Notice of Privacy Practices

Effective Date: February 16, 2026

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your protected health information (PHI), to provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, and to notify you following a breach of unsecured PHI. We must follow the privacy practices described in this Notice while it is in effect.

How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information

We may use and disclose your health information for treatment, payment, and health care operations (TPO).

Treatment: We may use and disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your dental care. Example: Sharing information with a specialist or a laboratory.
Payment: We may use and disclose your PHI to obtain reimbursement for services, including billing insurance companies or determining eligibility.
Health Care Operations: We may use your PHI for activities necessary to run our practice, such as quality assessment, staff training, and licensing.

Stricter Protections for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Records

Some health information, specifically alcohol and/or substance use disorder treatment records governed by 42 CFR Part 2, is entitled to heightened confidentiality protections.

Use for TPO: If we receive SUD records through your general consent, we may use them for treatment, payment, and health care operations as described above.
Legal Proceedings: In no event will we use or disclose your SUD records, or testimony describing them, in any civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings against you without your express written consent or a specific court order.
Redisclosure: SUD records may remain protected from redisclosure under these stricter laws even if other PHI is not.

Other Permitted Uses and Disclosures Without Authorization

We may disclose your PHI without your written authorization in the following cases:

Required by Law: When required by federal, state, or local law.
Public Health: For disease prevention, reporting child abuse or neglect, or reporting medication reactions.
Law Enforcement & Oversight: In response to court orders, subpoenas, or to oversight agencies for audits and investigations.
National Security: To military or federal officials for lawful intelligence or security activities.
Fundraising: We may contact you for fundraising activities. You have the right to opt out of these communications at any time.

Disclosures Requiring Your Written Authorization

Your written authorization is required for the disclosure of psychotherapy notes, marketing activities not otherwise permitted by law, and the sale of PHI. You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time.

Your Health Information Rights

Right to Access: You may inspect or obtain a copy of your health information (paper or electronic) by submitting a written request. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
Right to Amend: You may request that we amend information you believe is incorrect. We may deny this request under certain circumstances but will provide a written explanation.
Right to Restriction: You may request additional restrictions on how we use or share your PHI. We are only required to agree if you paid for a service in full out-of-pocket and request we not share that information with your health plan.
Accounting of Disclosures: You may request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your PHI.
Alternative Communication: You may request that we communicate with you at a specific location or via specific means.

Questions and Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our Privacy Official or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Contact Info: 253-939-1863 | info@precisiondentalauburn.com