NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

This notice outlines how your medical information may be used or shared, as well as how you can access it. Please read it carefully.

If you have questions, please reach out to our Privacy Officer: Shradha Hadvani, Body Care Physio & Rehab
475 Westney Rd N Unit 15-B,
Ajax, ON L1T 3H4, Canada
(905) 619-2222

This notice explains the procedures our clinic and its staff follow to safeguard your health information.

YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION

This notice applies to the information and records related to your health, including your health status and the care you receive at our facility. This may include written or electronic records, as well as verbal information about your health history, symptoms, examinations, test results, diagnoses, treatments, prescriptions, and billing information.

We are required by law to provide this notice to you, detailing how we use and disclose your health information, as well as your rights concerning that information.

HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION

We may use and disclose your health information for the following purposes:

• For Treatment: Your health information may be used to provide medical services. We may share this information with healthcare professionals involved in your care, including doctors, nurses, and administrative staff. For instance, we may need to communicate with your referring physician to coordinate your treatment effectively.
• For Payment: We may disclose your health information to bill your health plan or insurance for services provided at our clinic. This may also involve obtaining prior authorization from your insurer.
• For Health Care Operations: Your information may be used to improve our services and ensure quality care. This includes evaluating staff performance and deciding on future services.
• Appointment Reminders: We may contact you to remind you of upcoming appointments.
• Treatment Alternatives: We may provide information about treatment options or alternatives that may be relevant to your care.
• Health-Related Products and Services: We may inform you about health-related products or services that may interest you.

If you do not wish to receive reminders or information regarding treatment alternatives or health products, please notify us in writing at the address provided above.

OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES

Your health information may also be used or disclosed for specific purposes, as required by law:

• To Prevent Serious Threats: We may disclose your information to prevent serious harm to yourself or others.
• As Required by Law: We will release your health information if mandated by federal, state, or local laws.
• For Research: Your health information may be used for research, provided that it follows a specific approval process. If personal identification is required, we will ask for your permission.
• Military and National Security: If applicable, your information may be shared with military authorities or relevant government agencies.
• Worker’s Compensation: We may disclose your information for workers’ compensation purposes.
• Public Health Risks: Your health information may be shared for public health reasons, such as controlling disease or reporting suspected abuse.
• Health Oversight Activities: We may disclose information to agencies overseeing health care compliance.
• Legal Matters: Your health information may be disclosed in legal situations, such as court orders or subpoenas.
• Coroners and Medical Examiners: We may share your information for death investigations.
• Family and Friends: With your verbal agreement or if we infer that you would not object, we may share your health information with family or friends involved in your care. In emergencies, we will use our judgment to disclose relevant information to those who are close to you.

AUTHORIZATION FOR OTHER USES

Your health information will not be used or disclosed for purposes outside those described without your explicit written consent. If you provide such consent, you may revoke it at any time in writing. We cannot retract any disclosures already made based on your permission.

YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION

You have the following rights concerning your health information:

• Right to Inspect and Copy: You may request to view or obtain copies of your health records. Submit your request in writing, and note that fees may apply for copying and mailing.
• Right to Correct: If you find inaccuracies in your health information, you may request amendments. Please submit a request form, which we will provide.
• Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You can request a record of disclosures we’ve made outside of treatment, payment, or health operations, for a specified time frame.
• Right to Request Restrictions: You can request limitations on how we use or disclose your information for treatment or payment purposes. We are not obligated to agree but will inform you of our decision.
• Right to Request Confidential Communications: You may ask us to communicate with you in a certain way or location (e.g., via mail or at your workplace).
• Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice: You may request a physical copy of this notice at any time, regardless of previous agreements for electronic delivery.

CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE

We reserve the right to update this notice and make the revised version effective in the future. The current notice will be posted in our office with the effective date indicated.

COMPLAINTS

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our office or the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. To file a complaint with our office, please contact Shradha Hadvani at (905) 619-2222. You will not face any penalties for submitting a complaint.