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.
Our responsibilities
We are required to protect the privacy and security of your protected health information, provide this notice, follow the privacy practices described here, and notify you of a breach of unsecured protected health information as required by law. We follow applicable federal and North Carolina requirements, including stronger confidentiality protections where they apply.
Uses and disclosures
Treatment: We may use and share information to provide or coordinate care, consult with treating clinicians, and manage treatment when permitted by law. Payment: We may use and disclose information to bill, process claims, determine benefits, and address payment questions. Health care operations: We may use information to run the practice, improve care, review quality, train staff, and perform permitted administrative activities.
Other permitted or required disclosures may include public health reporting; reporting suspected abuse or neglect; health oversight and compliance reviews; responding to serious threats to health or safety; research subject to required safeguards; organ and tissue donation; medical examiner or funeral director duties; and certain workers' compensation, law enforcement, government, or legal requests. A request from an outside party does not automatically authorize disclosure. We apply the legal conditions and any additional protections that govern the information.
Vendors and technology
Authorized service providers may assist with billing, electronic records, secure communications, telehealth, and related operations. Required safeguards and agreements apply. Information may be shared through an authorized health information exchange when permitted, subject to applicable restrictions and choices. If documentation technology is proposed during a visit, the practice will explain its use and applicable choices; it does not replace clinical judgment.
Information requiring additional protection
We generally need written authorization for marketing uses, sale of health information, and most disclosures of separately maintained psychotherapy notes. Other uses not described in this notice require authorization unless permitted or required by law. You can revoke an authorization in writing; revocation does not undo actions already taken in reliance on it.
If we hold substance use disorder records protected by 42 CFR Part 2, we will not use or share those records in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative investigations or proceedings against you without your written consent or a court order and subpoena meeting applicable requirements. Other Part 2 restrictions and any required consent continue to apply. If fundraising communications involving Part 2 information are contemplated, you receive advance notice and a choice about receiving them. You may opt out of fundraising contact.
North Carolina protections and minor records
Where North Carolina law gives greater confidentiality protections, we apply those protections. Parent access to a minor’s records depends on legal authority, who consented to the particular care, and applicable exceptions. Qualifying minor-consented services under G.S. 90-21.5 and parental-notification rules under G.S. 90-21.4 require individual review. There is no blanket 13- or 14-year-old cutoff for hiding all psychiatric records.
Mandatory reporting laws include reporting suspected child abuse, neglect, dependency, or death from maltreatment under G.S. 7B-301, and a disabled adult’s need for protective services under G.S. 108A-102. Other legally required or permitted disclosures may apply. Read our North Carolina confidentiality and reporting guide or ask the practice how these rules affect a particular request.
Your choices
Tell us your preferences about sharing with family, friends, or others involved in your care or payment, and in disaster relief situations. If you cannot state a preference, a disclosure may be made when permitted based on professional judgment and your interests. Information may also be shared to address a serious and imminent safety threat when authorized by law.
Your rights
- Access: Ask to inspect or receive a paper or electronic copy of eligible records. Requests are generally acted on within 30 days; any permitted extension or denial is explained. Only lawful, reasonable cost-based copying fees may apply.
- Correction: Request an amendment if information is inaccurate or incomplete. If denied, you receive an explanation and information about available next steps.
- Confidential contact: Ask for reasonable alternatives for how or where we contact you.
- Restrictions: Ask us to limit a use or disclosure. We do not have to accept every request. If you pay for an item or service out of pocket in full, we must honor a qualifying request not to disclose it to your health plan for payment or operations unless disclosure is required by law.
- Accounting: Request an accounting of certain disclosures for the prior six years. This generally excludes treatment, payment, operations, and other legally excepted disclosures. One accounting in a 12-month period is free.
- Notice: Request a paper copy of this notice even if you received it electronically.
- Representative: A legally authorized representative may exercise applicable rights after we verify their authority.
- Complaint: Raise a privacy concern without retaliation or an adverse effect on your care for making the complaint.
Requests and complaints
Contact the Practice Privacy Contact, Steadwell Psychiatry PLLC, at (984) 290-7150, , or 4030 Wake Forest Road, Suite 349, Raleigh, NC 27609. Use ordinary email only to request a secure follow-up; do not include clinical details.
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights at hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint, or by writing to 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201. We will not retaliate.
Changes and copies
We may revise this notice, and revised terms may apply to information already maintained. The current notice is available from the office and on this website. Ask the office for a copy or an explanation of any part of it.
This notice addresses health information held by the practice. The website privacy page separately explains this informational site's technical operation.
PRIVACY RESOURCES
HHS: Your health information rights ↗