NYC Counseling – Notice of Privacy Practices
Effective Date: September 8, 2019
NYC Counseling PLLC 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), applicable New York State privacy laws, and other governing regulations. 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:
Treatment
To provide, coordinate, or manage your mental health care and related services. This may include sharing information with other healthcare providers involved in your care.
Payment
To obtain payment for services rendered, including billing insurance companies, verifying benefits, processing payments, or collecting outstanding balances.
Healthcare Operations
For practice operations such as quality assessment, staff training, licensing, credentialing, audits, and internal administrative functions necessary to operate the practice and improve services.
Appointment Reminders and Follow-Up
We may contact you via phone, email, or text message to remind you of upcoming appointments or provide important administrative updates related to your care. By voluntarily providing a mobile phone number to NYC Counseling PLLC, you consent to receive non-marketing text message communications related to scheduling, billing, administrative matters, and practice operations. Text messaging is not required to receive services, and alternative communication methods are available upon request.
Family, Friends, or Caregivers
With your permission, we may share relevant information with individuals involved in your care or payment for your care.
As Required by Law
We may disclose PHI when required to do so by federal, state, or local law.
Special Situations Where Disclosure May Be Required
We may disclose PHI without your written authorization in certain circumstances, including but not limited to:
- Public health reporting (such as reporting communicable diseases).
- Threats to health or safety where there is an imminent risk of serious harm to you or others.
- Reporting child abuse, elder abuse, or dependent adult abuse as mandated by law.
- Judicial or administrative proceedings in response to a valid subpoena, court order, or lawful process.
- 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 authorization:
- Marketing purposes
- Sale of health information
- Use or disclosure of psychotherapy notes beyond treatment, payment, or healthcare operations
You may revoke an authorization at any time in writing, except to the extent action has already been taken in reliance on it.
Electronic Communications and Mobile Information
NYC Counseling PLLC does not sell, rent, trade, or otherwise disclose personal information, including mobile opt-in data, to third parties for marketing, advertising, or commercial purposes. Personal information is used solely for treatment, payment, healthcare operations, administrative functions, and other purposes permitted or required by applicable federal and New York State law.
NYC Counseling PLLC does not share text messaging opt-in information, consent records, or mobile phone numbers with third parties, except as required by law or as necessary to provide authorized services through secure communication platforms utilized by the practice.
Text Message Opt-Out
You may opt out of receiving text messages from NYC Counseling PLLC at any time by replying “STOP” to any text message you receive from us. After opting out, you will no longer receive text communications, except where a confirmation message is required to process your request.
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 in paper or electronic form. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee as permitted by law.
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 restrictions on how your PHI is used or disclosed. We are not required to agree to all requests.
Right to Request Confidential Communications
You may request that we communicate with you in a specific way or at a specific location, such as by email only or at a particular phone number.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You may request a list of disclosures of your PHI made for purposes other than treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
Right to Receive a Paper Copy
You have the right to receive a paper copy of this Notice, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically.
Safeguards
We use administrative, physical, and technical safeguards, including secure electronic systems, encrypted communication tools where appropriate, and workforce training, to protect your PHI against unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.
Breach Notification
In the event of a breach of unsecured PHI, we will notify you as required by applicable law.
Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to change the terms of this Notice at any time. Any changes will apply to all PHI we maintain and will be posted on our website and available upon request.
Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with NYC Counseling PLLC or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Filing a complaint will not affect the care you receive.
Privacy Officer
NYC Counseling
220 5th Ave, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Phone: 212-777-6922
Email: info@nyccounseling.com
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Notice or how your health information may be used or disclosed, please contact our Privacy Officer at info@nyccounseling.com.