Privacy Policy

This notice applies to NJ Cardiovascular Institute and all of its office locations. It describes how we may use and share your health information, your rights regarding that information, and our responsibilities to protect it. If you have questions, please contact our Privacy Officer using the information at the end of this notice.

Our Responsibilities

• We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
• We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
• We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and give you a copy of it.
• We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing. If you tell us we can, you may change your mind at any time by letting us know in writing.

How We Use and Share Your Health Information

Treatment

We use your health information and share it with other professionals who are treating you. For example, we may share your echocardiogram results with your primary care physician or with a specialist to whom you are referred.

Payment

We use and share your information to bill and get payment from health plans or other entities. For example, we give information about you to your health insurance plan so it will pay for your stress test.

Health Care Operations

We use and share your information to run our practice, improve your care, and contact you when necessary. For example, we review records to evaluate the quality of our care and to train staff.

Appointment Reminders and Care Communications

We may contact you by phone, text message, mail, or email to remind you of appointments or to share information about your care or treatment options.

Business Associates

We may share information with companies that perform services for us, such as billing, information technology, and record storage. They must sign a written agreement to protect your information.

Health Information Exchange

We may share your information electronically with other providers involved in your care, including through health information exchanges, to support coordinated treatment.

Family and Friends

Unless you object, we may share information with a family member, friend, or other person involved in your care or in paying for your care, and we may share information in a disaster relief situation. If you are unable to tell us your preference, for example if you are unconscious, we may share information if we believe it is in your best interest.

Other Ways We May Use or Share Your Information

The law allows or requires us to share your information in other ways, usually to contribute to the public good. We must meet the conditions set by law before we can share your information for these purposes.

• Public Health and Safety. To prevent disease, report adverse reactions to medications or problems with medical devices, report suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence, and prevent or reduce a serious threat to anyone's health or safety.
• Health Oversight. To agencies for activities authorized by law, such as audits, investigations, inspections, and licensure.
• Research. In limited circumstances permitted by federal law.
• As Required by Law. When state or federal law requires it, including to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if it wants to confirm that we are complying with federal privacy law.
• Lawsuits and Legal Actions. In response to a court or administrative order, or to a subpoena when legal requirements are met.
• Law Enforcement. For law enforcement purposes, as permitted by law.
• Coroners, Medical Examiners, and Funeral Directors. When an individual dies.
• Organ and Tissue Donation. With organ procurement organizations.
• Workers' Compensation. For workers' compensation claims or similar programs.
• Special Government Functions. For military, national security, and presidential protective services, and for correctional institutions, as authorized by law.

Information With Special Protection

New Jersey Law

New Jersey gives extra protection to certain information, including information about HIV/AIDS, genetic testing, certain sexually transmitted diseases, and some mental health and substance use treatment. Where these laws are stricter than federal law, we follow them, which may mean we ask for your specific written consent before sharing this information.

Substance Use Disorder Treatment Records

If we receive records about you from a substance use disorder treatment program covered by federal law (42 CFR Part 2), we will use and share those records only as permitted by that law and by the consent you signed.

These records, and testimony about their content, will not be used or shared in any civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceeding against you unless you give written consent or a court orders it after you, or the holder of the record, have been given notice and an opportunity to be heard.

If we ever use these records for fundraising, we will first give you a clear and conspicuous opportunity to opt out of fundraising communications.

Redisclosure

When we share your information as permitted by law, the person or organization that receives it may share it again, and it may no longer be protected by federal privacy law.

Uses That Require Your Written Permission

We will not do the following without your written authorization: use or share psychotherapy notes (in most cases), use your information for marketing, or sell your information.

Any other use or sharing not described in this notice will be made only with your written authorization, which you may revoke in writing at any time, except to the extent we have already acted on it.

Your Rights

Get a Copy of Your Medical Record

You can ask to see or get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other health information we have about you. We will provide a copy or a summary, usually within 30 days of your request. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee as permitted by federal and New Jersey law.

Ask Us to Correct Your Record

You can ask us to correct health information about you that you think is incorrect or incomplete. We may say no, but we will tell you why in writing within 60 days.

Request Confidential Communications

You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example, a home or office phone) or to send mail to a different address. We will say yes to all reasonable requests.

Ask Us to Limit What We Use or Share

You can ask us not to use or share certain health information for treatment, payment, or our operations. We are not required to agree, and we may say no if it would affect your care.

If you pay for a service or health care item out of pocket in full, you can ask us not to share that information with your health insurer for payment or our operations, and we will say yes unless a law requires us to share it.

Get a List of Those With Whom We Have Shared Information

You can ask for a list (accounting) of the times we have shared your health information for six years before the date you ask, who we shared it with, and why.

The list will not include disclosures for treatment, payment, health care operations, and certain other disclosures (such as any you asked us to make). We will provide one list a year for free but may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee if you ask for another within 12 months.

Get a Copy of This Notice

You can ask for a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically.

Choose Someone to Act for You

If you have given someone medical power of attorney or if someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information.

File a Complaint

If you feel your rights have been violated, you can complain to us by contacting our Privacy Officer, or to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights.

You can contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights by:

• Mail: 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201
• Phone: 1-800-368-1019
• Online: HHS HIPAA Complaint Portal

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 new notice will be available upon request, in our offices, and on our website.

Contact Us

Questions or Requests