Notice of Privacy Practices
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.
Dr. Ben Soffer, PLLC
Concierge Internal Medicine Practice
Our Commitment to Your Privacy
We understand that your medical information is personal and private. We are committed to protecting your health information and complying with all applicable laws regarding the privacy of your Protected Health Information (PHI). This Notice explains your rights and our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your PHI.
1. How We May Use and Disclose Your Protected Health Information
The following categories describe different ways that we may use and disclose your PHI without your written authorization:
Treatment
We may use your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare and related services. This includes consultations with other healthcare providers, referrals to specialists, coordination with pharmacies for prescriptions, and communication with laboratories for test results. For example, we may share information with a specialist to whom we refer you, or with a hospital if you require admission.
Payment
We may use and disclose your PHI to obtain payment for services we provide to you. This may include providing information to your health insurance company, Medicare, or other third-party payers. For example, we may need to provide your insurance company with information about treatment you received so they can process your claim for reimbursement.
Healthcare Operations
We may use and disclose your PHI for our internal operations necessary to run our practice. These uses and disclosures are necessary to ensure that all patients receive quality care. This includes quality assessment and improvement activities, reviewing competence of healthcare professionals, conducting training programs, business planning, and general administrative activities.
Appointment Reminders and Health-Related Communications
We may use and disclose your PHI to contact you to remind you of an appointment, to provide information about treatment alternatives, or to provide other health-related information that may be of interest to you.
Individuals Involved in Your Care
We may disclose your PHI to a family member, friend, or other person you indicate is involved in your care or payment for your healthcare, unless you object. We may also disclose information to notify a family member or personal representative of your location, general condition, or death.
As Required by Law
We will disclose your PHI when required to do so by federal, state, or local law. This includes disclosures for public health activities, reporting abuse or neglect, health oversight activities, judicial and administrative proceedings, law enforcement purposes, coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors, organ donation, research (with appropriate approvals), to avert a serious threat to health or safety, for specialized government functions, and for workers' compensation.
Business Associates
We may disclose your PHI to our business associates who perform functions on our behalf or provide us with services if the information is necessary for such functions or services. All of our business associates are obligated, under contract with us, to protect the privacy of your information and are not allowed to use or disclose any information other than as specified in our contract.
3. Your Rights Regarding Your Protected Health Information
You have the following rights with respect to your PHI:
Right to Access
You have the right to inspect and copy your PHI maintained by us in a designated record set. This includes medical and billing records. To request access, submit your request in writing to our Privacy Officer. We may charge a reasonable fee for copying and mailing. We may deny your request to inspect and copy in certain limited circumstances. If you are denied access to your information, you may request that the denial be reviewed.
Right to Request Amendment
You have the right to request that we amend your PHI if you believe the information is incorrect or incomplete. To request an amendment, submit your request in writing to our Privacy Officer, along with a reason for the amendment request. We may deny your request if the information was not created by us, is not part of the information you would be permitted to inspect and copy, or is accurate and complete. If we deny your request, we will provide you with a written explanation and information about how to file a disagreement.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You have the right to receive a list (accounting) of certain disclosures we have made of your PHI. This accounting will not include disclosures made for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, disclosures made directly to you or your personal representative, disclosures you authorized, and certain other disclosures. To request an accounting, submit your request in writing to our Privacy Officer. Your request must specify a time period, which may not be longer than six years. The first accounting in any 12-month period is free; we may charge a reasonable fee for additional requests.
Right to Request Restrictions
You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your PHI for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. You also have the right to request restrictions on disclosures to family members or others involved in your care. We are not required to agree to your requested restriction, except that we must agree to restrict disclosures to a health plan for payment or healthcare operations purposes if you have paid for the service or item out of pocket in full. To request a restriction, submit your request in writing to our Privacy Officer.
Right to Request Confidential Communications
You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your health matters in a certain way or at a certain location. For example, you may request that we contact you only at work or only by mail. To request confidential communications, submit your request in writing to our Privacy Officer. We will accommodate all reasonable requests.
Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice
You have the right to obtain a paper copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices at any time, even if you have previously agreed to receive this Notice electronically. To obtain a paper copy, please contact our office.
Right to Be Notified of a Breach
You have the right to be notified in the event of a breach of your unsecured PHI. We will notify you of any such breach as required by law.
4. Our Duties Regarding Your Protected Health Information
5. How to File a Complaint
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you have the right to file a complaint with our practice or with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
File with Our Practice
Contact our Privacy Officer to file a complaint about our privacy practices:
Dr. Ben Soffer, PLLC
Privacy Officer
Boca Raton, FL
Phone: (561) 468-6981
Fax: (561) 709-4606
Email: info@drbensoffer.com
File with HHS
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Toll-free: 1-877-696-6775
Website: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy
No Retaliation: We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint. You will not be penalized or discriminated against in any way for exercising your rights under HIPAA.
6. Privacy Officer Contact Information
This Notice of Privacy Practices is effective as of
January 1, 2025
By receiving care from Dr. Ben Soffer, PLLC, you acknowledge that you have been provided with a copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices. A copy of this notice is available on our website and in our office. If you have any questions about this Notice, please contact our Privacy Officer.