Notice of Privacy Practices

Effective Date: April 14, 2003

Your privacy is important. This Notice of Privacy Practices explains how your protected health information (PHI) may be used and disclosed, your rights regarding that information, and how you can access it. Please read this notice carefully.

In accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), I am required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information and to provide you with this notice describing my legal duties and privacy practices.

If you have any questions about this notice, please contact:

Sherri Grady, LPC, LPCS
745 Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, Suite A
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Phone: (843) 330-8408

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

Protecting your personal and health information is a fundamental part of providing quality care. I am committed to safeguarding the confidentiality of the information you share throughout the counseling process.

A current copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices is always available upon request and may also be provided during your appointment.

What Information Is Protected?

Protected Health Information (PHI) includes information created or received while providing counseling services that could identify you, including:

Mental health diagnoses or treatment information
Counseling session records and clinical notes
Information indicating that you are a client of this practice
Demographic information such as your name, address, date of birth, and insurance information
Contact information, phone numbers, email addresses, and other identifying details
Any other information that could reasonably identify you in connection with your care

How Your Information May Be Used and Disclosed

Under HIPAA, your protected health information may be used or disclosed without your written authorization for the following purposes:

Treatment

Your information may be used to provide, coordinate, or manage your counseling and mental health care.

Payment

Information may be shared as necessary to obtain payment from you or your insurance provider for services rendered.

Health Care Operations

Your information may be used to support the day-to-day operations of the practice, including quality assurance, recordkeeping, licensing requirements, and administrative activities.

Uses Requiring Your Written Authorization

Most uses or disclosures of your protected health information outside of treatment, payment, and health care operations require your written authorization.

Examples include:

Releasing records to another provider not involved in your care
Sharing information with family members or other individuals at your request
Providing records to attorneys, employers, schools, or other third parties

You may also authorize the transfer of your records to another provider.

You may revoke your authorization at any time by submitting a written request. Revocation will not apply to information already disclosed in reliance on your previous authorization.

Written revocation requests may be sent to:

Sherri Grady, LPC, LPCS
745 Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, Suite A
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

Your Privacy Rights

You have the right to:

Request access to your protected health information.
Request a copy of your records, subject to applicable laws.
Request corrections to information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete.
Request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures of your information.
Request confidential communications, such as being contacted at a different address or phone number.
Receive a copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices at any time.

While every reasonable request will be considered, certain requests may be limited as permitted by law.

Our Responsibilities

This practice is required by law to:

Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
Provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices.
Follow the privacy practices described in this notice.
Notify you if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your protected health information.

Changes to This Notice

This Notice of Privacy Practices may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in applicable laws or practice policies. Any revised notice will apply to all protected health information maintained by this practice and will be made available upon request and on this website.

Questions or Concerns

If you have questions about this notice or believe your privacy rights have been violated, please contact: