Notice of Privacy Practice

Notice of Privacy Practices

HIPAA Privacy Notice for Lauren Giamichael NP in Family Health PLLC

Effective Date: January 1, 2026

This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can obtain access to this information. Please review it carefully.

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

This telehealth practice is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your protected health information (“PHI”). As a solo family nurse practitioner practice providing telemedicine services, we are required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) to maintain the privacy of your health information and provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices.

How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information

We may use or disclose your PHI for the following purposes without your written authorization:

Treatment

We may use and disclose your information to provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare and treatment services. This may include communication with pharmacies, laboratories, specialists, hospitals, home health agencies, or other healthcare providers involved in your care.

Payment

We may use or disclose your information to bill and collect payment for healthcare services provided to you. This may include sharing information with insurance companies, Medicare, Medicaid, or other third-party payers.

Healthcare Operations

We may use your PHI for business activities necessary to operate the practice, including:

Quality assessment and improvement
Licensing and credentialing
Training and education
Compliance and auditing activities
Administrative and management activities
Telehealth Services

Because services are provided electronically, your information may be transmitted through secure telehealth platforms, electronic medical records, email, text messaging, and other electronic communication systems. We take reasonable safeguards to protect your information, but electronic communication may involve some risks.

Appointment Reminders and Communications

We may contact you by phone, voicemail, text message, email, or patient portal regarding:

Appointment reminders
Follow-up care
Test results
Treatment recommendations
Billing matters
Required by Law

We may disclose your information when required by federal, state, or local law.

Public Health and Safety

We may disclose information:

To prevent or control disease
To report abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
To avert a serious threat to health or safety
Law Enforcement and Legal Proceedings

We may disclose information in response to court orders, subpoenas, or lawful requests by government authorities.

Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization

We will obtain your written authorization before:

Using your information for marketing purposes
Selling your health information
Disclosing psychotherapy notes when applicable
Any other use not otherwise permitted by HIPAA
You may revoke your authorization at any time in writing.

Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

You have the right to:

Access Your Records

You may request copies of your medical and billing records.

Request Corrections

You may request that we amend inaccurate or incomplete information in your records.

Request Confidential Communications

You may request that we communicate with you in a specific way or at a specific location.

Request Restrictions

You may request limits on how we use or disclose your information. We are not always required to agree to requested restrictions.

Receive an Accounting of Disclosures

You may request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your PHI.

Obtain a Paper or Electronic Copy of This Notice

You may request a copy of this notice at any time.

Our Responsibilities

We are required to:

Maintain the privacy and security of your PHI
Provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices
Follow the terms currently in effect
Notify you if a breach occurs that may compromise the privacy or security of your information
We reserve the right to revise this notice at any time. Updated versions will be available upon request and posted on our website, if applicable.

Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with this practice or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint.

Contact Information
845-851-0889

For questions about this notice or to exercise your privacy rights, please contact the office directly.