Notice of Privacy Practices

Effective Date: April 2026

This Notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can access this information. Please review it carefully.

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1. Our Commitment to Your Privacy

Palos Healthcare Center ("we," "our," or "us") is a HIPAA-covered healthcare provider. We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your Protected Health Information (PHI) and to provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices.

We are required to follow the terms of this Notice currently in effect.

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2. How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information

We may use or disclose your Protected Health Information (PHI) without your written authorization for the following purposes:

a. Treatment

We may use your health information to provide, coordinate, or manage your medical care. This may include sharing information with doctors, nurses, technicians, or other healthcare providers involved in your care.

b. Payment

We may use and disclose your PHI to bill and receive payment for services provided. This may include insurance companies, health plans, or third-party payers.

c. Healthcare Operations

We may use your PHI for internal operations such as quality improvement, staff training, licensing, and compliance activities.

d. Other Permitted or Required Disclosures

We may disclose your PHI when required by law, including public health reporting, legal proceedings, law enforcement requests, or to prevent a serious threat to health or safety.

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3. Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization

Any use or disclosure of your PHI not described in this Notice will only be made with your written authorization. You may revoke your authorization at any time in writing, except to the extent that action has already been taken.

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4. Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

You have the following rights under HIPAA:

a. Right to Access

You may request to inspect or obtain a copy of your medical records and other health information we maintain.

b. Right to Amend

You may request correction of health information you believe is incorrect or incomplete.

c. Right to an Accounting of Disclosures

You may request a list of certain disclosures of your PHI made in the past six years.

d. Right to Request Restrictions

You may request limitations on how we use or disclose your PHI. We are not always required to agree to your request, except where required by law.

e. Right to Confidential Communications

You may request that we communicate with you in a specific way or at a specific location (for example, by phone or mail).

f. Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice

You may request a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you agreed to receive it electronically.

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5. Our Responsibilities

We are required by law to:

• Maintain the privacy and security of your PHI
• Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices
• Notify you following a breach of unsecured PHI as required by law
• Follow the terms of this Notice

We reserve the right to change this Notice and apply changes to all PHI we maintain. Updated versions will be posted on our website and available upon request.

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6. Data Security and Safeguards

We implement administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your personal and health information against unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.

While we take reasonable steps to protect your information, no system or method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure.

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7. Website and Online Information

Information submitted through our website (such as contact forms or appointment requests) may be used to respond to inquiries or coordinate care. Do not submit sensitive medical emergencies through the website.

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8. Breach Notification

In the event of a breach involving your unsecured Protected Health Information, we will notify you as required by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act and applicable HIPAA regulations.

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9. Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

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