Privacy Policy

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.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal program that requires that all medical and dental records and other individually identifiable health information used or disclosed by us in any form, whether electronically, on paper or orally, are kept properly confidential. This Act gives you, the patient, significant new rights to understand and control how your health information is used. HIPAA provides penalties for covered entities that misuse Protected Health Information (PHI).

This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how we may use and disclose your Protected Health Information (PHI) to carry out treatment, payment or health care operations (TPO) and for other purposes that are permitted or required by law. It also describes your rights to access and control your protected health information. "Protected health information" is information about you, including demographic information, that may identify you and that relates to your past, present or future physical or mental health or condition and related health care services.

Uses and Disclosures of Protected Health Information
Your Protected Health Information may be used and disclosed by your physician, our office staff and others outside of our office that are involved in your care and treatment for the purpose of providing health care services to you, to pay your health care bills, to support the operation of the practice, and any other use required by law.

Treatment: We will use and disclose your Protected Health Information to provide, coordinate, or manage your health care and any related services. This includes the coordination or management of your health care with a third party. For example, your protected health information may be provided to a physician to whom you have been referred to ensure that the health care professional has the necessary information to diagnose or treat you.

Payment: Your protected health information will be used, as needed, to obtain payment for health care services. For example, obtaining approval for a hospital stay may require that your relevant protected health information be disclosed to the health plan to obtain approval for the hospital admission.

Healthcare Operations: We may use or disclose, as-needed, your protected health information in order to support the business activities of your physician’s practice. These activities include, but are not limited to, quality assessment activities, employee review activities, and conducting or arranging for other business activities. We may use or disclose, as needed, your protected health information to support the business activities of this practice. In addition, we may use a sign-in sheet at the registration desk where you will be asked to sign your name and indicate your physician. We may also call you by name in the waiting room when your physician is ready to see you. We may use or disclose your protected health information, as necessary, to contact you to remind you of your appointment. We may call your home and leave a message (either on an answering machine or with the person answering the phone) to remind you of an upcoming appointment, the need to schedule a new appointment or to call our office. We may also mail a postcard reminder to your home address. If you would prefer that we call or contact you at another telephone number or location, please let us know.

We may use or disclose your protected health information in the following situations without your authorization. These situations include: as Required By Law, Public Health issues required by law, Communicable Diseases: Health Oversight: Abuse or Neglect: Food and Drug Administration requirements: Legal Proceedings: Law Enforcement: Coroners, Funeral Directors, and Organ Donation: Research: Criminal Activity: Military Activity and National Security: Workers’ Compensation: Inmates: Required Uses and Disclosures: Under the law, we must make disclosures to you and when required by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate or determine our compliance with the requirements of HIPAA.

Other Permitted and Required Uses and Disclosures Will Be Made Only With Your Consent, Authorization or Opportunity to Object unless required by law.

You may revoke this authorization, at any time, in writing, except to the extent that your physician or the physician’s practice has taken an action in reliance on the use or disclosure indicated in the authorization.

Your Rights
The Following is a statement of your rights with respect to your protected health information.

You have the right to inspect and copy your protected health information. Under federal law, however, you may not inspect or copy the following records; psychotherapy notes; information compiled in reasonable anticipation of, or use in, a civil, criminal, or administrative action or proceeding, and protected health information that is subject to law that prohibits access to protected health information.

You have the right to request a restriction of your health information. This means you may ask us not to use or disclose any part of your protected health information for the purposes of treatment, payment or healthcare operations. You may also request that any part of your protected health information not be disclosed to family members or friends who may be involved in you care or for notification purposes described in this Notice of Privacy Practices. Your request must state the specific restriction and to whom you want the restriction to apply.

Your physician is not required to agree to a restriction you may request. If your physician believes it is in your best interest to permit use and disclosure of your protected health information, your protected health information will not be restricted. You then have the right to use another Healthcare Professional.

You have the right to request to receive confidential communications from us by alternative means or at an alternative location. You have the right to obtain a paper copy of this Notice from us, upon request, even if you have agreed to accept this Notice alternatively (i.e. electronically).

You may have the right to have your physician amend your protected health information. If we deny your request for amendment, you have the right to file a statement of disagreement with us and we may prepare a rebuttal to your statement and will provide you with a copy of any such rebuttal.

You have the right to receive an accounting of certain disclosures we have made, if any, of your protected health information.
We reserve the right to change the terms of this Notice and will inform you of any changes. You then have the right to object or withdraw as provided in this Notice.

 SMS/Text Messaging Terms & Conditions

By opting in to receive text messages from Breakthrough Behavioral Health, you agree to the following:

1. Consent to Receive Messages

• By providing your mobile number and opting in, you consent to receive recurring text messages (SMS/MMS) from Breakthrough Behavioral Health at the phone number you provided.

• Message frequency may vary based on your interactions with us.

2. Nature of Messages

• Messages may include, appointment reminders, order alerts, account notifications etc.

• Message and data rates may apply, depending on your mobile carrier and plan.

3. Opt-Out Instructions

• You can opt out of receiving text messages at any time by replying STOP to any message you receive.

• After you send STOP, you may receive one additional message confirming that your request has been processed.

4. Help Instructions

• For assistance, reply HELP to any message or contact us at admin@breakthroughbehavioralhealth.com or (508) 213-1326.

5. Data Use & Privacy

• We will use your phone number only in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

• Your information will not be sold or shared with third parties for their own marketing purposes.

• For details on how we collect, use, and protect your personal information, please review the rest of our Privacy Policy.

6. Carrier Disclaimer

• Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

7. Eligibility

• By opting in, you represent that you are the account holder or have the account holder’s permission to enroll the mobile number provided.

Complaints
You may complain to us or to the Secretary of Health and Human Services if you believe your privacy rights have been violated by us. You may file a complaint with us by notifying our privacy officer of your complaint at our office and main telephone number. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Massachusetts Residents

In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L. c. 93H & 93I) and 201 CMR 17.00:

• Written Information Security Program (WISP): We maintain a comprehensive WISP to safeguard personal information (including Social Security numbers, financial account information, and other data beyond medical records).

• Data Breach Notification: If your personal information is compromised, we will provide written notice as soon as practicable and without unreasonable delay, consistent with Massachusetts law.

• Third-Party Vendors: We require any third-party service providers with access to your personal information to maintain appropriate safeguards under Massachusetts law.

Rhode Island Residents

In accordance with the Rhode Island Identity Theft Protection Act of 2015 and state health privacy laws:

• Safeguarding Personal Information: We implement security measures to protect your personal information, including electronic and paper records.

• Data Breach Notification: If your personal information is involved in a security breach, you will receive written notice without unreasonable delay, but no later than 45 days after discovery, as required by Rhode Island law.

• Access to Records: Rhode Island law provides you the right to obtain copies of your medical records within a reasonable time frame. Fees for copies will comply with state regulations.

Questions or Concerns

·        If you are a resident of Massachusetts or Rhode Island and have questions about your rights under state law, please contact our Office at:

Breakthrough Behavioral Health PLLC

45 School St.

Ste 2, Unit 5

Taunton, MA 02780

(508) 213-1326

 admin@breakthroughbehavioralhealth.com