This notice describes how information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can gain access to this information.
Please review it carefully.

NOTICE OF INFORMATION PRACTICES

Medical Associates of Monroe County may use and disclose protected health information for treatment, payment and healthcare operations. Examples of these include, but are not limited to, requested life insurance or sports physicals, referral to nursing homes; foster care homes, home health agencies and/or referral to other providers for treatment. Payment examples include, but are not limited to, insurance companies for claims including coordination of benefits with other insurers; collection agencies. Healthcare operations include, but are not limited to, internal quality control and assurance including auditing of records.

Medical Associates of Monroe County is permitted or required to use or disclose protected health information without the individuals written consent or authorization in certain circumstances. Two examples of such are for public health requirements or court orders.

Medical Associates of Monroe County will not make any other use or disclosure of a patient’s protected health information without the individual’s written authorization. Such authorization may be revoked at any time. Revocation must be written.

Medical Associates of Monroe County may at times contact the patient to provide appointment reminders or information regarding treatment alternatives or other health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to the individual patient.

Medical Associates of Monroe County will abide by the terms of this notice or the notice currently in effect at the time of the disclosure.

Medical Associates of Monroe County reserves the right to change the terms of its notice and to make new notice provisions effective for all protected health information of the patient. Copies may also be obtained at any time at our office.

Any person/patient may file a complaint to the Practice and to the Secretary of Health and Human Services if they believe their privacy rights have been violated. To file a complaint with the practice, please contact the Privacy Officer at the following address and telephone number: 239 East Brown Street East Stroudsburg, PA, 570 421-3872.
All complaints will be addressed and the results will be reported to the Board of Directors.

It is Medical Associates of Monroe County’s policy that no retaliatory action will be made against any individual who submits or conveys a complaint of suspected or actual non-compliance of privacy standards.

The effective date of this policy is April 14, 2003.