Privacy policy.

Privacy Policy of Tracy Nielsen Counseling, PLLC

HIPAA and Privacy Information

This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you may get access to this information. PLEASE REVIEW CAREFULLY.

Your Rights

When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. This section explains your rights and some of our responsibilities to help you.

Request a paper copy of your medical record:

You may ask to see or get a paper copy of your medical records and other health information we have on file. We will require an official records request form and a copy of your ID. After a review to determine the legal right to release the records, we will be able to provide a copy or a summary of your health information, usually within 30 days of your request. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.

Ask us to correct your medical record:

You may ask us to correct health information about you that you think is incorrect or incomplete. Feel free to ask us how to do this. We may say “no” to your request, but we will tell you why in writing within 60 days.

Request confidential communications:

You may ask us to contact you in a specific way (e.g. office phone only) or to send mail to a different address. We will say “yes” to all reasonable requests.

Ask us to limit what we use or share:

You may ask us not to use or share certain health information for treatment, payment, or our operations. We are not required to agree to your request, and we may say “no” if it would affect your care. If you pay for a service or healthcare item out-of-pocket in full, you may ask us not to share that information for the purpose of payment or our operations with your health insurer. We will say “yes” unless a law requires us to share that information.

Get a list of those with whom we’ve shared information:

You may ask for a list (accounting) of the times we’ve shared your health information for 6 years prior to the date you ask, who we shared it with, and why. We will include all the disclosures except for those about treatment, payment, and healthcare operations, and certain other disclosures (such as any you asked us to make). We’ll provide one accounting a year for free but will charge a reasonable, cost-based fee if you ask for another within 12 months.

Choose someone to act for you:

If you have given someone medical power of attorney or if someone is your legal guardian, that person may exercise your rights and make choices about your health information. We will make sure that person has the authority and may act for you before we take any action.

Filing a complaint if you feel your rights are violated:

You may file a complaint if you feel we have violated your rights by contacting us using the information on this page. You may file a complaint with the US Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by sending a letter to:

200 Independence Ave SW Washington D.C. 20201

You may also call 1-877-696-6775 or visit https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint

We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Your Choice

For certain health information, you may tell us your choices about what we share. If you have a clear preference for how we share your information in the situations described below, please discuss this with us. You may tell us what you want us to do, and we will follow your instructions. You may instruct us on how you would like us to share information with your family, close friends, or others involved in your care. We will require written consent to do so.

Our Uses and Disclosures

We may use your information without your consent for the following purposes:

Coordination of Care

We may use your health information and share it with other professionals who are treating you.

Operation of Our Organization

We may use and share your health information within our practice for administration and improvement of care, and members of our organization may contact you when necessary.

Billing for Services

We may use and share your health information for billing and receiving payment from health plans or other entities you identify as payors on your behalf.

Research

We may use or share your health information for health-related research.

Compliance with the Law

We will share information about you if state or federal laws require it, including with the Department of Health and Human Services if we are required to provide information showing we are complying with federal privacy laws.

Assistance with Health and Safety Concerns for You and Others

  • For situations such as preventing disease, assisting with product recalls;

  • Reporting adverse reactions to medications;

  • Reporting suspecting abuse, neglect, or domestic violence, or preventing or reducing a serious threat to anyone’s health or safety;

  • If we believe it is in your best interest to lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety of yourself or others.

All Tracy Nielsen Counseling staff and providers adhere to all laws and regulations defining your rights and choices regarding your protected information. If you have any questions or concerns about your protected information and how it is being used, please contact us using the following information:

Tracy Nielsen Counseling, PLLC

23403 E. Mission Avenue – Suite 100A

Liberty Lake, WA 99019

(509) 720-7270

To learn more about the laws and regulations governing your rights and choices regarding the use of your health information visit the website for

US Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights at: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa