HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT (HIPAA)
Learn about how your information is used and protected.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a law created by Congress in 1996. This law put processes in place to facilitate the exchange of information and give people easier access to health information. The Privacy Rule became effective in April 2003 and created the standards for protecting health information.
The state of Florida also has its own privacy laws and protections, and, where applicable, the rule with the higher standard will apply.
These rules prevent the unauthorized use or disclosure of health information without an individual’s written permission. It also grants individuals access to medical and billing records, allows them to request amendments to those records, and permits requests for a report of all disclosures made.
To this end, Miracle of Love Inc. (MOL) provides every service recipient with a copy of the Notice of Privacy Practices and makes all versions available on our website.
Protected Health Information (PHI) is defined as:
“any health information created or received by a health care provider that: (1) identifies an individual; and (2) relates to that individual’s past, present, or future physical or mental health condition or to payment for health care.”
Furthermore, PHI includes:
“any information in any form or medium, from a paper medical record to a conversation between colleagues consulting on the care of a patient.”
The Notice of Privacy Practices explains the ways MOL is allowed to use a person’s protected health information and outlines their rights as it pertains to that information.
An Authorization to Disclose Confidential Information is a document signed by the client that gives the health care provider permission to disclose PHI to entities or individuals specified by the client.
This document is not required for:
- Treatment of the client
- Payment of or billing for services
- Health care operations (Quality Assurance, Improvement, Audits, Compliance Monitoring)
PHI can also be released to client caregivers, like family members, but only if the client expressly agrees or impliedly consents.
Certain disclosure may be made by a health care provider without client authorization to accomplish public health activities and other permitted uses as set forth in the Privacy Rule.
Questions about MOL Privacy Practices can be answered by the person providing services at MOL, a member of Administration or Management, or to the Quality Management department at (407) 843-1760 extension 201.
If you believe that your privacy rights have been violated by an MOL employee, you may file a complaint with the Quality Management department at 1301 W Colonial Drive Suite 201, Orlando, FL 32804 | Telephone (407) 843-1760 extension 201, or with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201 | Telephone (202) 619-0257 or toll free at (877) 696-6775.
The complaint must be in writing, describe the acts or omissions that you believe violate your privacy rights, and be filed within 180 days of when you knew or should have known that the act or omission occurred. MOL will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Notice of Privacy Practices 2024 | Español / Spanish
Authorization to Disclose Confidential Information 2024
Request to Amend Protected Health Information
Resources from Florida Department of Health
HIPAA and Disease Reporting Requirements
References
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act—Florida Department of Health. (2024, November 15). https://www.floridahealth.gov/about-us/resources/health-insurance-portability-and-accountability-act/