NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Q. What does the “Notice of Privacy Practices” A. The Notice lets you know that we take the privacy of your confidential protected health Information very seriously and describes how and when we may use or disclose it. Q. Why do I have to sign or initial an acknowledgement that I have received a copy of The Notice? A. We need to keep track of who receives a copy of The Notice, and an acknowledgeledgment will help us. Q. What happens if I won’t sign the acknowledgement? A. Nothing.If you don’t want to sign it, we’ll simply note in our files that you refused. Q. I already got a Notice and signed an acknowledgement in another office, so why do I need to do it again? A. The privacy regulations require each office to give out a Notice of Privacy Practices and obtain a signed acknowledgment from each patient. So even though you may have gotten one from another office, we need to have you sign an acknowledgement for our office as well. Q. Why do you have to share my health information? A. Sometimes we need to share your health Information with other doctors and/or health professionals who are treating you so that they have the information they need to give you the best care possible. We also need to share your information so that payment can be made for your treatment Q. Don’t you need my permission before you can give out my health information? A. We’re not required to get your permission when we share health information for specific reasons outlined in The Notice of Privacy Practices, for example: treatment, payment of treatment, other health care activities ( such as the review of our staff's credentials) and when oomplying with certain laws. Q. Do you ever need my permission to share my health information? Yes. We need your written authorization to give out your information at your request for any purpose(s) unrelated to our regular health care activities. An example would be someone requesting your health information for life insurance eligibility purposes. The authorization will explain specifically what information is being shared, with whom, why, and how long the authorization is valid. Q. What if I refuse to let you share any of my health care information? A-You have the right to request restrictions with whom we share your health information. You need to submit a written request to do this. Q-How can I get a copy of my dental record? A-The privacy regulations have not changed your ability to obtain a copy of your records. You just need to complete a written request form, and we will proceed in a timely fashion. Q-What if I have a question not answered on this list? A. Please contact this Office’s Contact Officer: Gregg K. Mullens, Pharm. D., D.D.S. Title: Owner / DentistPhone: (413)-773-7766 Fax: (413)-773-3050 Address: 40 School Street, Suite 6, Greenfield, MA 01301-2436 CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE PDF OF THIS PRIVACY NOTICE