NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES – for Whatcom Center for Early Learning clients

This notice describes how medical information about your child/ren may be used and disclosed, and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.

Whatcom Center for Early Learning respects your privacy. We understand that your child/ren's personal health information is very sensitive. We will not disclose his or her information to others unless you tell us to do so, or unless the law authorizes or requires us to do so.

The law protects the privacy of the health information we create and obtain in providing our care and services to your child/ren. For example, his or her protected health information includes symptoms, test results, diagnoses, treatment, health information from other providers, and billing and payment information relating to these services. Federal and state law allows us to use and disclose protected health information for purposes of treatment and health care operations. State law requires us to get parental (or legal equivalent) authorization to disclose this information for payment purposes.

Examples of Use and Disclosures of Protected Health Information for Treatment, Payment, and Health Care Operations

For treatment:

• Information obtained by a therapist, FRC or other member of our early intervention or administrative team will be recorded in your child/ren's file and used to help decide what care may be right for your child/ren.
• We may also provide information to others providing your child/ren's care. This will help them stay informed about their care.

For payment:

• We may request payment from your health insurance plan. Health plans need information from us about your child/ren's therapy care. Information provided to health plans may include your child/ren's diagnoses, procedures performed, or recommended care.

For health care operations:

• We use your child/ren's records to assess quality and improve services.
• We may use and disclose medical records to review the qualifications and performance of our health care providers and to train our staff.
• We may contact you to remind you about appointments and give you information about your child/ren's treatment/therapy alternatives or other health-related/therapy-related benefits and services.
• We may contact you to help raise funds.
• We may use and disclose your information to conduct or arrange for services, including:

• medical quality review by your health plan;
• accounting, legal, risk management, and insurance services;
• audit functions, including fraud and abuse detection and compliance programs.

Your Health Information Rights

The health and billing records we create and store are the property of Whatcom Center for Early Learning (WCEL). The protected health information in it, however, generally belongs to you. You have a right to:

•  Receive, read, and ask questions about this Notice;
•  Ask us to restrict certain uses and disclosures. You must deliver this request in writing to us. We are not required to grant the request, but we will comply with any request granted;
•  Request and receive from us a paper copy of the most current Notice of Privacy Practices for Protected Health Information ("Notice");
•  Request that you be allowed to see and get a copy of your child/ren's protected health information. You may make this request in writing. We have a form available for this type of request;
•  Have us review a denial of access to your child/ren's health information-except in certain circumstances;
•  Ask us to change your child/ren's health information. You may give us this request in writing. You may write a statement of disagreement if your request is denied. It will be stored in his or her center record, and included with any release of the records;
•  When you request, we will give you a list of disclosures of your child/ren's health information. The list will not include disclosures to third-party payors. You may receive this information without charge once every 12 months. We will notify you of the cost if you request this information more than once in 12 months;
•  Ask that your child/ren's health information be given to you by another means or at another location. Please sign, date, and give us your request in writing;
•  Cancel prior authorizations to use or disclose health information by giving us a written revocation. Your revocation does not affect information that has already been released. It also does not affect any action taken before we have it. Sometimes, you cannot cancel an authorization if its purpose was to obtain insurance.

For help with these rights during normal business hours, please contact: Sandra Berner, Executive Director or Laura Nelson, Administrative Assistant/Office Manager at (360) 671-3660, Monday through Thursday, 8:30am - 5pm

Our Responsibilities

We are required to:

•  Keep your child/ren's protected health information private;
•  Give you this Notice;
•  Follow the terms of this Notice.

We have the right to change our practices regarding the protected health information we maintain. If we make changes, we will update this Notice. You may receive the most recent copy of this Notice by calling and asking for it or by visiting the Center to pick one up.

To Ask for Help or Complain

If you have questions, want more information, or want to report a problem about the handling of your child/ren's protected health information, you may contact: Sandra Berner, Executive Director, or Laura Nelson, Administrative Assistant/Office Manager, at (360) 671-3660, Monday through Thursday 8:30am to 5pm.

If you believe your child/en's privacy rights have been violated, you may discuss your concerns with any staff member. You may also deliver a written complaint to Sandra Berner, Executive Director, at our facility. You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

We respect your right to file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. If you complain, we will not retaliate against you.

Other Disclosures and Uses of Protected Health Information

Notification of Family and Others

Unless you object, we may release health information about your child/ren to a friend, family member, or caregiver who is involved in his or her early intervention care. We may also give information to someone who helps pay for his or her care. We may discuss your child/ren's condition with their family, friends, or caregiver and acknowledge attendance at Whatcom Center for Early Learning. In addition, we may disclose health/therapy information about your child/ren to assist in disaster relief efforts.

You have the right to object to this use or disclosure of your information. If you object, we will not use or disclose it.

We may use and disclose your child/ren's protected health information without parental (or legal equivalent) authorization as follows:

•  For public health and safety purposes as allowed or required by law:

•  to prevent or reduce a serious, immediate threat to the health or safety of a person or the public.
•  to public health or legal authorities
•  to protect public health and safety
•  to prevent or control disease, injury, or disability
•  to report vital statistics such as births or deaths.

•  To report suspected abuse or neglect to public authorities.
•  For law enforcement purposes such as when we receive a subpoena, court order, or other legal process, or your child/ren are the victim of a crime.
•  For health and safety oversight activities. For example, we may share health information with the Department of Health.
•  For disaster relief purposes. For example, we may share health information with disaster relief agencies to assist in notification of your child/ren's condition to family or others.
•  In the course of judicial/administrative proceedings at your request, or as directed by a subpoena or court order.
•  For specialized government functions. For example, we may share information for national security purposes.

Uses and disclosures not in this Notice will be made only as allowed or required by law or with parental (or legal equivalent) written authorization.
 

Whatcom Center for Early Learning
2001 H Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-671-3660