THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT MAY USE AND/OR DISCLOSE MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU, AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION, PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

The Christian County Health Departments’ (CCHD) mission is to protect and promote the health of the population of Christian County, Missouri. To accomplish this mission, Missouri has enacted a number of state laws and/or rules that require reporting of individually identifiable protected health information (PHI) to the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). DHSS continuously assesses the health of the population by evaluating this and other health information. These laws also detail what data are confidential, under what circumstances the data may be disclosed, and penalties for inappropriate disclosures. CCHD staff and their associates are mandated to comply with these laws.

CCHD may disclose public health related individually identifiable health information to health care providers to carry out treatment, payment or health care operations. This information will only be shared with health care providers that have signed an agreement with CCHD. It will not be used for any other purpose except in an aggregate form, without specific written consent of the individual or their parent or guardian if a minor. The confidentiality of the information will be maintained as required by applicable state and federal laws. An example of these types of disclosures would be sharing of your infant’s heel blood test with the health care provider you visit for medical care. The results would only be disclosed to appropriate health care providers and not the general public or merchants that have a product they wish to sell you.

The CCHD may contact individuals to provide appointment reminders or information about health-related benefits and services that may be of interest. CCHD may also disclose protected health information to other state or federal agencies such as Medicaid that provide funds for health care benefits an individual receives.

Under 45 CFR 160-164, individuals have the right to:

· Request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures, however CCHD is not required to agree to a requested restriction. If disclosure is required by state or federal law, the consent of the individual is not required and disclosure will be made accordingly.

· Inspect and receive a copy of their health care information.

· Review and amend or update their health care information if inaccurate.

· Receive an accounting of disclosures.

· Receive confidential communications of protected health information.

· Receive a paper copy of this notice.

CCHD reserves the right to change its privacy practices described in this notice. The revised privacy practices will be effective for all PHI maintained by CCHD. Individuals may access and print a copy of the current policies at www.christiancountyhealth.com or request a printed copy from CCHD.

Individuals may complain about privacy issues to CCHD if they believe their privacy right have been violated. Complaints may be filed with CCHD by mail, telephone or face-to-face. Complaints will not result in retaliatory actions by CCHD against the individual.

For further information about these practices, contact the CCHD Privacy/Security Officer at 417-581-7285. This notice is effective April 14, 2003.