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HIPAA Privacy Notice

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Last updated: 1/14/2025

This HIPAA Privacy Notice (“Notice”) describes how Carolina Plastic Surgery, PA (“Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) may use and disclose your protected health information (PHI) that is generated when we provide care and health services to you. It also outlines how you, or your authorized representatives (where permitted under applicable law), can access your information as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE WEBSITE CAREFULLY. YOUR USE OF THE WEBSITE INDICATES YOUR AGREEMENT TO THIS NOTICE AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

  1. PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION (PHI)

We may be permitted, or required, to use or disclose your health information—whether electronic or otherwise—that may identify you and is related to your past, present, or future physical or mental health condition and related healthcare services or products. This is referred to as Protected Health Information (PHI) and may be used for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations as outlined below:

  • Treatment: We may use or disclose your PHI and share it with other professionals involved in your care. For example, we may share your health condition details with doctors, nurses, technicians, or hospital personnel who are involved in your treatment.
  • Payment: We may use and disclose your PHI to bill and obtain payment from health plans or other entities. For instance, we may share your PHI with your health insurance provider to facilitate payment for services rendered.
  • Healthcare Operations: We may use and disclose your PHI to manage our practice and improve your care. This includes evaluating the quality of care provided or managing your treatment plan.
  1. ADDITIONAL USES AND DISCLOSURES OF YOUR PHI

We may use and disclose your PHI for additional reasons including, but not limited to:

  • Appointment Reminders: We may use your PHI to send appointment reminders or communicate about product refills, alternative health services, or other healthcare-related information.
  • Emergencies: We may share your information if we believe it is in your best interest when you are unable to express your preferences, for example, if you are unconscious, or if the information is necessary to prevent or reduce a serious threat to health or safety.
  • Business Associates: We may disclose your PHI to third-party contractors or entities (such as transcription, auditing, or legal services) who perform services on our behalf. These parties are required by law and contract to safeguard your PHI in the same way we do.
  • Legal Compliance: We may disclose your PHI to comply with HIPAA or other applicable privacy laws, or for law enforcement purposes if legal requirements are met.
  • Public Health and Safety: We may disclose your PHI for public health purposes, including reporting injuries, preventing disease, or reporting adverse medication reactions, as well as to prevent or address public health threats.
  • Legal Proceedings: We may share your PHI to respond to legal actions, such as subpoenas or court orders.
  • Research: We may share your PHI for health-related research purposes, where the Institutional Review Board (IRB) has waived the requirement for written authorization.
  • Medical Examiners and Funeral Directors: We may disclose your PHI to coroners, medical examiners, or funeral directors in the event of your death or to facilitate organ and tissue donation.
  • Workers’ Compensation, Law Enforcement, or Government Requests: We may disclose your PHI for workers’ compensation claims, law enforcement activities, or as required by federal or state government oversight.

It is important to note that while it is not possible to list every potential use or disclosure of your PHI, we will always make reasonable efforts to limit our use, disclosure, or request of your PHI to the minimum necessary to achieve the intended purpose.

  1. YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR PHI

Under HIPAA, you have the right to:

  • Access your PHI – You may request copies of your PHI.
  • Request corrections to your PHI if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete.
  • Request restrictions on how your PHI is used or disclosed.
  • Request confidential communications – You can ask to receive your PHI through alternative methods or at alternative locations.
  • Request an accounting of disclosures – You can ask for a list of disclosures we have made of your PHI.
  • Request to be notified of any breaches of your PHI.
  1. HOW TO CONTACT US

If you have questions, concerns, or would like to exercise your rights regarding your PHI, please contact us at:

Carolina Plastic Surgery
100 E. Wood St., Suite 100
Spartanburg, SC 29303
Phone: 864-583-1222
Email: [email protected]

We will respond to your inquiries under applicable laws.

  1. CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE

We may update this HIPAA Privacy Notice from time to time. The updated version will include an updated “Last Updated” date, and the updated notice will be effective immediately upon being made available. If we make significant changes, we may notify you directly or post a prominent notice on our website. Please review this notice regularly to stay informed about how we protect your PHI.