PLEASE REVIEW THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY.
Alam Podiatry, PC is required by law to maintain the privacy of your Protected Health Information (PHI), to provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, and to notify you immediately if a breach of your unsecured health information occurs.
1. How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information
We typically use or disclose your health information for the following purposes:
A. Treatment
We use your health information to provide, coordinate, or manage your care. We may share it with other healthcare professionals who are involved in your treatment.
Example: Our surgical team may share your X-rays or diagnostic notes with your Primary Care Physician or a vascular specialist to ensure a safe and effective treatment plan.
B. Payment
We use and disclose your PHI so that the services you receive may be billed to, and payment may be collected from, you, an insurance company, or a third party.
Example: We provide details regarding your surgical procedure to your insurance carrier so they may process the claim and pay for your care.
C. Health Care Operations
We use your information to run our practice, improve your quality of care, and conduct necessary administrative activities.
Example: We may use your information to evaluate the performance of our staff or to ensure our clinics maintain the highest standards of safety and hygiene.
D. Business Associates
We may share PHI with third-party "Business Associates" (e.g., electronic health record providers, billing companies) that perform functions on our behalf. All Business Associates are legally required to sign contracts promising to protect the privacy of your information.
2. Special Privacy Protections (NY State & Federal Updates)
Certain types of information are subject to stricter laws than standard HIPAA rules.
A. New York State Protections
Where New York law is more stringent than federal law, we will follow the stricter state guidelines. This typically applies to:
- HIV/AIDS-related information.
- Mental health records.
- Genetic testing results.
B. Substance Use Disorder Records (42 CFR Part 2)
In compliance with the 2026 federal updates, any records we receive regarding substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis or treatment are protected by 42 CFR Part 2. We generally may not disclose information identifying you as having a substance use disorder unless you provide written consent, a court order is issued, or there is a medical emergency.
3. Other Permitted Disclosures
We are allowed or required to share your information in ways that contribute to the public good, such as:
- Public Health: Reporting adverse reactions to medications, preventing disease outbreaks, or reporting suspected abuse/neglect.
- Compliance: Sharing data with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to prove our compliance with federal law.
- Legal Actions: Responding to a court order, administrative order, or a lawful subpoena.
- Threat to Safety: To prevent a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a person or the public.
4. Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
- Right to Inspect and Electronic Access: You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your medical records. Pursuant to the Cures Act, if you request an electronic copy (e.g., PDF), we will provide it in the format requested if it is readily producible. We will provide this within 30 days. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
- Right to Amend: If you feel that the health information we have is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask us to amend the information. We may deny your request if we believe the information is accurate, but we will provide a written explanation within 60 days.
- Right to Request Confidential Communications: You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (e.g., "call my mobile number only" or "send mail to a P.O. Box"). We will accommodate all reasonable requests.
- Right to Request Restrictions: You can ask us not to use or share certain PHI for treatment, payment, or operations. We are not required to agree, and we may say "no" if it would affect your care.
- Out-of-Pocket Exception: If you pay for a service in full out-of-pocket, you may request that we do not share that information with your health insurer. We must honor this request.
- Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You can request a list of the times we have shared your health information for the six years prior to your request, including who we shared it with and why.
5. Our Responsibilities
- We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
- We will notify you promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
- We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you provide written authorization. You may revoke such authorization at any time (Revocation of Consent).
6. Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint without fear of retaliation.
- To file a complaint with Alam Podiatry: Submit a written complaint to our Privacy Officer at the address below.
- To file with HHS: Visit www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/.
7. Contact Information
For questions regarding your privacy, to exercise your rights, or to file a formal complaint, please contact:
Alam Podiatry, PCAttn: Privacy Officer
166-05 Highland Ave, Suite L1
Jamaica, NY 11432
Phone: (347) 509-4470
Email: info@alampodiatry.com (Subject: HIPAA Privacy Concern)
This notice remains in effect until replaced. Alam Podiatry, PC reserves the right to change the terms of this notice.