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Privacy

Personal Health
Information Policy

Dr. Maxwell is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal health information. Please read the following carefully.

Our commitment

Maintaining your privacy

Dr. Maxwell is required by law to maintain the privacy of your PHI and to provide you with notice of her legal duties and privacy practices. She reserves the right to update this Notice at any time. Any revised version will be effective for all PHI maintained at that time and made available on this website, by mail upon request, or at your next appointment.

How it’s used

How your health information may be used and disclosed

For treatment

Your PHI may be used or shared by those involved in your care for the purpose of providing, coordinating, or managing your treatment and related services. PHI will only be shared with outside consultants with your explicit authorization.

For payment

PHI may be used or disclosed to receive payment for services — but only with your authorization. This may include verifying insurance eligibility or processing claims. Only the minimum required PHI will ever be disclosed if collection becomes necessary.

Required by law

PHI will be disclosed to you upon your request, and to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services as required for compliance investigations under HIPAA’s Privacy Rule.

How it’s used

How your health information may be used and disclosed

In a limited number of situations, applicable law and ethical standards permit disclosure of PHI without prior authorization:

  • Child abuse or neglect
    PHI may be reported to a state or local agency authorized by law to receive such reports.
  • Medical emergencies
    PHI may be disclosed to medical personnel in emergencies to prevent serious harm. You will be notified afterward as soon as reasonably possible.
  • Health oversight
    PHI may be disclosed to authorized oversight agencies for audits, investigations, or inspections as required by law.
  • Public health
    PHI may be used or disclosed for mandatory public health activities authorized by law, such as disease prevention or injury control.
  • Verbal permission
    PHI may be shared with family members directly involved in your treatment when you have given verbal permission to do so.
  • Judicial and administrative proceedings
    PHI may be disclosed pursuant to a subpoena (with your written consent), court order, or administrative order.
  • Family involvement in care
    Information may be shared with close family members directly involved in your treatment based on your consent or to prevent serious harm.
  • Law enforcement
    PHI may be disclosed to law enforcement officials as required by law or court order, or in connection with criminal activity or emergency reporting.
  • Public safety
    PHI may be disclosed when necessary to prevent or lessen a serious, imminent threat to the health or safety of a person or the public.

Written authorization required

Disclosures that require your written consent

Any use or disclosure not described above — or not otherwise permitted by law — will only be made with your written authorization, which may be revoked at any time.

  • Most uses of psychotherapy notes (kept separately from your general medical record)
  • Uses of PHI for marketing purposes, including subsidized treatment communications
  • Disclosures that constitute a sale of PHI
  • Any other uses or disclosures not described in this Notice

Questions about this policy? Please contact Dr. Maxwell directly at annepmaxwell1@gmail.com