Notice of Privacy Practices

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

This notice applies to SC Medical Hunt CA PC, a California professional corporation doing business as Xcel Men's Wellness & TRT (FNP 561962) (“we,” “us”), and to everyone who works in our practice.

Our duties

• We are required by law to keep your protected health information (“health information”) private, to give you this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, and to follow the notice currently in effect.
• We will tell you promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your health information.
• We will not use or share your health information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing. You may change your mind at any time by telling us in writing.
• California's Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA) and other California laws sometimes give you more protection than federal law. When they do, we follow the stricter law.

How we may use and share your health information

Treatment

We use and share your health information with the providers and staff caring for you, and with labs and pharmacies involved in your care. For example, we send your blood work to a laboratory and share results with your provider.

Payment

We use your health information to bill and collect payment for the services you receive.

Health care operations

We use your health information to run our practice, improve care, train staff, and contact you about appointments. For example, we may send appointment confirmations and reminders by text, phone or email.

Business associates

We share health information with companies that perform services for us, such as our scheduling and records system, database and email providers. They must sign agreements that require them to protect your information.

Other uses and disclosures allowed or required by law

• As required by law, including to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services when it checks our compliance.
• Public health and safety: reporting certain diseases, adverse reactions to medications, and suspected abuse or neglect, and preventing a serious threat to anyone's health or safety.
• Health oversight: audits, inspections and licensing by agencies such as the Medical Board of California.
• Lawsuits and legal actions: in response to a court order, or a subpoena where the law allows.
• Law enforcement: for purposes the law permits, such as identifying a suspect or reporting a crime on our premises.
• Coroners and medical examiners when someone dies.
• Workers' compensation claims, as the law allows.
• Specialized government functions, such as military and national security activities, as the law allows.
• Research, only when the law allows and with required approvals or your authorization.

Family and others involved in your care

Unless you object, we may share relevant information with a family member, friend or other person you identify who is involved in your care or payment for it. If you can't tell us your preference, for example in an emergency, we may share information if we believe it is in your best interest.

Uses that need your written permission

• Marketing communications paid for by a third party.
• Selling your health information.
• Most sharing of psychotherapy notes.
• Any other use or disclosure not described in this notice. California law may also require your written permission for certain sensitive information, such as HIV test results, mental health information, and substance use treatment records.

We do not sell your health information, and we do not use or share it with advertising or analytics companies. You may revoke a written permission at any time in writing, except where we have already acted on it.

Your rights

• Get a copy of your records. You may see or get a paper or electronic copy of your medical and billing records. We'll provide them, usually within 30 days of your request, and may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
• Ask us to correct your records if you think they are wrong or incomplete. We may say no, but we'll tell you why in writing within 60 days.
• Ask for confidential communications, such as contacting you at a different phone number or address. We will agree to reasonable requests.
• Ask us to limit what we use or share. We are not required to agree, except that if you pay for a service in full out of pocket, you may ask us not to share information about it with your health plan, and we will agree unless the law requires us to share it.
• Get a list of those we've shared your information with for six years before your request, with some exceptions (such as treatment, payment and operations). One list a year is free.
• Get a copy of this notice, on paper, at any time, even if you agreed to receive it electronically.
• Choose someone to act for you, such as a legal guardian or someone with medical power of attorney.
• File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated (see below).

To use any of these rights, contact our Privacy Officer (details below). Some requests must be made in writing.

Complaints

You can complain to us by contacting our Privacy Officer. You can also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, 200 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20201, by calling 1-877-696-6775, or at hhs.gov/ocr/complaints. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Changes to this notice

We can change the terms of this notice, and the changes will apply to all information we have about you. The current notice will be available in our office, on request, and on this website, with its effective date at the top.

Privacy Officer