Privacy & Security

 

Notice of Health Information Privacy Practices

Privacy Policy: Effective April 1, 2003

In order to collect and process online orders and other form based requirements from this website, we require that our patients provide personal and payment information. This information will be used for the sole purpose of providing our patients with products and services and will not be sold, or otherwise made available to any person or organization outside of Augusta Medical Systems.

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

Augusta Medical Systems, LLC is dedicated to using your health information responsibly and in full compliance with the law. This Notice of Health Information Privacy Practices describes the information we collect, how and when we use or disclose that information, and your rights as they relate to your protected health information. This Notice explains how we will meet the requirements for the Privacy Regulations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

Who Must Abide By the Notice

All employees, staff, and other personnel who provide services at Augusta Medical Systems, LLC.

The people and organizations to which this Notice applies may be referred to as "Augusta Medical Systems," "we," "our," or "us." We provide services and products to individuals throughout the United States. We may share your information with each other for the purposes of treatment and as necessary for payment and operations activities described below.

Understanding Your Protected Health Information

Your Protected Health Information, often referred to as your health or medical record, serves as a:

Basis for planning your care and treatment,

Means of communication among the many health professionals who contribute to your care,

Legal document describing the care you received,

Means by which you or a third-party payor can verify that services billed were actually provided,

A tool in educating health professionals,

A source of data for medical research,

A source of information for public health officials charged with improving the health of the state and nation,

A source of date for our planning and marketing,

A tool with which we can assess and continually work to improve the care we render and the outcomes we achieve

Understanding what is in your record and how your health information is used helps you to ensure its accuracy, better understand who, what, when, and make more informed decisions when authorizing disclosures to others.

Your Health Information Rights

Although your health record is the physical property of Augusta Medical Systems, LLC, the information belongs to you. You have the right to:

Obtain a paper copy of this notice of information practices upon request,

Inspect and copy your health record as provided for in 45 CFR 164.524

Amend your health record as provided for in 45 CFR 164.528,

Obtain an accounting of disclosures of your health information as provided for in 45 CFR 164.528

Request communications of your health information by alternative means or at alternative locations,

Request a restriction on certain uses and disclosures of your information as provided by 45 CFR 164.522 and

Revoke your authorization to use or disclose health information except to the extent that action has already taken place.

Our Responsibilities

Augusta Medical Systems, LLC is required to:

Maintain the privacy of your health information,

Provide you with this notice as to our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to information we collect and maintain about you,

Abide by the terms of this notice,

Notify you if we are unable to agree to a requested restriction, and

Accommodate reasonable requests you may have to communicate health information by alternative means or alternative locations.

We will not use or disclose your health information without your authorization, except as described in this notice. We will also discontinue to use or disclose your health information after we have received a written revocation of the authorization according to the procedures included in the authorization.

We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information in the Following Ways

For each point, we have provided a brief explanation and in some cases we have provided examples. These examples are not an exhaustive list of all the specific ways we may use or disclose information.

Treatment and Services.

Providing you with durable medical equipment, supplies and services as prescribed by your physician and the coordination and consultation with your physician and other healthcare providers is considered a form of treatment and service. We will also provide your physician or your health care provider with a letter each time you call into our Customer Support Department, which allows your physician to stay informed on the treatment you receive from Augusta Medical Systems, LLC.

For example: We may share health information with your physician to determine the best medical equipment for you. The services and supplies Augusta Medical Systems, LLC provides you will be contained in your medical record.

Payment

Augusta Medical Systems, LLC will use and disclose your health information to obtain payment for the services and supplies provided. As it pertains to Augusta Medical Systems, LLC, payment activities include, but are not limited to, insurance verification, pre-certification, billing and collection, obtaining documentation required by your insurer, and providing personal health information to your insurer.

For example: An invoice or bill may be sent to you or a third-party payer for reimbursement on the supplies or services prescribed by your physician. The information on or accompanying the bill may include information that identifies you, as well as your diagnosis, procedures, and supplies provided.

Family and Friends

Augusta Medical Systems, LLC may disclose to a family member, spouse, personal friend, or any other person you identify, the health information relevant to that personÕs involvement with your care or payment related to your health care.

Operations

Augusta Medical Systems, LLC may use or disclose your health information for operational purposes. Operations can include, but not limited to, review of your health information by us to ensure compliance with all federal and state regulations, business planning and management, and certain marketing and administrative activities.

For example: We may use your health information to improve the quality and services offered by Augusta Medical Systems, LLC.

Marketing Information to Patients

Augusta Medical Systems, LLC may use your health information to provide you with information about treatment options or other services we provide. Marketing information can include, but not limited to, appointment reminders, information about treatment alternatives or other health-related products and services we offer.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Augusta Medical Systems, LLC may disclose to the FDA health information relative to adverse events with respect to food, supplements, product and product defects, or post marketing surveillance information to enable product recalls, repairs, or replacement.

Business Associates

Augusta Medical Systems, LLC may disclose health information to attorneys, accountants, and others acting on behalf of Augusta Medical Systems, LLC. These individuals or entities are called Business Associates and are asked to sign written documents agreeing to uphold the confidentiality of the patientsÕ health information.

Other Purposes

Augusta Medical Systems, LLC may and will only disclose as much information as necessary for certain purposes. We may disclose your information to organ procurement organizations or other entities engaged in the procurement, banking, or transplantation of organs for the purpose of tissue donation and transplant. We may disclose information to the extent authorized by and to the extent necessary to comply with laws relating to workersÕ compensation or other similar programs established by law. As required by law, we may disclose your health information to public health or legal authorities charged with preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability. We may disclose the health information of members of the armed forces as authorized by military command authorities or for law enforcement purposes as required by law in response to a valid subpoena.

Changes to this Notice

Augusta Medical Systems, LLC reserves the right to change our privacy practices and to make the new provisions effective for all protected health information we maintain. Any new or revised Notices are available upon request or by visiting www.augustams.com.

For More Information or to Report a Problem

If you have questions and would like additional information, you may contact:

Augusta Medical Systems, LLC
Attention: Privacy Officer
1025 Broad Street
Augusta, GA 30901
Toll Free (800) 827-8382

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with our Privacy Officer or with the Office for Civil Rights, US Department of Health and Human Services. There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint with either the Privacy Officer or the Office for Civil Rights.

Augusta Medical Systems, LLC
Notice of Privacy Practices
Last Revised 10/31/2007

Security:

Our store is secured using an SSL certificate from Thawte. An SSL certificate encrypts all data sent from your browser to our server to guarantee that the information you enter is not intercepted by anyone outside of our organization. Additional information regarding Thawte SSL certificates may be obtained at http://www.thawte.com.