Note: This Notice of Privacy Practices is provided for educational and informational purposes only. This Notice is not intended as legal advice and is not provided for adoption or publication by any party. The publication of any such notice may create legal obligations or liabilities which may vary depending upon the legal status and business operation of different organizations. The form and content of any Notice Privacy Practices should be determined only upon informed consultation with qualified legal counsel.

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.

THIS NOTICE IS EFFECTIVE 12/02/02 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Right To Noticer

As a patient of Dr. Leonard and Associates you have the right to adequate notice of the uses and disclosures of your protected health information. Under Health Insurance portability and accessibility act (HIPPA), Dr. Leonard and Associates can use your protected health information for treatment and health care operations.
a) Treatment – Dr. Leonard and Associates may use or disclose your health information to a physician or other healthcare provider providing treatment to you.

b) Payment – Dr. Leonard and Associates may use and disclose your health information to obtain payment for services we provide for you.

c) Health care operation – Dr. Leonard and Associates may use and disclose your health information to obtain payment for in connection with our healthcare operations. Health care operations include quality assessment and improvement activities, reviewing the competency or qualification of health care professionals, evaluating provider performance, conducting training programs, accreditation, certification, licensing or credentialing activities.

Your Authorization

Most uses and disclosure that do not fall under treatment, payment healthcare operations will require your written authorizaton. Upon signing, you may revoke your authorization (in writing) through our practice at any time.

Emergency Situations

In the event of your incapacity or emergency situation we will disclose health information to a family member or another person responsible for your care, using our professional judgement. We will only disclose health information that is directly relevant to the person involvement in you health care.

Marketing

Dr. Leonard and Associates will not use your health information for marketing communications without your written authorization.

Required By Law

Dr. Leonard and Associates may also use or disclose your health information when we are required to do so by law.

Abuse Or Neglect

Dr. Leonard and Associates may disclose your health information to appropriate authorities if we reasonably believe that you are a possible victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence or the victim of other crimes. Dr. Leonard and Associates may disclose your health information to the extent necessary to avert a serious threat to you or other people’s health or safety.

National Security

Dr. Leonard and Associates may disclose the health information of Armed Forces to personnel military authorities under certain circumstances. Dr. Leonard and Associates may disclose heatlh informaiton to authorized federal official required for lawful intelligence, counterintelligence and other national security activities. Dr. Leonard and Associates may disclose health information of inmates or patients to the appropriate authorities under certain circumstances.

Appointment Reminders

Dr. Leonard and Associates may use or disclose your health information to provide you with an appointment reminder via phone, e-mail or letter.

Your Right As A Patient

You have the right to restirct the disclosure of your protected health information (in writing). The request for restriction may be denied if the information is required for treatment , payment or health care operations. You have the right to receive confidential communication regarding your protect health information.
You have the right to inspect and copy your protected health information.
You have right to amend your protected health information.
You have the right to receive an account of disclosure of your protected health information.
You have the right to a paper copy of this notice of Privacy Practices.

Legal Requirements

Dr. Leonard and Associates is required by law to maintain the privacy of your portected health information. We are required to abide by the terms of this notice as is currently stated, and reserve the right to change this notice. The policies in any new notice will not be in effect until they are posted to this site, or are available within our office.

Complaints

If you have complaints regarding the way your protected health information was handled, you may submit a complaint in writing to our office. You will not be retaliated against any manner for a complaint.

Contact Information

For further information about Dr. Leonard and Associates privacy policies, please contact Dr.Leonard, at
14425 Chase Street
Panorama City, CA 91412
(818)891-6711