Notice of Privacy Practices
Effective Date: 10/29/2024
Introduction
This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how WellnessPT Physical Therapy, P.C. (hereafter referred to as “WellnessPT”) collects, uses, discloses, and protects your Protected Health Information (PHI) in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), California’s Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA), and the guidelines set forth by the California Physical Therapy Board (PTBC) and the California Physical Therapy Association (CPTA).
Our Responsibilities
WellnessPT is committed to safeguarding your PHI. As licensed physical therapists in California, we are bound by HIPAA, PTBC, and CPTA guidelines, which impose strict standards on the handling of your health information. We are required by law to:
-
Ensure the confidentiality of your PHI.
-
Notify you if there is any breach of your unsecured PHI.
-
Disclose how and when your information is used and shared as outlined in this notice.
Collection of PHI
We collect PHI in various forms, including but not limited to:
​
-
Information provided directly by you (such as contact details, health history, and billing information).
-
Information obtained during consultations, physical therapy sessions, and other professional interactions.
-
Data from other healthcare providers with whom you have authorized us to communicate.
​
Use and Disclosure of PHI
Your PHI may be used or disclosed in the following ways, as permitted by HIPAA and CMIA:
-
Treatment: We may use and disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare, including sharing information with other healthcare providers when necessary for continuity of care.
-
Payment: We may use and disclose PHI to obtain reimbursement for services, such as billing your insurance provider or other responsible parties.
-
Healthcare Operations: WellnessPT may use PHI for internal administrative activities, quality assurance, training, compliance reviews, and other essential operations that ensure we meet regulatory standards.
-
Legal Requirements: We may disclose PHI when required to comply with federal, state, or local laws, including responses to subpoenas, court orders, or other legal processes.
-
Public Health and Safety: In certain cases, we may disclose PHI to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety or to public health authorities for reasons such as disease prevention and control.
Special Protections Under California Law
Under the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA), your medical information is afforded additional protections. WellnessPT will only disclose PHI in ways that are consistent with CMIA, HIPAA, and PTBC regulations, ensuring that your information is handled with the highest standard of confidentiality as required by state law.
Patient Rights You have the following rights concerning your PHI:
-
Right to Access: You can review and obtain a copy of your PHI.
-
Right to Request Corrections: You may request corrections to your PHI if it is inaccurate or incomplete.
-
Right to Restrict Disclosures: You have the right to request restrictions on how we use or disclose your PHI, though we may not be able to comply with all requests.
-
Right to Confidential Communication: You may request that we communicate with you in a specific manner or at a certain location.
-
Right to a Copy of This Notice: You are entitled to a paper or electronic copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices.
​
​Protection of Your PHI
WellnessPT uses industry-standard security measures to protect your PHI, including physical, administrative, and technical safeguards. All employees undergo regular training to ensure compliance with HIPAA, PTBC, and CMIA guidelines. We will notify you promptly in the event of any breach of your unsecured PHI.
Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to amend this Notice of Privacy Practices at any time, and any revised version will be effective for all PHI we maintain. Updated versions of this notice will be posted on our website, and a copy will be available in our office.
Contact Information If you have questions about this Notice of Privacy Practices, or if you would like to exercise your rights, please contact:
​
WellnessPT Physical Therapy, P.C.
Acknowledgment of Receipt: By using our website or services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Notice of Privacy Practices. ​​