Privacy Policy

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Effective Date: October 2025

Digestive Health Services is required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) to maintain the privacy of your protected health information (PHI) and to provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices. We are committed to protecting your health information and will only use and disclose it as permitted by law.

1. Our Pledge Regarding Your Health Information
   
   We understand that health information about you is personal. We are committed to protecting your medical, billing, and other personal information we maintain about you. This notice applies to all records of your care generated by our practice.
   
   
2. How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information
   
   The following categories describe ways we use and disclose your PHI. Not every use or disclosure in a category is listed.
   
   

• • For Treatment: We may use your PHI to provide, coordinate, and manage your healthcare. For example, we may share your PHI with a specialist we refer you to.
    
    
  • For Payment: We may use and disclose your PHI so that the treatment and services you receive may be billed to, and payment collected from, your insurance company or other third party. For example, we provide your health plan with information about your diagnosis to justify payment.
    
    
  • For Health Care Operations: We may use and disclose your PHI for our practice’s operations. For example, we may use your PHI to review the quality of care you received or to train our staff.
    
    
  • With Your Authorization: Other uses and disclosures of your PHI not covered by this notice will be made only with your written authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time.
    
    

3. Special Situations
   
   We may also use or disclose your PHI without your authorization in the following situations:
   
   

• • As required by state or federal law.
    
    
  • For public health activities (e.g., reporting disease outbreaks).
    
    
  • To report abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
    
    
  • For health oversight activities (e.g., audits, investigations).
    
    
  • For judicial and administrative proceedings.
    
    
  • For law enforcement purposes.
    
    
  • To coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors.
    
    
  • To avoid a serious threat to health or safety.
    
    
  • For specialized government functions (e.g., military, national security).
    
    

4. Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
   
   You have the following rights regarding your PHI:
   
   

• • Right to Inspect and Copy: You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your medical and billing records.
    
    
  • Right to Request an Amendment: If you feel that the PHI we have is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask us to amend the information.
    
    
  • Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You have the right to request a list of certain disclosures we made of your PHI for purposes other than treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
    
    
  • Right to Request Restrictions: You have the right to request a restriction or limitation on the PHI we use or disclose for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. Note: We are not required to agree to all requests.
    
    
  • Right to Request Confidential Communications: You have the right to request that we communicate with you about medical matters in a certain way or at a certain location (e.g., only by phone at your office).
    
    
  • Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice: You have the right to a paper copy of this notice at any time.
    
    

6. Our Responsibilities
   
   We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information. We are required to abide by the terms of this Notice currently in effect. We reserve the right to change the terms of this notice, and the new terms will be effective for all PHI we maintain. You can obtain a revised copy by contacting us or visiting our website.
   
   
7. Complaints
   
   If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.
   
   

   To file a complaint with us, contact:

   Digestive Health Services

   Email: tech@gipartnersofil.com