This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed by Smiles of Spokane, and how you can get access to this information. Please read this Privacy Policy carefully and be sure to return occasionally to read any changes that have been made since your last visit.
At Smiles of Spokane, we understand that medical information about you and your health is considered ‘protected health information’ and we are committed to protecting your medical information. This personal health information includes individually identifiable information about your past, present or future health or condition, the provision of health care to you or payment for such health care.
We use and disclose personal health information about you for treatment, payment and health care operations and procedures.
Treatment
We may disclose personal health information to your insurance provider, our dentist(s) and other dental care providers for treatment purposes. For instance, your dentist may wish to provide a dental service but first may seek information from your insurance provider to determine if the service has been previously provided.
Payment
We disclose your personal health information in order to fulfill our duty to check your coverage, determine your benefits and secure payment for services provided to you. For instance, at Smiles of Spokane, we may use your personal health information in order to request process of your claims by your insurance provider.
Health Care Operations
At Smiles of Spokane, we may disclose your personal health information as a part of certain operations, such as quality improvement. For instance, Smiles of Spokane may use your personal health information to evaluate the quality of dental services that are performed.
We may be asked by the sponsor of your health plan to provide your personal health information to the sponsor. If we are asked to do so, we intend to honor such requests, unless we are prohibited by law to do so.
At Smiles of Spokane, we may use or disclose your personal health insurance without your authorization for several other reasons. Subject to certain requirements, we may give out personal health insurance without your authorization for public health purposes, auditing purposes, research studies and emergencies.
At Smiles of Spokane, we may provide personal health information when otherwise required by law, such as for law enforcement in specific circumstances, or for judicial or administrative proceedings. In any other situation, we will ask for your written authorization before using or disclosing your personal health information. If you choose to sign an authorization to allow disclosure of your personal health information, you can later revoke that authorization to stop any future uses and disclosures (other than for treatment, payment and health care operations).
Individual Rights
In most cases, you have the right to view or get a copy of your personal health information. You also have the right to receive a list of instances where we have disclosed your personal health information without your written authorization for reasons other than treatment, payment or health care operations and procedures.
If you believe that information in your record is incorrect or if important information is missing, you have the right to request that we correct the existing information or add the missing information.
You may request in writing that we not use or disclose your personal health information for treatment, payment and health care operations except when specifically authorized by you, when required by law, or in emergency circumstances.
At Smiles of Spokane, we will consider your request but are not legally required to accept it. You also have the right to receive confidential communications of personal health information by alternative means or at alternative locations if you clearly state that disclosure of all or part of your personal health information could endanger you.
Complaints
If you are concerned that we have violated your privacy rights, or you disagree with a decision we have made about access to your records, you may contact us at our mailing address: 3606 S. Regal, Spokane WA 99223. You may also send a written complaint to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Customer Service can provide you with the appropriate address upon request.
Our Legal Duty
At Smiles of Spokane, we are required by law to protect the privacy of your information, provide this notice about our Privacy Policy and follow the information practices that are described in this policy. If you wish to inspect your records, receive a list of disclosures or correct or omit information in your record, or if you have questions, complaints or concerns, please contact our office during business hours.
This Privacy Policy last updated 8.8.14.