Use and Disclosure of Health Information

The Agency may use your health information, also referred to as protected health information under the Privacy Rule provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), for purposes related to treatment, payment, and health care operations. The Agency has implemented policies and safeguards intended to prevent unnecessary or unauthorized disclosure of your health information.

1. The following summarizes the situations in which and reasons why your health information may be used or disclosed:

   1. To Provide Treatment

      The Agency may use your health information to coordinate your care within the Agency and with individuals involved in your treatment, including your attending physician and other healthcare providers assisting with your care. For example, healthcare professionals involved in your treatment may need information regarding your symptoms to determine appropriate medications or services.

      The Agency may also disclose your health information to individuals outside the Agency who participate in your care, such as family members, pharmacists, medical equipment suppliers, or other healthcare providers. Certain services provided through the Agency may involve contracted business associates, including therapy or social work services. When these contracted services are necessary, the Agency may share relevant health information with those business associates so they can perform services on the Agency’s behalf. The Agency requires all business associates to appropriately protect and safeguard your information.

   2. To Obtain Payment

      The Agency may use or disclose your health information to obtain payment for services provided to you. For example, your health insurer may require information regarding your condition, treatment, or healthcare status before approving or reimbursing payment for services. The Agency may also need to request prior authorization from your insurance provider and explain the need for home care or related services.

   3. To Conduct Health Care Operations

      The Agency may use and disclose your health information as part of its healthcare operations to support daily business activities and ensure quality patient care. Healthcare operations may include:

      1. Quality assessment and improvement activities.
      2. Programs intended to improve patient outcomes or reduce healthcare costs.
      3. Care coordination, case management, and protocol development.
      4. Communicating with healthcare providers and patients regarding treatment alternatives or related healthcare services.
      5. Professional evaluations and performance reviews.
      6. Educational and training programs for students, trainees, or healthcare professionals working under supervision.
      7. Training activities involving non-healthcare personnel.
      8. Accreditation, licensing, certification, and credentialing activities.
      9. Auditing, compliance reviews, medical reviews, legal services, and regulatory compliance activities.
      10. Business planning, development, cost management, and related operational analysis.
      11. Administrative and management functions of the Agency.
      12. Fundraising efforts conducted on behalf of the Agency.

      For example, the Agency may use your health information to evaluate staff performance, improve patient care processes, train staff and contracted personnel, remind you about scheduled visits, or provide general community or fundraising communications unless you request not to receive such communications.

   4. For Fundraising Activities

      The Agency may use limited information about you, including your name, address, phone number, and dates of service, to contact you regarding fundraising activities supporting the Agency. This information may also be shared with a related Agency foundation. If you prefer not to receive fundraising communications, you may notify the Privacy Officer and request to opt out. You may choose to opt out of all fundraising communications or only specific campaigns. Your decision regarding fundraising communications will not affect your treatment or payment for services.

   5. For Appointment Reminders

      The Agency may use or disclose your health information to contact you regarding scheduled appointments or home visits.

   6. For Treatment Alternatives

      The Agency may use or disclose your health information to inform you about treatment options, healthcare services, or alternatives that may be relevant or beneficial to your care.

2. The following summarizes additional situations in which your health information may be used or disclosed:

   1. When Required by Law

      The Agency may disclose your health information whenever required to do so under applicable federal, state, or local laws and regulations.

   2. Public Health Activities

      The Agency may disclose your health information for public health purposes, including:

      1. Preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability, and reporting births, deaths, or public health investigations.
      2. Reporting product defects, adverse events, recalls, repairs, replacements, or compliance activities involving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
      3. Notifying individuals who may have been exposed to a communicable disease or who may be at risk of spreading a disease.
      4. Informing employers regarding workplace-related health matters when legally authorized or required.

   3. Reporting Abuse, Neglect, or Domestic Violence

      The Agency may disclose your health information to government authorities if it believes you may be a victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence, as permitted or required by law. Such disclosures will only be made when legally authorized or with your agreement when appropriate.

   4. Health Oversight Activities

      The Agency may disclose health information to health oversight agencies for activities such as audits, inspections, investigations, licensure reviews, disciplinary actions, or other authorized oversight functions. However, disclosures will not be made if unrelated to your healthcare or public benefit eligibility.

   5. Judicial and Administrative Proceedings

      The Agency may disclose your health information during judicial or administrative proceedings in response to a court order, subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process when permitted by law and after taking reasonable steps to protect your privacy.

   6. Law Enforcement Purposes

      As allowed or required by law, the Agency may disclose health information to law enforcement officials for purposes including:

      1. Reporting certain wounds, injuries, or incidents pursuant to legal process.
      2. Identifying or locating a suspect, fugitive, witness, or missing person.
      3. Assisting in situations where you may be the victim of a crime.
      4. Reporting suspected criminal conduct related to a patient’s death.
      5. Reporting criminal activity during emergencies.

   7. Coroners and Medical Examiners

      The Agency may disclose health information to coroners or medical examiners to identify a deceased individual, determine the cause of death, or perform duties authorized by law.

   8. Funeral Directors

      The Agency may disclose health information to funeral directors when necessary to carry out funeral-related responsibilities, consistent with applicable laws.

   9. Organ, Eye, or Tissue Donation

      The Agency may use or disclose your health information to organizations involved in organ, eye, or tissue donation, procurement, banking, or transplantation.

   10. Research Purposes

       Under limited circumstances, the Agency may use or disclose health information for approved research activities. Any research-related disclosure will undergo an appropriate approval process, and authorization will be obtained when required.

   11. Serious Threat to Health or Safety

       The Agency may disclose health information when it believes, in good faith and consistent with legal and ethical standards, that disclosure is necessary to prevent or reduce a serious threat to your health or safety or that of another person or the public.

   12. Specialized Government Functions

       Federal regulations may permit the Agency to use or disclose health information for certain government functions involving military personnel, veterans, national security activities, protective services, correctional institutions, or law enforcement custody.

   13. Workers’ Compensation

       The Agency may disclose your health information as necessary to comply with workers’ compensation laws or similar programs.

   14. Adverse Events Reporting

       The Agency may disclose health information to the FDA concerning adverse events involving food, supplements, products, or product defects, including information necessary for recalls, repairs, replacements, or post-marketing surveillance.

3. Authorization to Use or Disclose Health Information

   Except as described in this Notice, the Agency will not use or disclose your health information without your written authorization. If you authorize the Agency to use or disclose your information, you may revoke that authorization in writing at any time.

   Most uses and disclosures involving psychotherapy notes, marketing purposes, or other uses not specifically described in this Notice require your authorization before disclosure.

4. Authorization for the Sale of Protected Health Information

   The Agency does not sell protected health information.

5. Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

   You have the following rights regarding health information maintained by the Agency:

   1. Right to Be Notified
      You have the right to receive notification if a breach involving your unsecured protected health information occurs.
   2. Right to Certain Restrictions
      You may request restrictions on disclosures of protected health information to a health plan when you pay out of pocket in full for a healthcare item or service.
   3. Right to Request Restrictions
      You may request limitations on how the Agency uses or discloses your health information. You may also request limits regarding disclosures to individuals involved in your care or payment for your care. The Agency is not required to agree to every request. Requests for restrictions should be submitted to the Privacy Officer.
   4. Right to Confidential Communications
      You may request that the Agency communicate with you through specific methods or at specific locations. For example, you may request private communications without family members present. Requests for confidential communication should be directed to the Privacy Officer, and the Agency will attempt to accommodate reasonable requests.
   5. Right to Inspect and Copy Health Information
      You have the right to inspect and obtain copies of your health information, including billing records. Requests should be made to the Privacy Officer. Clinical records, whether electronic or paper, will be made available free of charge at the next home visit or within four (4) business days of the request, whichever occurs first.
   6. Right to Amend Health Information
      You or your representative may request an amendment to your records if you believe information is inaccurate or incomplete. Requests must be submitted in writing to the Privacy Officer and must explain the reason for the amendment. The Agency may deny requests under circumstances permitted by law.
   7. Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
      You or your representative may request an accounting of certain disclosures made by the Agency. Requests must be submitted in writing to the Privacy Officer and may cover a period beginning on or after April 14, 2003, but not exceeding six (6) years. The first accounting provided within a 12-month period will be free of charge. Additional requests may involve a reasonable fee.
   8. Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice
      You or your representative may request a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you previously received it electronically or in another format.

6. Duties of the Agency

   The Agency is required by law to maintain the privacy of your health information and provide you with this Notice describing its legal duties and privacy practices. The Agency must comply with the terms of this Notice currently in effect.

   The Agency reserves the right to revise or update this Notice and make any revised provisions effective for all health information maintained by the Agency. If material changes are made, a revised Notice will be provided to you or your representative.

   You and your personal representative have the right to file complaints with the Agency or the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. Complaints to the Agency should be submitted in writing to the Privacy Officer. You will not face retaliation for filing a complaint.

7. Contact Person

   The Agency has designated a Privacy Officer to oversee matters related to patient privacy and rights under federal privacy laws. Questions or concerns regarding this Notice may be directed to:

   US UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES, LLC
   423 W Wheatland Rd #102
   Duncanville, TX 75116
   972-780-5226

8. Effective Date

   This Notice became effective on May 14, 2026