HIPAA Privacy Policy
Our Pledge Regarding Medical Information
We understand that medical information about you and your health is personal. We are committed to protecting medical information about you. We create a record of the care and services you receive at any Regional Health Systems location. We need this record to provide you with quality care and to comply with certain legal requirements. This notice applies to all of the records of your care generated by any Regional Health Systems location.
Your Rights
Regional Health Systems is dedicated to ensuring that your treatment here meets the highest standards of quality care. The following rights ensure your personal privacy and dignity while in our care. Regardless of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, age, or disability, you have the right:
- To receive adequate, humane, and individualized care in the least restrictive environment.
- To make informed decisions regarding your care, including the right to be informed of your health status, to be involved in care planning and treatment, and to be able to request or refuse treatment. For minors, parents or guardians have the right to be included in the treatment planning process and the creation of an individualized treatment plan.
- To request and receive information about alternative treatment procedures and about the risks and side effects of any treatment that is recommended.
- To see your medical record in a reasonable period of time in the presence of your physician or clinician, provided that you submit a written request to do so. All information contained in the record is confidential and can only be released with your consent or as necessary to prevent injury to you or others, or pursuant to law.
- To be informed of your rights in a language you and/or your family understand.
- To be informed of all fees charged for services.
- To present complaints concerning quality of care either on your own behalf or as presented by family members or legal guardians.
- To request consideration of a clinical staff transfer throughout the treatment process.
- To refuse services, to withdraw from treatment (including medications), to the extent permitted by law, to be informed of the consequences of such a withdrawal, and to receive appropriate referrals.
- To receive an appropriate screening or assessment and referral for or provision of management of pain.
- To practice the religion of your choice.
- To obtain a second opinion regarding your recommended plan of treatment. You are responsible for any expense associated with a second opinion.
- To refuse to participate in a research project and not to be denied appropriate services as a result of that refusal.
- To be informed about and to contact or consult with, at your own expense, available advocacy services such as the Legal Aid Program, Mental Health America, and the appeals process of other human service agencies.
Regional Health Systems provides a grievance process for clients who are dissatisfied with treatment, who feel their rights have been violated, or who have allegations of professional misconduct or ethical concerns to report. You should discuss your complaint with your primary clinician first, then the clinician’s supervisor or the program director. If you feel your concern is still unresolved, then contact the client advocate at 219-769-4005.
If you have compliments, questions, concerns, or complaints about services, treatment, procedures, safety issues, rights or policies, you can contact any of the following:
- VP of Community Mental Health Services at Regional Health Systems
219-392-6022 - Consumer Service Line, Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addictions
800-901-1133 - Indiana Advocacy and Protection
800-622-4845 - Joint Commission’s Office of Quality Monitoring
800-994-6610
complaint@jointcommission.org
Your Choices
The congressional Patient Self-Determination Act states you can decide, right now, your
preference of medical treatments through an advance directive. Advance directives allow you to choose an individual(s) you trust to make medical decisions for you should you become permanently or temporarily unable to make health care decisions.
Advance directives recognized by Indiana law include:
• Appointment of health care representative. You can authorize a person you trust to make
medical treatment decisions for you, if you become unable to decide for yourself.
• Durable power of attorney. You can authorize a person to make medical and other decisions for you (other than direct medical treatment decisions which can only be made by a health care representative) should you become unable to make these decisions for yourself.
• Living will or life-prolonging procedures declaration. You can direct which “life-prolonging procedures” must be or must not be used to extend your life insofar as possible when you are unable to express this decision for yourself.
• Psychiatric advanced directive. While you are capable, you can set forth your treatment preferences and consents for specific treatment measures for periods when you are incapacitated. Ask your treatment providers for information.
You cannot be forced to decide about an advance directive, nor can you be prevented from choosing an advance directive option best for you. You will be treated fairly, without discrimination, regardless of your decision. Because health care decisions can be complex, consider consulting a lawyer before writing down your legal choices.
Our Uses & Disclosures
This Notice of Privacy Practice outlines your basic rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), as well as our responsibilities. The following is a brief summary of the information contained in the Notice of Privacy Practices.
This information can and will be used to:
•Conduct, plan and direct your treatment and follow-up among multiple healthcare providers who may be involved in your treatment directly or indirectly.
•Obtain payment from third party payers.
•Conduct normal healthcare operations such as quality assessments and physician certifications.
Regional Health Systems has the right to change its Notice of Privacy Practices from time to time and you may contact us at any time to obtain a current copy of Notice of Privacy Practices. You may also request in writing that we restrict how your private health information is used or disclosed to carry out treatment, payment or healthcare operations. We are not required to agree with your restrictions, but if we do agree, then we are bound by such restrictions.
If you have any questions regarding these rights, please discuss them with your primary clinician or case manager at any time during your course of treatment with us.