Your Rights

When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. You may:

1. Get a copy of your health and claims records.
   • You may ask to see or get a copy of your health and claims records and other health information that we have about you.
   • We will provide a copy or a summary of your health and claims records usually within 30 days of your request.
   • We may charge a fee to cover the costs of copying, packaging or mailing the information.
   • Please contact your program manager to make a request.
2. Ask us to correct health and claims records.
   • You may ask us to correct your electronic and paper health and claims records if you think there is an error or if it is incomplete.
   • We may say “no” to your request, but we will give you a reason in writing within 60 days.
3. Request confidential communications.
   • You may ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example: by cell or by office phone) or to send mail to a different address.
   • We aren’t required to agree to your request. We will consider all reasonable requests.
   • If you will be in danger if we don’t use the alternative contact information, we will agree with the request.
4. Ask us to limit what we use or share.
   • You may ask us not to use or share certain health information for treatment, payment or our operations.
   • We aren’t required to agree to your request. We will consider all reasonable requests.
   • If you will be in danger if we don’t use the alternative contact information, we will agree with the request.
5. Know how we have shared your information.
   • You may ask for a list of times that we have shared your health information, including who we shared it with and why we shared it. This list only covers information shared in the six years before the request date.
   • We will include all health information disclosures except for those about payment and health care operations, as well as certain other disclosures (such as any disclosures we made to you).
6. Choose someone to act for you.
   • If you want, you may give someone the right to act for you (examples: legal guardian, authorized representative, power of attorney and more). That person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information. That person must show written proof that they have the right to act for you.
   • We will make sure the person has the proper authority and can act for you before we honor their request for your health information. We may ask the person to verify their identity (examples: driver’s license, state ID, court order, passport).
7. File a complaint if you feel your rights are violated.

   There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint.

   • You may file a complaint with Texas Health and Human Services Commission by calling 2-1-1 or 877-541-7905 (toll-free). If you are hearing or speech impaired, you may call 7-1-1 or 800-735-2989 (TTY).
   • Click here to contact Consumer Rights and Services or call 1-800-458-9858.

Your Choices

For certain health information, you can tell us your choices about what we share. If you have a clear preference for how we share your information in the situations described below, tell us.

You have both the right and choice to tell us to:

• Share information with your family, close friends or others involved in payment for your care.
• Share information in a disaster relief situation.

Our Uses and Disclosures

How do we use or share your health information? Amandole HCS can:

1. Help manage the health care treatment you receive.

   We may use your health information and share it with professionals who are treating you.

   Additional privacy protection under state and federal law apply to substance abuse information, mental health information, certain disease-related information, or genetic information. We will not use or share these types of information unless expressly authorized by law. We will not use or disclose genetic information for underwriting purposes. Example: A doctor sends us information about your diagnosis and treatment plan so we can arrange additional services.

2. Run our organization.

   We may use and disclose your information to run our organization and contact you when necessary.
   Example: We use health information about you to develop better services for you.

3. Pay for your health services.

   We may use and disclose your health information to pay for your health services.
   Example: We may share information about you with your health care provider to coordinate payment for health services.

4. Manage your plan.

   We may disclose your health information for health plan (CHIP, Medicaid or other government health program) administration.
   Example: We may share information about you with our contracted health plans to better manage your plan.

How else can we use or share your health information?

We are allowed or required to share your information in other ways — usually in ways that contribute to the public good, such as public health and research. We have to meet many conditions in the law before we can share your information for these purposes. For more information: http://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/index.html.

Your information will be shared for Authorized Purposes only or  to Comply with the law.

Our Responsibilities

1. We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
2. We must let you know quickly if a breach occurs that might have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
3. We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice.
4. We must not use or share your information other than as described here, unless you tell us in writing we can. You may change your mind at any time. You must let us know in writing, if you change your mind.

For more information about HIPAA:
www.hhs.gov/hipaa/index.html

For more information about Texas Medical Records Privacy Act:
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.181.htm

For more information about Texas Identity Theft Enforcement and Protection Act:
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/BC/htm/BC.521.htm