NYC Counseling – Notice of Privacy Practices

Effective Date: September 8, 2019

NYC Counseling values your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal and health information. This Notice describes how we may use and disclose your Protected Health Information (“PHI”) in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), and applicable New York State privacy laws. It also outlines your rights regarding your PHI and how you may exercise them.

How We May Use and Disclose Your Information

We may use and disclose your PHI for the following purposes:

1. Treatment
   To provide, coordinate, or manage your mental health care and related services. For example, sharing information with other healthcare providers involved in your care.
2. Payment
   To obtain payment for services rendered, including billing insurance companies, verifying benefits, or collecting outstanding balances.
3. Healthcare Operations
   For business activities such as quality assessment, staff training, licensing, and internal audits to improve our services.
4. Appointment Reminders and Follow-Up
   We may contact you via phone, email, or text message to remind you of upcoming sessions or provide important updates related to your care.
5. Family, Friends, or Caregivers
   With your permission, we may share relevant information with individuals involved in your care or payment for your care.
6. As Required by Law
   We may disclose information when required by federal, state, or local laws. 

Special Situations Where Disclosure May Be Required

We may disclose PHI without your written authorization in specific circumstances, including but not limited to:

• Public Health Reporting (e.g., reporting communicable diseases).
• Threats to Health or Safety (e.g., if there is an imminent risk of serious harm to you or others).
• Child or Elder Abuse as mandated by law.
• Judicial or Administrative Proceedings in response to a valid subpoena or court order.
• Law Enforcement Purposes as permitted or required by law. 

Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Written Authorization

We will not use or disclose your PHI for the following purposes without your prior written consent:

• Marketing purposes
• Sale of health information
• Use of psychotherapy notes beyond treatment, payment, or healthcare operations
• You may revoke your authorization at any time in writing.

Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

You have the following rights under HIPAA and New York State law:

• Right to Access
  You may request a copy of your health records. We may charge a reasonable fee for copies.
• Right to Amend
  You may request an amendment if you believe your information is incorrect or incomplete.
• Right to Restrict Use or Disclosure
  You may request limitations on how your PHI is used or disclosed, though we are not always required to agree.
• Right to Request Confidential Communications
  You may request that we communicate with you in a specific way (e.g., only by email or only at a certain phone number)
• Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
  You may request a list of disclosures we have made of your PHI for purposes other than treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
• Right to Receive a Paper Copy
  You are entitled to a paper copy of this Notice, even if you agreed to receive it electronically. 

Safeguards

We use administrative, physical, and technical safeguards—including secure electronic systems and staff training—to protect your PHI against unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.

Breach Notification

In the event of a breach of your unsecured PHI, we will notify you as required by law.

Changes to This Notice

We reserve the right to update or change this Notice at any time. Any updates will be posted on our website and available in our office.

Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Filing a complaint will not affect the care you receive.

To file a complaint with NYC Counseling, please contact:
Privacy Officer
NYC Counseling
220 5th Ave, 11th Flr, New York, NY, 10001
212-777-6922
info@nyccounseling.com

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Notice or how your health information may be used, please contact our Privacy Officer at info@nyccounseling.com.