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. 

This notice applies to GEORGETOWN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, the doctors and other healthcare providers practicing at this facility.

We are required by law to protect the privacy of your information.  We reserve the right to change our policies and notice of privacy practices at any time.  If we should make a significant change in our policies, we will change this notice and post the new notice.  You can also request a copy of our notice at any time.

How your health information may be used

We may use health information about you for your treatment purposes, to obtain payment or for healthcare operations and other administrative purposes.  Examples of each item mentioned above are listed below:
  • Treatment: We may need to send your medical record information to a specialist or physician as part of referral for continuity of care.
  • Payment: We will use your health information and other identifying information for billing Medicare, Medicaid or other health insurance plans.
  • Operations or administrative purposes: We use your information when processing your medical records for completeness and to compare patient data to improve our treatment methods.

How your information may be disclosed

As a healthcare provider, we are subject to certain regulations in which we have to disclose your health information.  These disclosures are generally routine to all patients and are done without your specific authorization.  Some examples of these are listed below:
  • State and Federal laws require us to report cases of abuse, neglect or other reasons requiring law enforcement
  • Public health activities
  • Health oversight agencies
  • Judicial and administrative proceedings
  • Death and funeral arrangements
  • Organ donation
  • Special government functions including military and veteran requests
  • To prevent serious threat to health or public safety.

We may also contact you after your current visit for future appointment reminders or to provide you with information regarding treatment alternatives or other health-related services that may be of benefit to you. We will obtain your written authorization for any other disclosures beyond the reasons listed above.

Do remember, if you do authorize us to release your information, you always have the right to revoke the authorization later. We will be happy to honor that request except to the extent that we may have already acted upon it.

The following list explains what your rights are with regards to how your information can be used and disclosed.

  • Access to your Health Information: In most cases, you have the right to look at or receive a copy of your health information. It may take up to 30 days to prepare your request and there may be preparation fee associated with making the copies.
  • Accounting of Disclosures: You have the right to ask for a list of instances in which we have disclosed your information for reasons other than treatment, payment and operations. We can provide you one list per year without charge; all additional requests in the same year will be subject to nominal charge.
  • Amendment/Correction of Health Information: If you believe that the information we have about you is incorrect or if important information is missing, you have the right to request that we amend the existing information. There may be some reason that we cannot honor your request for which you may submit a statement of disagreement.
  • Alternate/Confidential Communication: You can request that your health information be communicated to you at an alternate location or address other than that with which you may have registered, such as sending mail to an address other than your home.
  • Restrictions to Use/Disclose of your Health Information: You can request in writing that we not use or disclose your information for any reasons or to persons involved in your care except when specifically authorized by you or when required by law, or in emergency circumstances. We are not legally required to accept them but will try to honor any reasonable requests.
Complaints

For more information about our privacy practices or to place a complaint or to report a complaint or concern, please contact:

Georgetown Community Hospital Privacy Officer:  Belinda Newsted  (502) 868-1230

If you prefer to report a concern anonymously, you may call 1-877-508-5433.