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Privacy Policy

 

Privacy Policy

Terms and Conditions of Use

IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THE acorn, com  WEBSITE OR ANY VIDEO, AUDIO, APPLICATIONS, FEATURES OR FUNCTIONALITY AVAILABLE ON OR THROUGH THE WEBSITE (collectively, the “Site”).

Acorn Psychology respects your privacy and is committed to protecting it through compliance with this Privacy Policy. 

Please review this Privacy Policy carefully to understand how we collect information, how we use the information, with whom we share it, and the choices available regarding our use of the information. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, you may choose not to use our Site or our Services. By accessing and using the Site or our Services, you accept and agree to this Privacy Policy.

Links to Other Websites

Our Site may provide links to other websites for your convenience and information. These websites may operate independently from us. Linked websites may have their own privacy policies, which we strongly suggest you review if you visit any linked websites. To the extent any linked websites you visit are not owned or controlled by us, we are not responsible for those websites’ content, any use of those websites, or the privacy practices of those websites.

Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)

When it comes to the collection of information from children under the age of 13 years old, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) puts parents in control. The United States Federal Trade Commission enforces COPPA, which spells out what operators of websites and online services must do to protect children’s privacy and safety online. We comply with all applicable COPPA requirements and do not specifically market our Services to children under the age of 13 years old.

Changes To Our Privacy Policy

At our sole discretion, we may make changes to this Privacy Policy at any time. When changes are made, we will post an updated Privacy Policy on our Site. The changes will apply to all information we have about you. All changes are effective immediately upon posting; the date the Privacy Policy was last revised is identified at the top of the page. If you access and use our Site or Services after the date on which the Privacy Policy has changes, Acorn Psychology will treat your use as acceptance of the updated Privacy Notice. You are expected to check this page from time to time so you are aware of any changes, as they are binding on you.


NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

Effective: November 1, 2019

THIS NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES (“NOTICE”) DESCRIBES HOW MENTAL, BEHAVIORAL, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, MEDICAL AND OTHER HEALTH CARE INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Acorn Psychology, LLC (“Acorn”) provides individual, dyadic, family, and group therapy services to children, adolescents, adults, couples, parents and families, and other related counseling and medical services.

PURPOSE

We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your health information. This Notice describes our legal duties and privacy practices. This Notice tells you how we may use and disclose your health information. This Notice also describes your rights and how you may exercise your rights. Acorn agrees to abide by the terms of this Notice.

  • Your Protected Health Information. We refer to your mental, behavioral, medical and other health care information as “protected health information” or “PHI.” PHI is health information we have collected in our records from you or received from other health care providers, health plans or the county. It may include information about your past, present or future physical or mental health or condition. For example, PHI in your records could include your diagnosis, treatment plan or evaluations. PHI also includes information about payment for services.

  • Confidentiality of Your PHI. Your PHI is confidential. We are required to maintain the confidentiality of your PHI by the following federal and Pennsylvania laws.

    • The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. The Department of Health and Human Services issued the following regulations: “Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information.” We call these regulations the “HIPAA Privacy Regulations.” We may not use or disclose your PHI except as required or permitted by the HIPAA Privacy Regulations. The HIPAA Privacy Regulations require us to comply with Pennsylvania laws that are more stringent and provide greater protection for your PHI.

    • Pennsylvania Mental Health Confidentiality Laws.  Pennsylvania laws may provide greater protection for your PHI than the HIPAA Privacy Regulations. For example, we are not permitted to disclose or release PHI in response to a Pennsylvania subpoena. Also, any information acquired by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist in the course of your treatment is privileged under Pennsylvania law and may not be released without your authorization or court order. Finally, if mental health records include information relating to drug or alcohol abuse or dependency, we are required to comply with the Pennsylvania Drug and Alcohol Abuse Control Act. We will comply with the Pennsylvania laws that are more stringent than the HIPAA Privacy Regulations and provide greater protection for your PHI.

    • Confidentiality of HIV-Related Information. Pennsylvania laws may provide greater protection for PHI related to HIV as provided for in 35 P.S. §7601 ET. Seq. We will comply with Pennsylvania laws that are more stringent than the HIPAA Privacy Regulations and provide greater protection for your PHI.

  • Why this Notice is Important. The HIPAA Privacy Regulations require that we provide you with this Notice. We will post a current copy of the Notice at office and on our website. A copy of our Notice is available upon request. We reserve the right to change the terms of this Notice at any time. Any revised Notice will be effective for all PHI that we maintain at that time and for information we receive in the future.

AUTHORIZATION TO DISCLOSE YOUR PHI

Except as described in this Notice, it is our practice to obtain your authorization before we disclose your PHI to another person or party. You may revoke an authorization, at any time, in writing. If you revoke an authorization, we will no longer use or disclose your PHI. However, we cannot undo any disclosures we have already made.

HOW WE MAY USE OR DISCLOSE YOUR PHI WITHOUT YOUR AUTHORIZATION

  • Uses and Disclosures for Treatment, Payment and Health Care Operations. Unless prohibited by more stringent Pennsylvania mental health or other laws, the HIPAA Privacy Regulations permit us to use and disclose your PHI for the following purposes in order to provide your treatment.

    • For Treatment. It is necessary for us to use your PHI to care for you. In order to help you, our clinicians and other staff need to use your PHI. For example, we may need to share your PHI with a case manager who is responsible for coordinating your care. We may disclose your PHI to another health care provider (e.g., your therapist or primary care physician) for your treatment. When you are referred to another provider we are permitted to provide your PHI if it is necessary for the continuity of your care and treatment.

    • For Payment. We will use and disclose your PHI to obtain payment for our services. Before you receive services, we may disclose PHI to your insurance company, health plan, county or other third party payer to permit them to: make a determination of eligibility or coverage; review the medical necessity of your services; review your coverage; or review the appropriateness of care or our charges. We will also use your PHI for billing, claims management, collection activities and data processing. For example, a bill may be sent to you or whoever pays for your services. The bill may include PHI that identifies you as well as your diagnosis, procedures and supplies used in the course of your treatment. We may also disclose PHI to another provider for payment activities of the provider that receives the PHI.

    • For Health Care Operations. We may use and disclose your PHI within the company in order to carry out our health care operations. For example, your PHI is used for: business management and general administrative duties; quality assessment and improvement activities; medical, legal and accounting reviews; business planning and development; licensing and training. Our quality assurance team may use PHI in your record to assess the care and outcomes in your case and others like it. This information will then be used in an effort to improve the quality and effectiveness of the services we provide. 

    • Other Uses and Disclosures. We may contact you to provide appointment reminders, or information about treatment alternatives or other health related benefits that may be of interest to you.

For certain health information, you can tell us your choices about what we share. If you have a clear preference for how we share your information in the situations described below, talk to us. Tell us what you want us to do, and we will follow your instructions. In these cases, you have both the right and choice to tell us to:

  • Share information with your family, close friends, or others involved in your care

  • Share information in a disaster relief situation

  • Include your information in a hospital directory

If you are not able to tell us your preference, for example if you are unconscious, we may go ahead and share your information if we believe it is in your best interest. We may also share your information when needed to lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.

In these cases we never share your information unless you give us written permission: 

  • Marketing purposes

  • Sale of your information

  • Most sharing of psychotherapy notes

  • We may contact you for fundraising efforts, but you can tell us not to contact you again.


Other Permitted and Required Uses and Disclosure that May Be Made without Your Authorization.

    • Introduction. Unless prohibited by more stringent Pennsylvania mental health, mental retardation, substance abuse laws or other laws, the HIPAA Privacy Regulations permit us to use or disclose your PHI without your authorization or agreement under the following circumstances.

    • As Required By Law. We will disclose PHI about you when required to do so by federal or Pennsylvania law. Any use or disclosure must comply with and be limited to the relevant requirements of the law. For example, we are required to report or disclose PHI related to child or elder abuse or neglect and commitment proceedings authorized by the Pennsylvania Mental Health Procedure Act of 1966.

    • Emergencies. We may use or disclose your PHI in an emergency treatment situation when use and disclosure of the PHI is necessary to prevent serious risk of bodily harm or death to you.

    • Public Health Activities. If required by federal or Pennsylvania law, we will disclose your PHI for public health activities in order to: prevent disease, injury or disability; report births and deaths; report child abuse or neglect; report reactions to medications; notify a person who may be at risk for contracting or spreading a disease or condition; or notify appropriate government authorities if we believe a patient has been the victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence, when required to do so by law or with your agreement. Only specific information required by law may be disclosed without your authorization.

    • Health Oversight Activities. If required by law, we may use or disclose PHI about you to a health oversight agency. A health oversight agency includes government agencies such as Medicare, Medicaid or county programs. Oversight activities include audits, accreditation, investigations, inspections, utilization review and licensure of Acorn.

    • To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety. The HIPAA Privacy Regulations permit us to use and disclose PHI about you when necessary to prevent a serious and imminent threat to your health or safety or to the health or safety of the public or another person. Under these circumstances, we will only disclose health information to someone who is able to help prevent or lessen the threat. However, if you are receiving mental health services, more stringent Pennsylvania laws require our mental health professionals to exercise reasonable care to warn another person if you communicate a specific and immediate threat of serious bodily injury against a specific person or readily identifiable person. 

    • Disclosures in Legal Proceedings. We are not permitted by Pennsylvania law to disclose PHI regarding mental health or drug and alcohol services in response to a Pennsylvania subpoena, unless a court or administrative agency issues us an order to release your PHI. If you are receiving services in our mental health programs, Pennsylvania law requires us to make a good faith effort to notify you by certified mail at your last known address that we disclosed your PHI pursuant a court order.

    • Law Enforcement Activities. We are not permitted by Pennsylvania laws to disclose PHI regarding mental health or drug and alcohol services to law enforcement agencies or officials except pursuant to a court order or in special circumstances required by law. For example, we may disclose the minimum necessary PHI to report a death or criminal conduct on our premises.

    • Special Situations. We are not permitted by federal or Pennsylvania laws to disclose PHI regarding mental health or drug and alcohol services except pursuant to the following: your authorization; a court order; medical personnel in a medical emergency; qualified personnel for research, audit or program evaluation; or special circumstances required by federal or state laws. Subject to these more stringent federal or Pennsylvania laws, the HIPAA Privacy Regulations permit us to disclose PHI related to: military and veterans agencies; national security and protective services for the President and others; inmates or if you are under the custody of a law enforcement official; a coroner or medical examiner to identify a deceased person or determine the cause of death; or to a funeral director as necessary to carry out their duties.

YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR PHI

  • Right to Request Restrictions. You have the right to request a limitation or a restriction on our use or disclosure of your PHI for treatment, payment or healthcare operations. You may also request that we limit the PHI we disclose to family members, friends or a personal representative who may be involved in your care. However, we are not required to agree to a restriction. If we agree to the requested restriction, we may not use or disclose your PHI in violation of that restriction unless it is needed to provide emergency treatment. You may request a restriction by making your request in writing, including: (a) what PHI you want to limit; (b) whether you want us to limit our use, disclosure or both; and (c) to whom you want the limits to apply.

  • Right to Request Confidential Communication. You have the right to request that confidential communications from us be sent to you in a certain way or at an alternative location. For example, you can ask that we only contact you at your home or by mail. We will accommodate reasonable requests. We may also condition this accommodation by asking you for specific information. We will not request an explanation from you as to the basis for the request. Please make this request in writing specifying how or where you wish to be contacted.

  • Right to Inspect and Copy. You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your PHI that is contained in our records. However, you may not inspect or copy the following records: psychotherapy notes; or information compiled in reasonable anticipation of, or use in, a civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding. In addition you may be denied access to your PHI if: it was obtained from a person under a promise of confidentiality; or disclosure is likely to endanger the life and physical safety of you or another person. A decision to deny access may be reviewed. To inspect and copy your PHI, submit your request in writing. 

  • Right to Amend. If you believe the PHI that we have collected about you is incorrect, you have certain rights. If you are receiving mental health services, you have the right to submit a written statement qualifying or rebutting information in our records that you believe is erroneous or misleading. This statement will accompany any disclosure of your records. You also have the right under the HIPAA Privacy Regulations to request an amendment of the PHI maintained in our records. We may deny your request for an amendment if it is not in writing or does not include a reason to support the request.

  • Right to Receive an Accounting of Disclosures. You have the right to request an “accounting of disclosures.” This is a list of the disclosures we have made of PHI about you. We are not required to account for disclosures related to: treatment, payment or our health care operations; authorizations signed by you; or disclosures to you, to family members, to your personal representative involved in your care or for notification purposes. 

  • Right to a Paper Copy of this Notice. You have the right to receive a paper copy of this Notice upon request.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES; RIGHT TO FILE A COMPLAINT

If you feel your PHI was not kept confidential, you may officially file a grievance with us at the contact provided below. You can also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by sending a letter to 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201, calling 1-877-696-6775, or visiting www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

CONTACT

Acorn Psychology, LLC

Dena M. Dunn, PsyD, IMH-E (IV-C)

201 S. Highland Avenue, Suite 104

Pittsburgh, PA 15206

412-342-8820

drdunn@acornpsych.com