Privacy Practices

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

Uses and Disclosures
You have a right to know how we use the health information about you as a client of Catholic Social Services. We may use your health information for treatment to obtain payment for treatment, for administrative purposes, and to evaluate the quality of care received from our agency. In addition, Catholic Social Services may be required to disclose information to comply with state or federal laws. Examples include, but are not limited to, report of abuse to a minor, court orders, or imminent danger to yourself or others. However, generally we will ask for your written authorization before using or disclosing identifiable health information about you.

Special Protections: Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Records
Information related to substance use disorder treatment is protected by federal law under 42 CFR Part 2, which provides more stringent confidentiality protections than HIPAA. In some circumstances, Catholic Social Services may receive records that are subject to 42 CFR Part 2. When we receive such records, they may not be disclosed for law enforcement purposes or used in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings without your specific written consent or a court order that meets the requirements of federal law.

Your Rights
You have a right to inspect and request your protected health information. However, under law you may not necessarily have copies of the following records including, but not limited to, psychotherapy and psychiatric progress notes. You have the right to request a restriction of your protected health information. You have a right to request your protected health information be amended. You have a right to receive an accounting of certain disclosures of your protected health information.  Any of the above requests must be made in writing using a Release of Information form with reasonable time to respond/compile the information.

Our Duties
We are required by law to protect the privacy of your information, provide you with this notice, and follow the information practices as described. Catholic Social Services also reserves the right to amend its policies regarding these matters and will maintain a current copy. You can also request a copy of our notices at any time.

Concerns
If you have questions or concerns about your privacy practices, please contact us. You may also send a written complaint to the US Department of Health and Human Services. We support your right to the privacy of your health information.

CSS Director of Human Resources and Security Officer, 605-348-6086