Baltimore Mental Health Systems, Inc.
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.
Understanding your Medical record
A record is made each time you visit a hospital, physician, or other health care provider. Your symptoms, examinations and test results, diagnoses, treatment, and a plan for future care are recorded. This information is most often referred to as your “medical record,” and serves as a basis for planning your health care and treatment. It also serves as a means of communication among health professionals who may contribute to your care. It is important that you understand what information is retained in your record, to ensure its accuracy. It is also important to know who, what, when, where, and why others may be allowed access to your health information. This notice has been created to assist you in making informed decisions before authorizing the Baltimore Mental Health Systems, Inc. to disclose your medical information to others. Use or disclosure of your health information will follow Maryland law and/or Federal laws.
Understanding your rights
Your medical record is the physical property of the health care provider or facility that compiled it but the content is about you, and therefore belongs to you. Federal law gives you the following rights to:
Request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your health information
Request amendments be made to your medical record. BMHS reserves the right to deny the request if the medical record was not created by our agency.
Review or obtain a paper copy of your health information. There will be no charge for the copy.
Request to be given an account of all disclosures of your health information made by BMHS after April 14, 2003. Exceptions include disclosures made for treatment, payment, and operations.
Request to receive your health information by alternative means or sent to alternative addresses.
Revoke any future authorizations to use or disclose your health information.
Receive a paper copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices and/or an electronic copy by email upon request.
Our responsibilities
Baltimore Mental Health Systems, Inc. (BMHS) is required to maintain the privacy of your health information and to provide you with notice of our legal commitment and privacy practices with respect to the information we collect and maintain about you. This agency is required to abide by the terms of this notice and to notify you if we are unable to grant your requested restrictions or reasonable desires to communicate your health information by alternative means or to alternative locations.
BMHS reserves the right to change its policies and practices to enhance the privacy standards of all patient medical information. If applicable, BMHS will post policy changes on our web site and provide information about our customer service. Other than for reasons described in this notice, BMHS agrees not to use or disclose your health information without your authorization.
BMHS will use and disclose your health information for the purpose of treatment payment and operations spelled out below:
Treatment - Information obtained by BMHS will be recorded in your medical record and used to assist in the coordination of services for you. BMHS may use or share your information to approve or deny payment for mental health services or treatment. The sharing of your health information may progress to others involved in your care, such local pharmacies and mental health providers.
Payment- Your health care information will be used in order to process payments for services rendered by health providers contracting with BMHS. For example, a bill may be received from a third-party with accompanying documentation that identifies you, your diagnosis, procedures performed, and supplies used. BMHS will use this information to issue payment for those services.
Health Care Operations - The staff in this office will use your health information to evaluate the care you received from public mental health system providers contracting with BMHS or Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. We may also use it while reviewing the performance of providers who contract with our agency to deliver services. Your information may be reviewed for risk management or quality improvement purposes in our efforts to continually improve the quality and effectiveness of the care and services we provide.
Business Associates - Some or all of your health information may be subject to disclosure through contracts for services to assist this office in managing local mental health services. For example, it may be necessary to obtain specialized assistance to conduct data analysis, create databases with health information. To protect your health information, we require these business Associates to follow the same standards held by BMHS through terms detailed in a written agreement.
Other Uses and Disclosures of Health Information Required or Allowed by law:
Notification - Unless you provide us with other instructions, BMHS may send appointment reminders and other materials to your home.
Communications with Family - Using best judgment, a family member, or close personal friend identified by you, may be given information relevant to your care and/or recovery.
Required by Law- BMHS may disclose health information as required by law.
Avert a Threat to Health or Safety- In order to avoid a serious threat to health or safety, BMHS may disclose information to law enforcement or other persons who can reasonably prevent or lessen the threat of harm
Abuse and Neglect- BMHS may disclose health information to appropriate authorities if we reasonably believe that you are a possible victim of abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or some other crime.
Marketing - This office reserves the right to contact you with appointment reminders or information about treatment alternatives and other health-related benefits that may be appropriate to you.
Research- Your information will be disclosed to researchers upon Institutional Review Board approval, and upon the assurance that established protocol to ensure the privacy of your health information has been obtained.
Worker's Compensation - This office will release information to the extent authorized by law in matters of worker's compensation.
Public Health Activities- This office is required by law to disclose health information to public health and/or legal authorities charged with tracking reports of birth and morbidity. This office is further required by law to report communicable disease, injury, or disability.
Lawsuits, Disputes, Claims - BMHS may disclose your health information in response to a court or administrative order, subpoena, discovery request, investigation of a claim filed on your behalf or other lawful purpose.
Law Enforcement - (1) Your health information will be disclosed for law enforcement purposes as required under Maryland law or in response to a valid subpoena. (2) Provisions of federal law permit the disclosure of your health information to appropriate health oversight agencies, public health authorities, or attorneys in the event that a staff member or business associated of this office believes in good faith that there has been unlawful conduct or violations or professional or clinical standards that may endanger one or more patients, workers, or the general public.
To receive additional information
For further explanation of this notice you may contact BMHS’ HIPPA Officer at (410) 837-2647.
To Report a Problem about our Privacy Practices:
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you have the right to file a complaint with this office by contacting the individual above, or by contacting the Secretary of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with no fear of retaliation by our staff. You may receive contact information by calling our office at the number above.
Effective April 5, 2003