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.
- Uses and Disclosures of rotected Health Information
The Richmond City Department of Public Health (RCDPH) uses and discloses protected health information for the purpose of providing treatment for those diagnoses within the department's realm of health care delivery services. For example, the department uses protected health information for the purpose of pre-admission screening for Medicaid Waivers that provide placement in Nursing Homes, Adult Day Care, and Personal Care. The Department also uses and discloses Protected Health Information (PHI) for the purpose of billing Medicaid for payment of services rendered. The RCDPH is legally obligated to use and disclose the following types of protected health information without the individual's written consent or authorization:
A. Reporting specific diseases to the Centers for Disease Control and Virginia Department of Health; for example, Hepatitis, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, or other communicable diseases
B. Reporting suspected child abuse incidents
C. Complying with legal administrative proceedings and court orders
D. Providing protected health information to other covered entities for purposes of treatment, payment, and operations.
- Rights of the Individual
The RCDPH honors client's rights with regard to their PHI, such as:
A. Clients have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures as provided in CFR 164.522(a); however, the RCDPH is not required to agree to a requested restriction.
B. Clients have the right to receive confidential communications of protected health information as provided by 164.522(b), as applicable.
C. Clients have the right to inspect and copy protected health information as provided by 164.524 at a cost of .50 per page.
D. Clients have the right to amend protected health information as provided in 164.526.
E. Clients have the right to receive an accounting of disclosures of protected health information as provided in 164.528
F. Clients have the right to obtain a paper copy of the Notice of Privacy Practices as provided in 164.520.
- RCDPH Duty to Protect Individual Health Information
The RCDPH maintains the privacy of all protected health information of its clients, and is legally required to protect our client's privacy. A copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices is available via e-mail, upon request, and on the department's web page. You may also contact Brenda Carden, Privacy Officer, at (804) 646-3251 or at 900 East Marshall Street, 3rd Floor, Richmond, VA 23219.
This Department reserves the right to make corrections, and changes to its Notice of Privacy Practices when necessary. Revised editions of our Notice will be posted on the Department's web page, and at this Department's operational sites. Revised Notices will also be available via e-mail and upon request by contacting the Department's Privacy Officer.
- How to File a Complaint
Clients who believe that their protected health information has been wrongfully used and disclosed, or have other concerns relevant to the use and disclosure of protected health information may file a complaint without fear of retaliation. Please contact:
Brenda Carden, Privacy Officer
Richmond City Department of Public Health
900 E Marshall Street, 3rd Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 646-3251 AND/OR The Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services
Office for Civil Rights
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20201
Phone: (202) 619-0257
Toll Free: (877) 696-6775
- Effective Date of Notice: December 26, 2002
