Privacy Policy

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

This notice outlines how your health care information may be used and disclosed, as well as how you can access it. Please read it carefully.

For questions, please reach out to our Privacy Officer: Venkat Reddy Kancherla ARKA Physiotherapy 60 Ave Unit 106, Surrey, BC V3S 0B5, Canada +1 (778) 564-5999

This notice details how our clinic and staff will handle and share your identifiable health information.

YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION

This notice applies to all information and records we maintain related to your health, including written and electronic records, details of your care while you are a patient here, and verbal communications about your medical history, symptoms, exam results, diagnoses, treatments, medications, and billing processes. We are legally required to inform you about our practices and your rights regarding your health information.

HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION

We are authorized to use and disclose your health information for the following purposes:

  • Treatment: We may share your health information with healthcare providers involved in your care to facilitate your treatment. For instance, we may need to communicate with your primary care physician to coordinate your care.
  • Payment: Your health information may be shared with your health plan or insurance company to obtain payment. We may need to provide information about a treatment you are set to receive to verify eligibility and coverage.
  • Health Care Operations: We may use your information to enhance our services and ensure quality care, which includes evaluating staff performance and planning future services.
  • Appointment Reminders: We may call you to remind you of upcoming appointments.
  • Alternative Treatments: We may provide information regarding other treatment options available to you.
  • Health Products and Services: We may share information about health products or services that may interest you. If you prefer not to receive these notices, please inform us in writing at the address above.

OTHER SITUATIONS

Your health information may also be used or disclosed in certain legal circumstances, such as:

  • Protecting Against Serious Threats: We may disclose information if there is a serious and immediate threat to you or others.
  • As Required by Law: We may disclose your health information as required by federal, state, or local laws.
  • Medical Research: Your health information may be used for research purposes, but only with proper authorization.
  • National Security and Intelligence Activities: We may disclose your information to military or national security agencies.
  • Workers’ Compensation: We may disclose information for workers’ compensation purposes.
  • Public Health Risks: We may disclose health information to alert authorities to potential health risks.
  • Health Oversight Activities: We may disclose health information to authorized oversight agencies for audits, investigations, or reviews.
  • Legal Matters: We may disclose your health information in response to a court order or subpoena.
  • Coroners and Medical Examiners: We may share your information with coroners and medical examiners for their investigations.
  • Family and Friends: We may disclose your health information to family or friends involved in your care if we have your oral authorization or can reasonably assume you would not object.

AUTHORIZATION FOR OTHER USES

We do not use or disclose your health information for purposes not outlined above without your specific written authorization. If you agree to such use or disclosure, you can revoke your authorization in writing at any time, but we cannot undo any disclosures already made with your permission.

YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS

You have the following rights concerning your medical records:

  • Right to Inspect and Copy: You can view or obtain photocopies of your medical records. Your request must be in writing, and you may be charged for copies and mailing.
  • Right to Correct: If you believe your health information is inaccurate or incomplete, you can request a correction. Please ask for a correction form, which we will provide.
  • Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You may request a record of disclosures made outside of treatment, payment, or healthcare operations within a specific timeframe.
  • Right to Request Restrictions: You may request limitations on how we use or disclose your health information for treatment and payment. While we are not obligated to agree, we will inform you of our decision.
  • Right to Request Confidential Communications: You can request that we communicate with you in a specific manner or location.
  • Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice: You can request a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have opted to receive it electronically.

CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE

We reserve the right to amend this notice, and any changes will take effect immediately upon posting the new notice in our offices and on our website. We will update the current notice with the effective date.

COMPLAINTS

If you believe your rights regarding the privacy of your health information have been violated, you may file a complaint with our office or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. To file a complaint with our office, please contact ARKA Physiotherapy at +1 (778) 564-5999. You will not face any penalties for filing a complaint.