Notice of Privacy Practices
Effective Date: February 2nd, 2025
1. Introduction
We Care Urgent Care Plus (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your Protected Health Information (“PHI”). This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how we may use and disclose your PHI, and how you can get access to this information.
2. Information We Collect
- Personal Information: Name, date of birth, contact information (address, phone number, email address), social security number (or other unique identifier), insurance information (including plan name, group number, and member ID), and emergency contact information.
- Health Information: Medical history (including past illnesses, surgeries, medications, and allergies), present illnesses or injuries, symptoms, diagnoses, treatment plans, test results (including lab results, imaging results, and pathology reports), prescriptions, immunization records, and any other information related to your health status.
- Payment Information: Billing address, credit card information, bank account information, and other financial information necessary for processing payments.
- Other Information: Information collected through the use of our website or mobile applications, such as IP addresses, device information, and usage data.
3. How We May Use and Disclose Your PHI
- Treatment: To provide you with medical diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care, including planning and coordinating your care, providing referrals, and consulting with other healthcare professionals.
- Payment: To bill and collect payment for healthcare services, including processing insurance claims, obtaining prior authorization, and collecting copayments and deductibles.
- Healthcare Operations: To support the operation of our practice, such as quality improvement, business planning, audits, and training.
- Other Permitted Uses and Disclosures:
- Public Health: Reporting diseases, preventing spread, and public health surveillance.
- Law Enforcement: Compliance with court orders or subpoenas.
- Lawsuits and Legal Proceedings: In connection with legal cases or hearings.
- Governmental Audits: Compliance with audits by agencies like the OIG.
- Workers’ Compensation: Compliance with relevant laws.
- Organ and Tissue Donation: To facilitate donations and transplants.
- Research: With appropriate privacy safeguards.
- Business Associates: Such as billing, IT providers, and legal counsel under HIPAA compliance.
4. Your Rights Regarding Your PHI
- Right to Inspect and Copy: You may inspect and obtain a copy of your PHI, with some exceptions.
- Right to Amend: Request changes if your PHI is inaccurate or incomplete.
- Right to Request Restrictions: Request limitations on how we use or share your PHI (not guaranteed).
- Right to Request Confidential Communications: Ask us to contact you in specific ways or locations.
- Right to Receive an Accounting of Disclosures: You may request a record of certain PHI disclosures.
- Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice: Available upon request.
5. Data Security
We maintain safeguards to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your PHI, including:
- Physical Safeguards: Secure access to facilities, locked cabinets, and controlled media disposal.
- Technical Safeguards: Passwords, encryption, firewalls, and system protections.
- Administrative Safeguards: Policies, staff training, and regular privacy/security audits.
6. Changes to This Notice
We may revise this Notice at any time. If material changes occur, we will update our website and provide the new Notice at your next office visit.
7. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Notice of Privacy Practices, please contact us:
Phone: 346-644-7851
Address: 20212 Champion Forest Dr Ste 100, Spring, TX 77379
