Effective Date: April 1, 2025
This Notice describes how your medical information may be used and disclosed, and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.
Texas Healthy Aging & Hormone Therapy (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy of your Protected Health Information (PHI) in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Texas Medical Records Privacy Act.
1. Our ResponsibilitiesWe are required by law to:
Maintain the privacy and security of your health information
Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices
Notify you if a breach occurs that may compromise the privacy or security of your PHI
Abide by the terms of this Notice currently in effect
2. How We May Use and Disclose Your PHIWe may use or share your PHI for the following purposes without your written authorization:
a. TreatmentTo provide, coordinate, or manage your health care and related services. For example, we may share your health information with a specialist, pharmacy, or lab involved in your treatment plan.
b. PaymentTo bill and receive payment from health plans or other entities. This includes verifying insurance coverage, processing claims, and billing you directly if applicable.
c. Healthcare OperationsFor administrative purposes such as quality assessment, provider training, auditing, and licensing.
d. As Required by LawWe may disclose your PHI when required by federal, state, or local law, including public health reporting, law enforcement, and court orders.
e. Business AssociatesThird-party service providers (e.g., labs, billing processors, IT vendors) may access PHI to support your care. All business associates are required by law to protect your information through a signed HIPAA-compliant agreement.
3. Other Uses and Disclosures Require Your Written AuthorizationWe will not use or share your PHI for the following without your written permission:
Marketing or promotional purposes
Sale of your information
Use of psychotherapy notes
Disclosure to third parties not involved in your care
You may revoke your authorization at any time in writing.
4. Your Rights Regarding PHIYou have the right to:
Access your records: Request to view or receive a copy of your medical and billing records.
Request amendments: Ask us to correct your records if you believe they are incorrect or incomplete.
Receive an accounting of disclosures: Request a list of certain disclosures we’ve made of your PHI.
Request restrictions: Ask us not to use or share certain PHI for treatment, payment, or operations (we are not always required to agree).
Request confidential communications: Ask us to contact you in a specific way (e.g., phone vs. mail).
Receive a paper copy of this Notice, even if you agreed to receive it electronically.
To exercise any of these rights, please submit a written request to our Privacy Officer (see contact information below).
5. Our Commitment to SecurityWe protect your health information through a combination of physical, administrative, and technical safeguards, including:
Encrypted electronic health record systems
Secure email and file transmission practices
Role-based access controls and staff training
HIPAA-compliant data sharing agreements with all third-party vendors
6. ComplaintsIf you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with:
Texas Healthy Aging & Hormone Therapy – Privacy Officer2517 Hwy 180 West, Ste BMineral Wells, TX 76067Phone: (940) 325-3706Email: [Insert HIPAA contact email]
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
Office for Civil RightsU.S. Department of Health and Human Services200 Independence Avenue, S.W.Washington, D.C. 20201Phone: 1-877-696-6775Website: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints
We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
7. Changes to This NoticeWe reserve the right to change this Notice and make the revised version effective for all PHI we maintain. The most current version will always be posted at our office and on our website.