Employment Practices and Privacy Notice
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Aria Hospice does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age in admission, treatment, or participation in its program, services and activities, or in employment.
NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE
Aria Hospice does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or age in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities within the scope of the agency’s services and the agency’s financial ability to deliver services.
This statement is in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Ac of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age of Discrimination Act of 1975, and Regulations of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued to these statues at Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 80, 84m and 91. For further information about this policy, contact: 1-800-368-1019 (Voice) 1-800-537-7697 (TDD) E-Mail: ocrmail@hhs.gov Website: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr
HIPAA and General Guidelines
PRIVACY STATEMENT
Aria Hospice respects the importance of its patient’s personal privacy and understands the sensitive nature of its patient’s health information. The agency also recognizes that federal and state laws require that individually identifiable health information must be safeguarded against improper use or disclosure. It is the agency’s policy not to use or disclose a patient’s health information except as permitted by law and to adopt safeguards to protect the confidentiality of its patient’s health information.
PERMITTED USES AND DISCLOSURE FOR TREATMENT, PAYMENT AND HEALTH CARE OPERATIONS
Aria Hospice (Agency) can use or disclose a patient’s health information for treatment, payment, or health care operations without obtaining a consent or authorization from patient or patient’s legally authorized representative.
VERIFICATION
Agency shall take reasonable steps to verify the identity and authority of the person or entity requesting access to a patient’s health information. Reasonable verification procedures include, but are not limited to: reviewing an identification badge or license; a written statement on letterhead; personal knowledge of the requestor; or knowledge of the place of business, address or telephone number. For purposes of notification of family or friends, Agency shall assume a person’s involvement in the patient’s care based on the circumstances, such as the fact that they sign necessary paperwork during the admission process.
MINIMUM NECESSARY
Agency shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that only the minimum amount of information necessary to satisfy the particular purpose of the use or disclosure is provided. Unless the circumstances indicate otherwise, agency shall presume that requests from public officials, health care providers, plans and clearinghouses, professionals members of agency’s workforce, business associates, requests for research, requests from the patient and requests pursuant to a valid authorization are for the minimum amount of information necessary for the stated purpose.
RELEASE OF ENTIRE MEDICAL RECORD
In general, Agency will not release a patient’s entire medical record unless the release of the whole record is justified as reasonably necessary to accomplish the purpose of the requested use or disclosure. Unless the circumstances indicate otherwise, Agency shall presume that requests from public officials, health care providers, plan and clearinghouses, professional members of Agency’s workforce, business associates, requests for research, requests from the patient and requests pursuant to a valid authorization for the entire medical record are reasonable.
This Notice applies to all employees, staff, and trainees, volunteers, and other agents acting on behalf of Alliance Hospice.
Contact Information
If users have any questions or suggestions regarding our privacy policy, please contact our HIPAA Privacy Officer at 760-412-5574, by email to the Privacy Officer, Teresa Starrs at teresa@ariahospice.com, or by US Post at:
Attn: Teresa Starrs, Aria Hospice 2831 Camino Del Rio S. Ste. 207, San Diego CA 92108
