At Silk Plastic Surgery, we are committed to protecting your health information privacy and maintaining the confidentiality of your medical records. This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how we may use and disclose your protected health information (PHI) in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other applicable privacy laws.
We understand that your plastic surgery journey involves sensitive personal information, and we take our responsibility to protect your privacy seriously.
Dr. Page is an excellent surgeon who showed me so much patience and personal care throughout multiple reconstruction and revision surgeries. She and Dr. McKay collaborated on one surgery, both are amazing. My results are great so I would choose this practice again. Her staff are top notch and always answered any questions promptly. I’m convinced that I got the very best care from Dr. Page.
Your Protected Health Information Rights
Under HIPAA, you have important rights regarding your health information that we maintain in our plastic surgery practice:
Access and Review Rights:
Medical Record Access
You have the right to inspect and obtain copies of your health information
Amendment Requests
You may request corrections to your health information if you believe it is incorrect
Disclosure Accounting
You can request a list of disclosures we have made of your health information
Restriction Requests
You may ask us to limit how we use or share your health information
Communication Preferences:
- Confidential Communications: You can request that we communicate with you in a specific way or location
- Contact Method Control: Choose how and where we contact you about appointments and treatment
- Privacy Protection: Request restrictions on who may receive information about your care
How We Use Your Health Information for Treatment
We use your protected health information to provide, coordinate, and manage your plastic surgery care and related services.
Treatment Purposes: Your health information is used to plan your surgical procedures, coordinate pre-operative and post-operative care, and ensure optimal outcomes. This includes sharing information among our surgical team, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare providers involved in your care.
Care Coordination: We may share your information with other healthcare providers, laboratories, and specialists involved in your treatment to ensure comprehensive, coordinated care throughout your plastic surgery journey.
Health Information for Payment and Operations
Payment Processing: We use and disclose your health information to obtain payment for services provided, including submitting claims to insurance companies, verifying coverage, and processing payments for your plastic surgery procedures.
Healthcare Operations: Your information may be used for quality improvement activities, staff training, patient safety initiatives, and other operations necessary to run our plastic surgery practice effectively and safely.
Business Associate Agreements: We may share your information with business partners who help us operate our practice, such as billing companies, IT support services, and medical equipment vendors, all of whom are required to protect your privacy.
Permitted Disclosures Without Authorization
We may use or disclose your health information without your written authorization in certain limited circumstances:
Public Health and Safety:
Public Health Activities
Reporting communicable diseases or other health threats to public health authorities
Safety Concerns
Disclosures necessary to prevent serious harm to you or others
Legal Requirements
Complying with court orders, subpoenas, or other legal processes
Law Enforcement
Providing information required by law enforcement agencies in specific circumstances
Healthcare Oversight:
- Quality Assurance: Reporting to medical boards or other oversight agencies when required
- Fraud Prevention: Cooperating with healthcare fraud investigations
- Accreditation Reviews: Providing information for facility accreditation and licensing
Marketing and Communications Restrictions
We respect your privacy regarding marketing communications and maintain strict policies about how your information may be used for promotional purposes.
Marketing Limitations:
- No Sale of Information: We do not sell your health information to third parties
- Limited Marketing Use: Marketing communications require your written authorization
- Opt-Out Options: You can request to be removed from marketing communications
- Fundraising Restrictions: Any fundraising communications include opt-out instructions
Photography and Before/After Images
Plastic surgery often involves photographic documentation for medical records and potential marketing purposes, and we maintain special protections for these sensitive images.
Photographic Consent:
Separate Authorization
Photography for marketing purposes requires specific written consent
Medical Documentation
Photos for medical records are covered under treatment authorization
Usage Rights
You control how your images may be used beyond medical documentation
Anonymity Options
We can use images without identifying information when possible
Patient Rights and Complaint Procedures
You have the right to file a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated, and we encourage open communication about any privacy concerns.
Complaint Process:
- Internal Complaints: Contact our Privacy Officer to discuss concerns or file complaints
- External Reporting: You may file complaints with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- No Retaliation: We will not retaliate against you for filing a privacy complaint
- Resolution Process: We investigate all complaints promptly and implement corrective actions when needed
Information Security and Data Protection
We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your health information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.
Security Measures:
- Electronic Safeguards: Secure computer systems with access controls and encryption
- Physical Security: Locked filing systems and restricted access to patient areas
- Administrative Controls: Staff training and policies governing information handling
- Regular Auditing: Ongoing monitoring of access and security protocols
Changes to Privacy Practices
We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and make new provisions effective for all health information we maintain, including information created or received before the changes.
Notification Process:
- Posted Notices: Updated privacy notices will be posted in our office and on our website
- Effective Dates: Changes become effective on the date specified in the revised notice
- Patient Notification: We will provide you with a copy of any revised privacy notice
- Grandfathering: Previous authorizations remain valid unless specifically revoked
Contact Information for Privacy Concerns
If you have questions about this privacy notice, need additional information about our privacy practices, or wish to file a complaint, please contact our Privacy Officer..
Privacy Officer Contact: Our designated Privacy Officer is available to address your privacy concerns, explain our practices, and assist with requests regarding your health information rights.
Your Atlanta Plastic Surgery Privacy Protection
At Silk Plastic Surgery, protecting your privacy is fundamental to the trust you place in us for your aesthetic and reconstructive care. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality while providing exceptional plastic surgery services in Atlanta.
Contact our practice today if you have questions about our privacy practices or need assistance with your health information rights.