Legal Terms
User Agreement On Avamere Family of Companies
As a user of the Avamere Family of Companies Web Site(s), I represent to Avamere Family of Companies that my access is on my own behalf or on behalf of my employer or my own business enterprise and that I am authorized and empowered to make promises, representations and agreements on my own behalf or on behalf of my employer or business enterprise. I understand this agreement contains important legal and financial responsibilities that may affect me, my employer or my business.
As an inducement for Avamere Family of Companies to provide me with access to or permitting me to use Avamere Family of Companies Web Sites, I agree to the following terms and conditions. I understand that the Internet, electronic commerce and technology is changing rapidly and Avamere Family of Companies may address these changes by changing these terms and conditions from time to time at Avamere Family of Companies’ sole discretion. Accordingly I promise to review regularly these terms and conditions to be informed of and agree to any changes made by Avamere Family of Companies. If at any time I do not agree to any term or condition of this or any revised Avamere Family of Companies web access or use agreement, I promise not to access or otherwise use any Avamere Family of Companies Web Sites. I understand that these terms and conditions apply to all Avamere Family of Companies Web Sites, including any Web Sites owned, operated or sponsored by any Avamere Family of Companies subsidiaries or affiliates. I agree that the word “Content”, as used in this Agreement refers to any materials, documents, images, trademarks, copyrighted materials, graphics, logos, design, audio, video and any other information provided from or on Avamere Family of Companies Web Sites.
Purpose
Avamere Family of Companies maintains its Web Site Content for general marketing, promotional, public relations and general public information purposes. Avamere Family of Companies does not transact business or engage in transactions by way of Avamere Family of Companies Web Site Content. Regardless of the existence of any order forms, interactive features, request forms, invitation for comment or suggestions contained in any Avamere Family of Companies Web Site, no contract or binding obligation of Avamere Family of Companies of any kind may be implied, assumed or made until an authorized and empowered representative of Avamere Family of Companies reviews and accepts, in writing, any proposal, offer, order or other information submitted by the user via any Avamere Family of Companies Web Site. You agree that Avamere Family of Companies becomes legally bound to and responsible for only those promises, obligations and commitments contained in written contracts and instruments signed by such authorized and empowered representative of Avamere Family of Companies. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Avamere Family of Companies Web Site, Avamere Family of Companies reserves the right to and may reject any information, offers, orders, suggestions, comments or other information submitted to Avamere Family of Companies via any Avamere Family of Companies Web Site.
No Permissions
Avamere Family of Companies provides its Web Site Content for informational purposes only for its customers, investors, vendors and employees and other constituencies. No license is granted by Avamere Family of Companies to anyone to use or exploit any Content. If you wish to use or exploit any Avamere Family of Companies Web Site Content, you agree to contact Avamere Family of Companies in writing and to use such Content only in accordance with a written agreement with Avamere Family of Companies. If you use or exploit any Avamere Family of Companies Content without the agreement of Avamere Family of Companies, you agree to be responsible for all claims, costs, losses, expenses, damages and liabilities incurred by Avamere Family of Companies as a result of your actions or omissions.
Disclaimer
Avamere Family of Companies has no obligation to be sure that the Content of its Web Site is accurate or complete, up-to-date or current, free from technical inaccuracies or typographical errors, free from changes caused by any third party or that access to the Avamere Family of Companies Web Site will be free from interruptions, errors, computer viruses or other harmful components. You understand that Avamere Family of Companies may (but has no obligation in the absence of governmental regulatory requirements) to change, withdraw, improve or otherwise modify its Web Site Content at any time without any notice to you.
No Warranties
Web Site Content is provided by Avamere Family of Companies “AS-IS” and without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. TO THE EXTENT ANY ACCESS OR USE OF THE Avamere Family of Companies WEB SITES CONSTITUTES A SALE OR EXCHANGE OF GOODS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. You agree that under no circumstances, including, but not limited to, negligence, shall Avamere Family of Companies be liable for any direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages. This includes but is not limited to loss of data or profit arising out of the use or the inability to use the Content of a Avamere Family of Companies Web Site, even if a Avamere Family of Companies representative has been advised of the possibility of your damages.
No Confidentiality and License
If you wish to provide your information to Avamere Family of Companies and you wish to retain an interest or ownership in it, you must contact Avamere Family of Companies in writing and propose to Avamere Family of Companies a commercial transaction pursuant to which you and Avamere Family of Companies agree in a written and signed agreement to an exchange of information. If you transmit to or post on the Avamere Family of Companies Web Site without any prior written Agreement with Avamere Family of Companies providing for such activity, any material, data, information or idea, it will be treated as non-confidential and non-proprietary and may be disseminated or used by Avamere Family of Companies for any purpose. By sending Avamere Family of Companies any information or material, you grant Avamere Family of Companies an unrestricted, irrevocable license to use, reproduce, display, perform, modify, transmit and distribute those materials and information. You also agree that Avamere Family of Companies is free to use any ideas, concepts, know-how or techniques that you send to Avamere Family of Companies for any purpose without any obligation to you.
No Unlawful or Unacceptable Content Posting
You are not authorized to post on or transmit to any Avamere Family of Companies Web Site any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, scandalous, inflammatory, pornographic, or profane material, or any other content that could give rise to any civil or criminal liability under the law. If you do so, you agree to assume all claims, costs, losses, expenses, damages and liabilities caused by such activity and indemnify and hold Avamere Family of Companies harmless from any liability or loss.
Hyperlinks
Avamere Family of Companies may provide hyperlinks to other internet web sites maintained by third parties or may provide third party content on Avamere Family of Companies Web Site. The content in any such linked sites is not under Avamere Family of Companies control and Avamere Family of Companies is not responsible for the content of those sites, including any further links in another site. If you decide to access any of the third party sites linked to a Avamere Family of Companies Web Site, you do so entirely at your own risk. It is up to you to take precautions to ensure that the third party you link to for your use is free of computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses and other items of a destructive nature. By providing a link, Avamere Family of Companies does not necessarily endorse a third party or its web site. Avamere Family of Companies reserves the right to terminate a link to a third party web site at any time in its sole discretion.
Linked Internet Sites
If you wish to provide a link to a Avamere Family of Companies Web Site, you may do so under the terms and conditions of this or any future Avamere
Family of Companies web access and use agreement, but: you may not use or replicate Avamere Family of Companies Content; you agree not to create a browser, border environment or frame for Avamere Family of Companies Content; you may not imply that Avamere Family of Companies is endorsing you or your products or services; you may not misrepresent your relationship with Avamere Family of Companies; you may not present false information about Avamere Family of Companies products or services; and your linked web site shall not contain content that could be construed as distasteful, offensive or controversial, and or contain content that is not appropriate for all age, racial, religious or other groups protected by law. If you violate these promises, you agree to be responsible for all claims, costs, losses, expenses, damages and liabilities associated with such acts or omissions and indemnify and hold Avamere Family of Companies harmless and you agree to remove any link to Avamere Family of Companies. immediately upon the request of Avamere Family of Companies.
No Representations, Legal Compliance
Avamere Family of Companies makes no representation that content or materials in a Avamere Family of Companies Web Site are appropriate or available for use outside the U.S.A. You agree to refrain from access to Content on a Avamere Family of Companies Web Site from jurisdictions where such access is illegal or prohibited. If you choose to access this site from other jurisdictions, you do so on your own initiative and are responsible for compliance with applicable local laws and regulations. We are not responsible for any law violations of law or regulation by your access or use of any Content on a Avamere Family of Companies Web Site. You must become familiar with U.S. laws and regulations on export of technical information and you agree you will not use or export Content in a Avamere Family of Companies Web Site in violation of U.S. export laws and regulations. Any claims relating to Avamere Family of Companies Web Site and its Content and materials shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio, U.S.A., without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of laws. You agree that any legal action or proceeding between us for any purpose concerning this Agreement or the parties - obligations shall be brought exclusively in a federal or state court in the State of Ohio.
Copyrights
Avamere Family of Companies claims the copyright interest in the compilation in all the Avamere Family of Companies Web Site Content, including without limitation, the incorporated Avamere Family of Companies Web Sites. The laws of the United States of America and all other signatories to the Berne Convention protect the copyright owner from infringement and you represent that you have read, understand and agree to The U.S. Copyright Act and such other applicable laws and regulations of other countries and you will not violate them in your access and use of any Avamere Family of Companies Web Site and that you will indemnify and hold Avamere Family of Companies harmless. Copyright - Avamere Family of Companies Inc. 2005
Privacy Policy
Your privacy on the Internet is important to Avamere Family of Companies. As part of the operation of Avamere Family of Companies., certain pieces of information are gathered about Avamere Family of Companies. Members. Below are explanations regarding the types of information collected, what is done with it, and how to correct or change the information. What Information is Collected As part of the Avamere Family of Companies. Member registration process, the prospective member is asked to provide an email address and interest category selections? The prospective member, at their option, may voluntarily provide additional information, including personal, geographic and demographic information. In addition to the information provided by members, Avamere Family of Companies may also collect information about Avamere Family of Companies. Members from third party sources. Furthermore, Avamere Family of Companies monitors incoming and outgoing Web site traffic data to help diagnose problems with its servers and to administer its Web site. Avamere Family of Companies also uses this data to assemble broad demographic information about its members in general. The purpose of this data collection is to ensure that Avamere Family of Companies. Members receive only the most relevant, targeted offers and information from Avamere Family of Companies.. Avamere Family of Companies uses “contact us” forms as a way for clients, potential clients and members to communicate with Avamere Family of Companies.. Avamere Family of Companies. collects the information supplied by the sender of the “contact us” form in order to establish and maintain relationships with clients, potential clients and members. Avamere Family of Companies. also uses email links located on various pages of the Avamere Family of Companies Web site to allow you to contact Avamere Family of Companies. with questions or comments you may have. Avamere Family of Companies. welcomes these email communications and makes efforts to respond to these communications where appropriate. Email communications and the ideas sent to Avamere Family of Companies. in these email communications become the property of Avamere Family of Companies.. Avamere Family of Companies uses the email communications to evaluate and improve its services and Web site. Avamere Family of Companies. also may save these email communications for future reference or use.
In an attempt to customize the Avamere Family of Companies. service and provide members with the information they may be most interested in, Avamere Family of Companies also conducts internal research on our user’s demographics, interests, and behavior based upon information members provide directly to Avamere Family of Companies and information that Avamere Family of Companies may collect from third party sources and/or through the use of cookies (see below). Avamere Family of Companies may combine or otherwise overlay some or all of the foregoing information to build profiles about Avamere Family of Companies. Members, which may be individual specific or in aggregate form. By becoming a Avamere Family of Companies. Member, you consent to Avamere Family of Companies employing the foregoing techniques in its continuing efforts to better serve its members by providing them with the information in which they may be most interested. Avamere Family of Companies does not use information about its members for any purposes unrelated to the services offered by Avamere Family of Companies.. As discussed above, Avamere Family of Companies. may, from time to time, obtain information about its members from third party sources. In addition, Avamere Family of Companies may, from time to time, assist third parties in developing, implementing and monitoring advertising campaigns using data owned or supplied by the third party. Please be aware that this Privacy Policy does not cover the conduct or practices of these third party sources. However, Avamere Family of Companies will treat information that it receives from third party sources according to the terms of this Privacy Policy.
The Use of Cookies
As an important and necessary part of providing customizable and personalized services to its members, Avamere Family of Companies uses cookies to store and sometimes track information about members. A cookie is a small amount of data that is sent to a member’s browser from a Web server and stored on a member’s computer hard drive. Areas of Avamere Family of Companies’ Web site where members are prompted to login or that are customizable require acceptance of cookies. Cookies are also used to help Avamere Family of Companies track the response to messages sent to members on behalf of marketers so that Avamere Family of Companies can monitor and report campaign results to the marketer and track response history. With respect to cookies, you have a choice. By modifying your browser preferences, you have the choice to accept all cookies, to be notified when a cookie is set, or to reject all cookies. If you choose to reject all cookies, you will be unable to use those Avamere Family of Companies services that require the use of cookies in order to participate.
Children’s Online Privacy Protection
The safety of children is important to us. Avamere Family of Companies’ Web site is a general audience site and is not directed to children under the age of 13. Similarly, Avamere Family of Companies’ services are not directed to nor intended for anyone under the age of 13. Avamere Family of Companies. will not knowingly accept members who are under the age
of 13 years nor will it knowingly collect or maintain personally identifiable information from or about anyone under the age of 13 years. Accordingly, when registering to become a Avamere Family of Companies Member, the new member must certify that they are not under the age of 13. Avamere Family of Companies relies on the truthfulness of this certification when accepting new members. In the event that Avamere Family of Companies receives information that establishes that a member is under the age of 13 years, Avamere Family of Companies reserves the right, which it will exercise, to terminate that member’s membership. Avamere Family of Companies will also delete all information in its databases about that terminated member. If you believe Avamere Family of Companies has any information from or about anyone under 13, please contact us at the address listed below. Email: privacy@Avamere Family of Companies.
Confidentiality
Avamere Family of Companies will not provide personally identifiable information of a Avamere Family of Companies. Member to third parties except as noted under Limits of Confidentiality, personally identifiable information means the member’s name, residence address, email address, social security number or other information from which the member’s identity may be reasonably ascertained. Avamere Family of Companies uses proprietary technologies to preserve the anonymity of members while matching the member’s interests with targeted information sent via email.
Avamere Family of Companies will under no circumstance knowingly reveal any member’s identity to marketers. It is solely at a Avamere Family of Companies. Member’s discretion if he or she chooses to provide personally identifiable information to a marketer by making a purchase, requesting additional information, or communicating directly with the company or organization after visiting its Web site or otherwise.
Limits of Confidentiality
As part of its day-to-day business activities, Avamere Family of Companies must disclose certain aggregate level information about Avamere Family of Companies. Members to certain third parties; principally, (1) Avamere Family of Companies’ Network Partners, and (2) Marketers who use Avamere Family of Companies’ network. Below is the information and circumstances under which Avamere Family of Companies may be required to disclose information to third parties.
(1) Network Partners: When a Avamere Family of Companies. Member registers through the Web site of a Network Partner, Avamere Family of Companies is obligated to disclose to that particular Network Partner the information submitted by the Avamere Family of Companies. Member during the registration process. In addition to the foregoing information, Avamere Family of Companies may also disclose aggregate level information to the Network Partner about Avamere Family of Companies. Members who registered through that particular Network Partner’s site. Such aggregate information may include, for example, the number of individuals who registered through the Network Partner’s site; the turnover rate of Avamere Family of Companies. Members who have registered through the Network Partner’s site; with respect to any particular campaign, the response rates of the Avamere Family of Companies. Members who registered through the Network Partner’;s site; and statistics on the interest categories selected by the Avamere Family of Companies. Members who have registered through the Network Partner’s site. Subject to the exceptions discussed below, Avamere Family of Companies will not knowingly disclose any personally identifiable information about a Avamere Family of Companies. Member to a Network Partner unless such personally identifiable information was provided during the registration process through the Network Partner’s Web site.
(2) Marketers: Avamere Family of Companies will disclose aggregate level information about Avamere Family of Companies. Members to marketers as reasonably necessary to explain the services that Avamere Family of Companies can offer, to report on the advertising campaigns that Avamere Family of Companies undertakes for any particular marketer, and/or to implement and explain campaign strategies. Subject to the exceptions discussed below, Avamere Family of Companies will not knowingly disclose any personally identifiable information about a Avamere Family of Companies. Member to a marketer. Due to the existing legal, regulatory and security environment, Avamere Family of Companies may be required, under certain circumstances, to disclose aggregate level and/or personally identifiable information about its members. Avamere Family of Companies will use its best efforts to limit such disclosure to the following: where Avamere Family of Companies believes in good faith that it is required to do so in response to a subpoena or other legal process; where reasonably required to do so in order to maintain, update or otherwise implement Avamere Family of Companies’ data security measures, equipment, technical operations and the like; or where reasonably necessary to identify, contact or bring legal action against persons or entities to preserve and/or enforce Avamere Family of Companies’s rights.
Use of Information
Avamere Family of Companies uses member information to deliver the Avamere Family of Companies. services. Thus, member information is used by Avamere Family of Companies in identifying information that may be of interest to its members. A member’s email address will be used by Avamere Family of Companies to contact that member about member-selected interests. Avamere Family of Companies also uses member information to monitor, interpret, analyze and report campaign results. Avamere Family of Companies does not use member information for purposes unrelated to the services offered by Avamere Family of Companies.
Protection of Member Information
Avamere Family of Companies undertakes substantial efforts to protect the confidentiality of the identity, preferences and other information it has collected about individual members and will never knowingly allow access to this information to anyone outside Avamere Family of Companies other than to the member or as described above under the heading Limits of Confidentiality.
Avamere Family of Companies has made a substantial investment in its server, database, backup and firewall technologies to protect the information assets of the Avamere Family of Companies Network, including the confidentiality of information collected about Avamere Family of Companies. Members. These technologies are deployed as part of a sophisticated security architecture and protocol. You should also do your part in protecting your information. Your Avamere Family of Companies user name and password are confidential and we recommend that you not divulge them to anyone. Unfortunately, neither Avamere Family of Companies network nor data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. As a result, while we strive to protect member information, Avamere Family of Companies cannot ensure or warrant the security of member information. Thus, any information a member transmits to us is done so at the member’s own risk. Once we receive member information, Avamere Family of Companies undertakes substantial efforts to protect the confidentiality of this information consistent with this Policy.
Policy Changes
The foregoing policy is effective as of June 2005. Avamere Family of Companies reserves the right to change this policy at any time. Please check this page periodically for changes. Your continued use of Avamere Family of Companies’s services following the posting of changes to these terms will mean you accept those changes. Avamere Family of Companies will take reasonable measures to notify you if there is a material change in our privacy practices with respect to use of the information you have provided to Avamere Family of Companies.. Avamere Family of Companies will conspicuously post these changes in our Privacy Policy. Avamere Family of Companies also will post a message on the home page of its Web site that states that the Privacy Policy has been changed, and will provide a link to the Privacy Policy. These postings will occur on Avamere Family of Companies’s Web site at least 30 days prior to any material change. For more information, see our Terms and Conditions of service. If you have any questions about this privacy statement, Avamere Family of Companies practices, or feel that your privacy has been compromised, please contact us at info@Avamere Family of Companies.
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NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICE INFORMATION
Effective date: November 1, 2025
This notice describes how medical information about you can be used and disclosed, and how you can gain access to this information. Please review it carefully.
WHO WILL FOLLOW THIS NOTICE
THE AVAMERE AFFILIATED COVERED ENTITY
This Notice describes the privacy practices of the Avamere Family of Companies Affiliated Covered Entity, including skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, home health, hospice, home care, in and out-patient therapy, nurse practitioner programs and other health care providers and business associates that the organizations operate, as well as any health care facility or provider organization now or in the future sharing common ownership. These independent organizations are part of the Avamere Affiliated Covered Entity (“Avamere ACE.”)
Each of the Avamere affiliates is a separate covered entity under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and the regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, “HIPAA”). A list of affiliated companies is available from this company.
Pursuant to 45 C.F.R. § 164.105(b), each of the Avamere affiliates hereby designates itself as a single covered entity for purposes of compliance with HIPAA and solely for purposes of compliance with the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rule. Each of the Avamere ACEs is an independent company and having accepted designation as an Avamere ACE does nothing to diminish that independent entity status. This affiliation does not apply to any other legal aspect of business operations or patient care.
The Avamere ACE is required under HIPAA to protect the privacy of your PHI, provide you with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to PHI and abide by the terms of the Notice currently in effect for the Avamere ACE. This Notice describes how the Avamere ACE may use and disclose your protected health information (“PHI”) and your rights to access and amend your PHI. This Notice does not cover the information practices of attending physicians or other providers not part of the Avamere ACE.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE OF THIS NOTICE
This notice describes our information privacy practices and that of:
- Any Avamere ACE health care professional authorized to enter information into your medical record created and/or maintained at our affiliated health care companies;
- Specific volunteers which we allow to help you while receiving services at our affiliated health care companies;
- All health care company workforce members including, but not limited to, employees, contractors, staff, health care students, interns, and other personnel; and
- Other entities under contract to assist in providing healthcare in a clinically integrated manner.
The above individuals and affiliated entities may share your protected health information with each other for purposes of treatment, payment, health care operations, or business associate operations, as further described in this notice.
AVAMERE ACE’S POLICY REGARDNG YOUR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION
Certain state and federal laws and regulations require us to implement policies and procedures to safeguard the privacy of your protected health information. This notice will provide you with information regarding our privacy practices and applies to all of your protected health information created and/or maintained at our affiliated health care companies, including any information that we receive from other health care providers or facilities. The notice describes the ways in which we may use or disclose your protected health information and describes your rights and our obligations regarding any such uses or disclosures. We reserve the right to change the terms of this notice of privacy practices and to make new notice provisions effective for all protected health information we maintain. In the event of revision, new copies will be posted in the health care companies, on our website and available upon request.
HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
The following are the types of uses and disclosures we may make of your health information without your permission. Where state or federal law restricts one of the described uses or disclosures, we follow the requirements of such state or federal law. These are general descriptions only. They do not cover every example of disclosure within a category.
Treatment
We may use and disclose your protected health information to healthcare professionals or other third parties to provide, coordinate and manage the delivery of your health care. For example, we may disclose PHI about you to your health care provider or to other health care personnel to coordinate your transfer to another level of care within or outside of our affiliates. Our Affiliates may also access and view your health information in our electronic medical record systems. We will also disclose your health information to your physician and other practitioners, providers and health care facilities that provide care for you at their sites, rather than at our sites, for their use in treating you in the future. For example, if you are transferred from one of our nursing facilities to home health at discharge, we will send health information about you to the home health agency.
Payment
We will use and disclose your health information for payment purposes. For example, we will use your health information to prepare your bill and we will send health information to your insurance company with your bill. We may also disclose health information about you to other health care providers, health plans and health care clearinghouses for their payment purposes. For example, if you are brought in by medical transport, the information collected may be given to the medical transport provider for its billing purposes. If state law requires, we will obtain your permission prior to disclosing to other providers or health insurance companies for payment purposes.
Health Care Operations
We may use or disclose your health information for our health care operations. For example, members of our workforce may review your health information to evaluate the treatment and services provided, and the performance of our staff in caring for you. In some cases, we will furnish other qualified parties with your health information for their health care operations. The medical transport company, for example, may also want information on your condition to help them know whether they have done an effective job of providing care. If state law requires, we will obtain your permission prior to disclosing your health information to other providers or health insurance companies for their health care operations.
Appointment Reminders
We may contact you as a reminder that you have an appointment for treatment or medical services.
Treatment Alternatives
We may contact you to provide information about treatment alternatives or other health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you.
Facility Directory
While you are an inpatient at any Avamere ACE facility, your name, location in the facility, and religious affiliation may be included in a facility directory or its equivalent in our electronic medical record. This information may be provided to members of the clergy and, except for religious affiliation, to other people who ask for you by name. You have the right to request that your name not be included in the directory. We will not include your information in the facility directory if you object or if we are prohibited by state or federal law.
Family, Friends or Others
We may disclose your location or general condition to a family member, your personal representative or another person identified by you. If any of these individuals are involved in your care or payment for care, we may also disclose such health information as is directly relevant to their involvement. We will only release this information if you agree, are given the opportunity to object and do not, or if in our professional judgment, it would be in your best interest to allow the person to receive the information or act on your behalf. In addition, if you are unavailable, incapacitated or in an emergency situation, we may disclose limited information to these persons if we determine in our professional judgment that we believe it is in your best interest. We may also disclose your information to an entity assisting in disaster relief efforts so that your family or individual responsible for your care may be notified of your location and condition.
Business Associates
Some of the activities described above are performed through contracts with outside vendors called business associates. We will disclose your health information to our business associates and allow them to create, use and disclose your health information to perform their services for us. For example, we may disclose your health information to an outside billing company who assists us in billing insurance companies. We require business associates to appropriately safeguard the privacy of your information. Examples of business associates include medical records storage companies, computer software companies and accreditation agencies.
USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRING YOUR AUTHORIZATION
Uses and Disclosures Not Described Above
We may use or disclose your protected health information pursuant to your written authorization for purposes other than treatment, payment or health care operations. You have the right to revoke a written authorization at any time as long as your revocation is provided to us in writing. If you revoke your written authorization, we will no longer use or disclose your protected health information for the purposes identified in the authorization. Your revocation will not be effective for uses and disclosures made in reliance on your prior authorization.
Restrictions on disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI) to a Health Plan
We will abide by your written request to restrict disclosure of protected health information for services for which you will pay out-of-pocket in full. If you would like to request this restriction, please provide a written request and make advance arrangements with the health care companies to self-pay for the services provided.
Psychotherapy Notes
These are notes made by a mental health professional documenting conversations during private counseling sessions or in joint or group therapy. Many uses or disclosures of psychotherapy notes require your authorization.
Marketing
We will not use or disclose your protected health information for marketing purposes without your authorization. Moreover, if we will receive any financial remuneration from a third party in connection with marketing, we will tell you that in the authorization form.
Sale
We will not sell your protected health information to third parties without your authorization. Any such authorization will state that we will receive remuneration in the transaction.
USES OR DISCLOSURES PERMITTED OR REQUIRED BY LAW
Certain state and federal laws and regulations either require or permit us to make certain uses or disclosures of your protected health information without your permission. These uses or disclosures are generally made to meet public health reporting obligations or to ensure the health and safety of the public at large. The uses or disclosures which we may make pursuant to these laws and regulations include the following:
Public Health Activities
We may use or disclose your protected health information to public health authorities that are authorized by law to receive and collect protected health information for the purpose of preventing or controlling disease, injury or disability.
Abuse, Neglect or Domestic Violence
We may notify the appropriate government authority if we believe an individual has been the victim of abuse, physical or financial, neglect, elder abuse, a crime, or domestic violence. Unless such disclosure is required by law (for example, to report a particular type of injury), we will only make this disclosure if you agree or in other limited circumstances when such disclosure is authorized by law.
Health Oversight Activities
We may disclose health information to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law. These oversight activities include, for example, audits, investigations, inspections and licensure. These activities are necessary for the government to monitor the health care system, government programs and compliance with civil rights laws.
Legal Proceedings
If you are involved in a lawsuit or a dispute, we may disclose health information about you in response to a court or administrative order. We may also disclose health information about you in response to a subpoena, discovery request or other lawful process by someone else involved in the dispute, but only if reasonable efforts have been made to notify you of the request or to obtain an order from the court protecting the information requested.
Worker’s compensation
We may use or disclose your protected health information to worker’s compensation programs when your health condition arises out of a work-related illness or injury.
Law Enforcement
- We may release certain health information to law enforcement authorities for law enforcement purposes, such as:
- as required by law, including reporting certain wounds and physical injuries,
- in response to a court order, subpoena, warrant, summons or similar process,
- to identify or locate a suspect, fugitive, material witness or missing person
- about the victim of a crime if we obtain the individual’s agreement or, under certain limited circumstances, if we are unable to obtain the individual’s agreement,
- to alert authorities of a death we believe may be the result of criminal conduct,
- information we believe is evidence of criminal conduct occurring on our premises, or
- in emergency circumstances to report the suspicion of a crime against one of our patients including the location of the crime or the victim’s identity, or a description or location of the person who committed the crime.
We must comply with federal and state laws in making such disclosures for law enforcement purposes.
Deceased Individuals
Following your death, we may disclose health information to a coroner or to a medical examiner as necessary for them to carry out their duties and to funeral directors as authorized by law. In addition, following your death, we may disclose health information to a personal representative (for example, the executor of your estate), and unless you have expressed a contrary preference, we may also release your health information to a family member or other person who acted as a personal representative or was involved in your care or payment for care before your death, if the health information is relevant to such person’s involvement in your care or payment for care. We are required to apply safeguards to protect your health information for 50 years following your death.
Coroners, Medical Examiners, or Funeral Directors
We may use or disclose your protected health information to a coroner or medical examiner for the purpose of identifying a deceased individual or to determine the cause of death. We also may use or disclose your protected health information to a funeral director for the purpose of carrying out his/her necessary activities.
Organ, Eye or Tissue Donation
We may release health information to organ, eye or tissue procurement, transplantation or banking organizations or entities as necessary to facilitate organ, eye or tissue donation and transplantation.
Research
We may use or disclose your protected health information for research purposes under certain limited circumstances. For example, you may have chosen to participate in a research study with a non-affiliated covered entity.
Threats to Health or Safety
Under certain circumstances, we may use or disclose your health information to prevent a serious and imminent threat to health and safety if we, in good faith, believe the use or disclosure is necessary to prevent or lessen the threat and the disclosure is to a person reasonably able to prevent or lessen the threat (including the target) or is necessary for law enforcement authorities to identify or apprehend an individual involved in a crime.
Specialized Government Functions
We may use and disclose your health information for national security and intelligence activities authorized by law or for protective services of the President. If you are a military member, we may disclose to military authorities under certain circumstances. If you are an inmate of a correctional institution or under the custody of a law enforcement official, we may disclose to the institution, its agents or a law enforcement official, health information necessary for your health and the health and safety of other individuals.
Incidental Uses and Disclosures
There are certain incidental uses or disclosures of your information that occur while we are providing service to you or conducting our business. For example, the clinician may need to use your name to identify family members that may be in a waiting area. Other individuals waiting in the same area may hear your name called. We will make reasonable efforts to limit these incidental uses and disclosures.
YOUR RIGHTS
Access to Health Information
As a resident/patient/client, or their legal representative if the primary is incapacitated, you may inspect and receive a copy of much of the health information we maintain about you, with some exceptions. You may ask for an electronic copy of that portion of your records that is created and maintained electronically. We will provide the information to you in the form and format you requested, assuming it is readily producible. If we cannot readily produce the record in the form and format you request, we will produce it another readable electronic form to which we agree. Please note the portion of your records created and maintained on paper may be provided in that format at the discretion of the entity. We may charge a cost-based fee for producing copies. If you direct us to forward your health information to another person, we will do so, provided your signed, written direction clearly designates the recipient and location for delivery. We may charge a fee for the costs of copying, mailing, and other supplies or work associated with your request. We will respond to your requests to exercise any of the above rights on a timely basis in accordance with our policies and as required by law.
Request for Restrictions
You have the right to request a restriction or limitation on the health information we use or disclose about you for treatment, payment or health care operations or to persons involved in your care or payment for your care. We are not required to agree to your request, with one exception explained in the next paragraph, but we will let you know whether we have agreed to your request.
We are required to agree to your request that we not disclose certain health information to your health plan for payment or health care operations purposes if (1) you pay out-of-pocket in full for all expenses related to that service either at the time of service or within time-frames specified by our written policies and (2) the disclosure is not otherwise required by law. Such a restriction will only apply to records that relate solely to the service for which you have paid in full. If we later receive an authorization from you dated after the date of your requested restriction which authorizes us to disclose all of your records to your health plan, we will assume you have withdrawn your request for restriction.
Several different covered entities listed at the start of this Notice use this Notice, including the entities listed in Attachment A that are a single affiliated covered entity known as the Avamere Affiliated Covered Entity (or “Avamere ACE”). This Notice does not cover non Avamere ACE workforce members, such as your personal physician. You must make a separate request to each covered entity from whom you will receive services that are involved in your request for any type of restriction. Contact the Avamere ACE Privacy Officer at the contact information listed below if you have questions.
Amendment
You may request that we amend certain health information that we keep in your records if you believe that it is incorrect or incomplete. We may require you to give a reason to support your request. We are not required to make all requested amendments, but will give each request careful consideration. If we deny your request, we will provide you with a written explanation of the reasons and your rights. We may deny your request for an amendment if it is not in writing or does not include a reason to support the request. In addition, we may deny your request if you ask us to amend information that:
- was not created by any Avamere ACE entity,
- is not part of the protected health information kept by or for our health care companies,
- is not part of the information which you would be permitted to inspect and copy, or
- is accurate and complete.
Accounting of Disclosures
You have the right to receive a list of certain disclosures of your health information made by us or our business associates. You must state a time period for your request, which may not be longer than six years. Your right to an accounting of disclosures does not include disclosures for treatment, payment or health care operations and certain other types of disclosures, for example, as part of a facility directory or disclosure in accordance with your authorization. Requests must be in writing. You may contact the Privacy Officer to obtain a form to request an accounting of disclosures.
Confidential Communications
You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your health information in a different way or at a different place. We will agree to your request if it is reasonable and specifies the alternate means or location to contact you.
Notice in the Case of Breach
You have the right to receive notice of an access, acquisition, use or disclosure of your health information that is not permitted by HIPAA, if such access, acquisition, use or disclosure compromises the security or privacy of your PHI (we refer to this as a breach). We will provide such notice to you without unreasonable delay but in no case later than 60 days after we discover the breach.
How to Exercise These Rights
All requests to exercise these rights must be in writing. We will follow company policies to handle requests and notify you of our decision or actions and your rights.
Contact the Privacy Officer at 503-570-3405 located at Avamere Health Services, LLC, 25117 SW Parkway, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070 for more information or to obtain request forms. To request a copy of your legal health record, please contact the medical records department of the treating affiliated entity to request a release form.
Complaints or Concerns
If you have concerns about any of our privacy practices or believe that your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with the Avamere ACE Privacy Officer using the contact information at the end of this Notice. You may also submit a written complaint to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint.
Avamere ACE Privacy Officer
25117 SW Parkway, Suite B
Wilsonville, OR 97070
503.570.3405
Office of Civil Rights
Instructions located at:
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/index.html
REVISED 10/14
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