The following is the Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) for Willows Way, Inc. This NPP is directed toward all Willows Way clients and their guardians. Therefore, "you" refers to Willows Way's clients and/or guardians. 

   Notice of Privacy Practices 

    Effective date:  April 14, 2003 

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. 

We are required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to follow the practices described in this pamphlet.  This notice applies to personal health information that we have about you and which is kept in or by Willows Way.  With some exceptions, we must obtain your authorization to disclose (or release) your health care information.  There are some situations in which we do not have to obtain your authorization.  We can use your protected health information and share it with certain other entities, such as the Department of Mental Health.  This Notice of Privacy Practices does not cover every possible use or disclosure.  If you have any questions, please contact the Willows Way Privacy Officer. 

Who has access to your personal information? 

Medical/health information about you can be used to:

1. Plan your treatment and services.  This includes releasing information to the Department of Mental Health (DMH) or people who are involved in your care or treatment.  It may also include other agencies which we pay to provide services for you.

2. We will only release as little as possible for them to do their jobs.

3. Submit bills to your insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, or third party payers.

4. Obtain approval in advance from your insurance company.

5. Exchange information with Social Security, Social Services, and the Department of Health and Senior Services.

6. Measure our quality of services.

7. Decide if we should offer more or fewer services to consumers. 

Without your permission, we may use your personal information:

1. To exchange information with State agencies as required by law.

2. To treat you in an emergency.

3. To treat you when there is something that prevents us from communicating with you.

4. To inform you about possible treatment options.

5. For agencies involved in a disaster situation.

6. As required by State, Federal, or local law.  This includes investigations, audits, inspections, and licensure.

7. When ordered to do so by a court.

8. To communicate with law enforcement if you are a victim of a crime, involved in a crime at our facility, or you have threatened to commit a crime.

9. To communicate with coroners, medical examiners, and funeral homes, when necessary for them to do their jobs.

10. To communicate with federal officials involved in security activities authorized by law.

Uses or disclosures not covered in this Notice of Privacy Practices will not be made without your written authorization.  If you provide us written authorization to use or disclose information, you can change your mind and revoke your authorization at any time, as long as it is in writing.  If you revoke your authorization, we will no longer use or disclose the information.