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GAUL
DERMATOLOGY
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
As our patient, you have entrusted your medical
information to our care. We know that your
relationship with us is based on trust, and that you
expect us to act in your best interests. As your
personal medical history is your private information,
we hold ourselves to the highest standards in its
safekeeping. Most importantly, we want you to know
that we do not sell patient information to anyone, nor
is there access to any outside computer or the
internet. We do NOT disclose information about you
without your consent, except as necessary for your
treatment.
You provide personal information to us when you first
schedule an appointment. In addition to the
information you provide to us, we may receive
additional information from other sources, such as
referring doctors or laboratories, in order that we
may be of better service to you.
Personal Information May Include Your --
For your
protection, we do not sell information to third
parties or research companies, nor do we share such
information, except when you have asked us to do so.
In compliance with federal and state privacy laws,
written authorization by the patient or legal
guardian is required before we can release
records.
Patients are allowed to access their own medical
records when requests are in writing. Parents of
patients under age 18 may access information of their
child in writing, and those with durable power of
attorney (POA) may access records on behalf of our
patient by providing a copy of the POA. The patient
can request restrictions and amendments regarding
medical records, and has the option of making
authorization for information or photographs to be
used as teaching aids for other patients or physicians
doing research.
Finally, we will release information about you when
required to do so by law.
Here are some examples:
You may ask us to help you file a claim to your cancer
policy and need a copy of your pathology report.
Again, the patient would have to request this in
writing.
Or you might want copies of your records when applying
to a new insurance company. Again, the patient would
have to request this in writing.
In certain instances, we will share information with a
third party, such as a pharmacy or the
dermatopathologist. We will provide the third party
only information necessary to perform a specific
service, and we expect that they will treat your
private information with the same high degree of
confidentiality that we do.
How We Protect Your Privacy
Online
Our concern for your privacy naturally extends to our
online communication. Your information cannot be
accessed on the Internet. The only data that we
transfer over the Internet is to submit health
insurance claims over a secure server.
Medicare requires that all claims are sent
electronically and will not accept paper claims. We
will not share your personal information online or
give others access to it, except to file your Medicare
insurance and supplement for you.
What You Can Do to be
Informed
We recommend that you contact us if you have any
concerns regarding the privacy of your personal
information. Please visit Carrie Gaul at Gaul
Dermatology, 2004 North Hwy Blvd, Spencer -- or call
us at (712) 262-6906.
A copy of our privacy policy will be available at our
office and on our website
www.gauldermatology.com
Our Commitment To Your
Privacy
Gaul Dermatology will provide treatment and create
records regarding you and therefore may use
information to collect payment for our services and
related items you may receive from us. In addition, we
may use the information to obtain payment from your
insurance companies.
Please rest assured, the
entire staff at Gaul Dermatology will use and disclose
your personal private information in accordance with
professional ethics, accreditation standards and legal
requirements. |
