Privacy Policy

General Information:

Central Florida Treatment Centers (CFSATC Inc.) uses health information about you for treatment, to obtain payment for treatment, for administrative purposes and to evaluate the quality of care that you receive. Your health information is contained in a clinical record that is the physical property of CFSATC Inc. Information regarding your treatment, including payment for treatment, is protected by two federal laws: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 45, Parts 160 and 164 and CFR 42 Parts I and II. In addition, in Florida, Florida Statute 397 also addresses the issue of confidentiality as it pertains to your treatment information.

Under these laws CFSATC Inc. may not say to a person outside of CFSATC Inc. that you attend the program, nor may we disclose any information identifying you as a patient or disclose any other protected information except as permitted by federal law.

How CFSATC Inc. May Use or Disclose your Health Information:

CFSATC Inc. may use your health information to provide you with appropriate clinical and medical services.  Information collected by a CFSATC Inc. staff, such as a counselor or physician, will be recorded in your clinical chart.  This information is needed to determine what services you may need and receive.  Staff will also record actions taken by them while you are receiving CFSATC Inc. services and will also note how you respond to the actions.  CFSATC Inc. may also use your health information in the following ways:

Payment purposes-CFSATC Inc. may use and disclose your health information to others for the purpose of receiving payment for the services you receive.

Clinical Operations-CFSATC Inc. may use and disclose information about you for operational purposes. For example, your health information may be disclosed to members of the medical staff, risk or quality compliance improvement personnel, funding sources and others to: evaluate the performance of our staff, assess the quality of care provided to you, report outcomes in your case and similar cases, learn how to improve our facilities and services, and determine how to improve the quality and effectiveness of the services that we provide.

Public Health activities-Your health information may be used or disclosed for public health activities such as assisting public health authorities or other legal authorities to prevent or control disease, injury or disability or other health oversight activities.

Research/Evaluation-CFSATC Inc. may use your health information for research and/or program evaluation purposes.

Health and Safety-Your health information may be disclosed to avert a serious threat to the health or safety of you or any other person applicable by law.

Government Functions-Specialized government functions such as protection of public officials or reporting to various branches of the armed services may require use or disclosure of your health information.

Furthermore, Federal law permits CFSATC Inc. to disclose information without your written permission. Examples of when this can be done Include the following:  Pursuant to an agreement with a business associate, for research, audit or program evaluations, to report a crime committed on CFSATC Inc.’s property or against CFSATC Inc. personnel, to medical personnel in a medical emergency, to report suicidal or homicidal ideation, to appropriate authorities to report suspected child and elder abuse or neglect, and as allowed by a court order.  

For example, CFSATC Inc. can disclose information without your consent to obtain legal or financial services, or to another organization to provide services to you, as long as there is a business associate agreement in place.  Before CFSATC Inc. can use or disclose any information about your treatment in a manner which is not described above, it must first obtain your specific written consent allowing it to make the disclosure. Any such written consent may be revoked by you in writing.  ‍

YOUR RIGHTS‍

Under HIPAA, you have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your treatment information as described in 45 CFR, Section 164.522. CFSATC Inc. is not required to agree to any restrictions you request, but if it does agree, then it is bound by that agreement and may not use or disclose any information which you have restricted except as necessary in a medical emergency.

You have the right to request that we communicate with you by alternative means or at an alternative location. CFSATC Inc. will accommodate such requests that are reasonable and will not request an explanation from you.

Under HIPAA you also have the right to inspect and copy your own treatment information maintained by CFSATC Inc., except to the extent that the information contains psychotherapy notes or information compiled for use in a civil, criminal or administrative proceeding or in other limited circumstances and other areas identified in 45 CFR, Section 164.524. This request must be made in writing and you are financially responsible for the copies of the information that you request.

Under HIPAA, you have the right, with some exceptions, to amend health care information maintained in CFSATC Inc. records. This request must be made in writing. CFSATC Inc. may deny your request as outlined in 45 CFR, Section 164.526.

Furthermore, you may request and receive an accounting of disclosures of your health related information as provided in 45 CFR, Section 164.528. Your request must be in writing. You also have the right to receive a paper copy of this notice upon request.‍

CFSATC Inc. DUTIES‍

CFSATC Inc. is required by law to maintain the privacy of your treatment information and to provide you with notice of its legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your treatment information.

CFSATC Inc. is required by law to abide by the terms of this notice. Furthermore, CFSATC Inc. will obtain your written authorization to use or disclose your health information for reasons other than those listed above and permitted under the law.'CFSATC Inc. reserves the right to change the terms of this notice and to make new notice provisions effective for all protected health information it maintains. When a change is made, all of the active patients will receive the revised notice and it will also be posted at each of CFSATC Inc.’s sites.‍

COMPLAINTS AND REPORTING VIOLATIONS    
You may complain to CFSATC Inc. and the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services if you believe that your privacy rights have been violated under HIPAA. CFSATC Inc. has established a process in which you may report violations or complaints related to your privacy rights. A Privacy and Security Officer has been appointed to ensure that CFSATC Inc. is compliant with federal and state laws. You may file a complaint by completing the patient grievance form and forwarding it to the program director. He or she is responsible for forwarding the grievance to the appropriate individuals to resolve.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

65D30.0043(3)(b)6.

You have the right to file a grievance (complaint) either in writing or verbally without fear of reprisal or adverse action. All staff is responsible for helping you with this process. Verbal complaints should be directed to the Program Director for further action. If you choose to put your complaint in writing, Grievance forms can be found in the lobby area. You may complete this form and give it to the Program Director or use the Suggestion Box in the Cashier's area if you choose to file your complaint anonymously. You have the right to expect a written reply to your complaint within one week from the Program Director.  If you do not receive satisfaction from the Program Director, you have the right to appeal to the Regional Director. You have the right to expect a written reply to your complaint within five (5) business days from the Regional Director. If you do not receive satisfaction from the Regional Director, you have the right to appeal to the Executive Director, who has final decision making authority.  You have the right to expect a written reply to your complaint within one week from the Executive Director.  Further, you have the right to appeal to the Department of Children and Families Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Program Office at Circuit 9: 407-317-7010, Circuit 18: 407-317-7010, Circuit 19: 561-227-6675, or Circuit 15: 561-227-6675 for additional assistance.  An additional alternative is the Statewide Local Advocacy Council that may be contacted at 1-800-342-0825.  Finally, any patient has the right to contact our accrediting body, The Joint Commission for grievances or information about our services.  The Joint Commission can be reached at: (630) 792-5000 or online at http://www.jointcommission.org/
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Please contact the Regional Director as the designated Privacy and Security Officer. They can be reached at 321-951-9750 for Central Florida or 561-439-8440 for Southern Florida. The mailing address is: c/o Central Florida Treatment Center, 2198 Harris Avenue, Palm Bay, FL 32905 (Central) 3155 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth Fl. 33461 (Southern).   ‍

THIS PRIVACY NOTICE IS IN EFFECT ON APRIL 14, 2006 AND WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL REVISED