Notice of Privacy Practices
A. Our Commitment to Patient Privacy
South Florida Arts & Counseling, Inc. (SFAC) is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of patients' health information in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), applicable federal regulations, and Florida law.
SFAC is required by law to maintain the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI), provide patients with notice of its privacy practices and legal duties, and notify affected individuals following a breach of unsecured protected health information when required by law.
SFAC will follow the terms of its Notice of Privacy Practices currently in effect.
B. How Your Health Information May Be Used or Disclosed
SFAC may use or disclose protected health information without additional written authorization when permitted or required by law, including for:
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Treatment: Providing, coordinating, and managing behavioral health and psychiatric services, including communication among treating healthcare professionals.
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Payment: Processing insurance claims, verifying benefits, collecting payments, and conducting related billing activities.
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Healthcare Operations: Conducting quality improvement, clinical supervision, compliance activities, administrative operations, and other permitted healthcare functions.
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Legal Requirements: Complying with applicable reporting obligations, valid legal processes, and other disclosures required by law.
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Health and Safety: Responding to certain serious threats to health or safety when disclosure is legally permitted or required.
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Healthcare Oversight: Cooperating with authorized audits, investigations, licensing activities, and regulatory reviews.
Other uses and disclosures may be permitted under applicable law.
C. Uses and Disclosures Requiring Authorization
SFAC will obtain written authorization when required by law before using or disclosing protected health information for purposes not otherwise permitted.
This includes most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes, as defined by HIPAA, certain marketing activities, and any sale of protected health information.
Patients may revoke an authorization in writing, except to the extent SFAC has already acted in reliance on it.
D. Your Rights Regarding Health Information
Subject to applicable legal requirements, patients have the right to:
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Request access to and copies of their health records.
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Request corrections or amendments to their records.
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Request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures of their information.
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Request confidential communications through alternative methods or locations.
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Request an accounting of certain disclosures of their health information.
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Obtain a paper copy of the Notice of Privacy Practices upon request.
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File a privacy complaint without fear of retaliation.
SFAC will respond to requests in accordance with applicable federal and state requirements.
Certain requests may be subject to legally permitted limitations.
E. Confidentiality of Mental Health and Substance Use Information
Mental health records, psychotherapy notes, and certain substance use disorder treatment records may be subject to additional confidentiality protections under federal or Florida law.
SFAC will apply those protections when applicable.
F. Changes to Privacy Practices
SFAC reserves the right to modify its privacy practices as permitted by law.
Revised notices will be made available to patients and posted on SFAC's website as required.
G. Privacy Questions and Complaints
Patients who have questions, concerns, or complaints regarding the privacy of their health information may contact:
South Florida Arts & Counseling, Inc.
Privacy Officer
Email: info@sfacounseling.org
Phone: 305-804-9121
Patients may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights.
SFAC will not retaliate against any patient for exercising their privacy rights or filing a privacy complaint.