
As a convenience to visitors, we may provide links to web sites operated by other organizations. Such links do not imply or convey endorsement. Further, these organizations are not covered under this agreement and are solely responsible for the content, security, terms of use and privacy issues of their web sites. We are absolved from responsibility for any repercussions experienced on other linked web sites.