Notice of Privacy Practices
Effective Date: March 1, 2009 | Last Revised: October 2013
Who We Are
Somnatek Sleep Health Center (“Somnatek,” “we,” “our”) is a sleep medicine clinic located at 465 Upper Riverdale Road, Suite 2, Harrow County, GA 30274. We are required by federal law to maintain the privacy of your protected health information and to provide you with this Notice.
Our Obligations
We are required by law to:
- Maintain the privacy of your health information as required under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and applicable state law.
- Provide you with a copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices.
- Follow the terms of this Notice currently in effect.
- Notify you if we are unable to agree to a requested restriction.
- Accommodate reasonable requests you may have to communicate health information by alternative means or at alternative locations.
How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information
The following categories describe different ways that we may use and disclose your health information. Not every use or disclosure in a category will be listed.
Treatment
We may use your health information to provide, coordinate, or manage your sleep health care and any related services. This includes coordination of care with other providers, referring physicians, or specialists involved in your treatment.
Payment
We may use and disclose your health information to obtain payment for services. This may include contacting your insurance company to verify coverage, submitting claims, and responding to billing inquiries.
Health Care Operations
We may use and disclose your health information for operational purposes including quality review, staff training, compliance reviews, and business management activities necessary to operate our clinic.
Research
Somnatek has conducted sleep research in collaboration with institutional partners under applicable research protocols. Patients who enrolled in longitudinal studies may be subject to extended record retention requirements under separate protocol agreements executed at time of study intake. Research use of de-identified data may continue after the conclusion of active clinical operations. Participants with questions about their study records should refer to their original study consent documentation.
As Required by Law
We will disclose health information about you when required to do so by federal, state, or local law, including public health activities, oversight activities, and judicial and administrative proceedings.
Business Associates
We may share health information with business associates who perform services on our behalf. We require these associates to appropriately protect the privacy of your information through written agreements.
Your Rights
Right to Inspect and Copy
You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of health information that may be used to make decisions about your care. To request access, submit your request in writing to our Privacy Officer. We may charge a reasonable fee for copying and postage.
Right to Amend
You may ask us to amend health information about you for as long as the information is kept by Somnatek. To request an amendment, submit your request in writing with the reason for the amendment to our Privacy Officer. We may deny requests under certain circumstances.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You have the right to request a list of disclosures we have made of your health information, except for disclosures for treatment, payment, health care operations, and certain other purposes. Your request must be in writing and state a time period.
Right to Request Restrictions
You have the right to request a restriction or limitation on the health information we use or disclose for treatment, payment, or health care operations. We are not required to agree to your request.
Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice
You have the right to a paper copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices. You may ask us to give you a copy at any time. This Notice is also available at the front desk and on this website.
Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to change this Notice and to make the revised Notice effective for health information we already have about you as well as any information we receive in the future. We will post a copy of the current Notice in the facility and on this website.
Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with Somnatek Sleep Health Center or with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. To file a complaint with Somnatek, contact our Privacy Officer in writing at the address below. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.
Contact Information
Somnatek Sleep Health Center — Privacy Officer465 Upper Riverdale Road, Suite 2
Harrow County, GA 30274
Tel: (404) 551-4145
Fax: (404) 671-9774
Email: records@somnatek.org
Following the cessation of clinical operations on September 18, 2014, privacy-related inquiries regarding archived patient records should be directed to Dorsal Health Holdings LLC. See the closure notice for contact information.