Notice of Privacy Practices
At North Kansas City Hospital, maintaining the privacy of your health information is an important part of our business.
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
This Notice applies to the following organizations:
- North Kansas City Hospital
- North Kansas City Hospital Medical Staff and allied health professionals credentialed by the Medical Staff
- Meritas Health Corporation
- MAWD Pathology Group, PA
- Midwest Emergency Medical Services, P.C.
- Northland Radiology, Inc.
- Asana Integrated Medical Group
The organizations listed above will use and distribute this Notice as their Joint Notice of Privacy Practices and follow the information practices described in this Notice when using or disclosing records and information. They will share your health information with each other, as necessary, to carry out treatment, payment or healthcare operations as described in this Notice.
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that, your health information is used and disclosed only:
- for your treatment, payment of our services or our operations,
- upon your authorization, or
- if allowed by state or federal laws.
Our policies and procedures are designed to follow state and new federal laws which protect privacy of patient health information. Our Notice of Privacy Practices (English) provides a summary of your rights and our obligations relating to your health information at North Kansas City Hospital.
Notice of Privacy Practices (Spanish)
Background
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) requires healthcare providers such as North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health Corporation, referred to in this notice collectively as “we” or “our” or “us,” to maintain the privacy of patients’ health information. We must also notify patients about the policies and practices we use to protect the confidentiality of patient health information. This notice tells you the ways we may use and disclose health information about you, describes your rights, and states obligations we have regarding the use and disclosure of your health information. We are required to provide this notice to you.
This notice applies to any information created by our nurses and other professionals, physicians and other healthcare providers who provide services to you when you are seen at North Kansas City Hospital or a Meritas Health practice. If you see a provider who is not affiliated with us in their private office, different policies or practices may apply and you may want to ask them for a copy of their Notice of Privacy Practices.
Our Promise Regarding Your Health Information Privacy
Our privacy policies and practices protect confidential health information that identifies you or could be used to identify you and relates to a physical or mental health condition or the payment of your healthcare expenses. This individually identifiable health information is known as protected health information (PHI). Your PHI will not be used or disclosed without written authorization from you, except as described in this notice or as otherwise permitted by federal and state health information privacy laws.
How We May Use and Disclose Health Information About You
The following are the different ways we may use and disclose your PHI without first having to obtain your written authorization.
- To Our Own Healthcare Providers
We may share your PHI with our physicians and our healthcare providers so that such providers can care for you, obtain payment for their services and conduct healthcare operations
- For Treatment
We may disclose your PHI to nurses and other healthcare professionals on staff and to physicians who provide you treatment. We also may disclose your PHI to other healthcare providers not affiliated with us who provide you treatment.
- For Payment
We may use and disclose your PHI so claims for healthcare treatment, services and supplies you receive may be paid. For example, we may submit claims to your insurer or other parties responsible for payment of your care. We may also need to obtain prior approval from your insurer and in doing so explain to the insurer your need for our care and the services that will be provided to you.
- For Healthcare Operations
We may use and disclose your PHI to enable us to operate or operate more efficiently. For example, we may use your PHI to plan our future operations; for case management; to conduct compliance, medical or legal services reviews, audits or quality assurance; or to evaluate our staff’s performance.
- Health Information Exchange
We participate in a Health Information Exchange (HIE). An HIE allows healthcare professionals and patients to access and securely share a patient’s vital medical information electronically. Your PHI may be disclosed to the HIE and to other healthcare providers that participate in the HIE.
- For Fundraising
We may use or disclose your PHI to support our philanthropy efforts. You have the right to opt out of fundraising communications. To do so, please contact our Philanthropy Department at 816.691.1445.
- Other Benefits and Services
We may use and disclose your PHI to tell you about possible treatment options or alternatives or other health-related benefits or services that may be of interest to you. We may use and disclose your PHI to remind you of appointments for healthcare services.
How We May Use and Disclose Health Information About You If You Do Not Object
The following are the different ways we may use and disclose your PHI if you do not object.
- Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment of Your Care
We may disclose PHI to a close friend or family member involved in or who helps pay for your healthcare. In an emergency situation, we may also disclose PHI to a disaster relief agency, such as the Red Cross, to help notify your friends or family of your location.
- Directory
North Kansas City Hospital may use or disclose your PHI to include you in our patient directory, which includes your name, location in the hospital and general condition. A member of the clergy may also obtain your religious affiliation from the directory. If you do not want to be listed in the directory, talk to your admitting clerk or a nurse.
Special Uses and Disclosures
The law allows us to use or disclose your PHI under the following special circumstances without first having to obtain your written authorization.
- As Required by Law
We will disclose your PHI when required to do so by federal, state or local law, including those laws that require the reporting of certain types of wounds or physical injuries.
- Lawsuits and Disputes
If you become involved in a lawsuit or other legal action, we may disclose your PHI in response to a court or administrative order, a subpoena or search warrant.
- Law Enforcement
We may release your PHI if asked to do so by a law enforcement official. Your PHI may be released to law enforcement in order to, for example, treat or make medical determinations with inmates; identify or locate a suspect, witness or missing person; or to report details of a crime.
- Workers’ Compensation
We may disclose your PHI as authorized by and to comply with workers’ compensation laws.
- Military and Veterans
If you are or become a member of the U.S. armed forces, we may releasemedical information about you if required by military command authorities.
- To Avert Serious Threat to Health or Safety
We may, consistent with applicable law and ethical standards of conduct, use and disclose your PHI when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety, or the health and safety of the public or another person.
- Public Health Risks
We may disclose health information about you for public health activities or purposes. These disclosures include preventing or controlling disease, injury or disability; reporting births and deaths; reporting reactions to medication or problems with medical products; or notifying people of recalls of products they have been using.
- Health Oversight Activities
We may disclose your PHI to a health oversight agency for audits, investigations, inspections and licensure necessary for the government to monitor the healthcare system and government programs.
- Research
Under certain circumstances, we may use and disclose your PHI for medical research purposes. Before we disclose any of your health information for such research purposes, the project will be subject to an extensive review and approval process.
- National Security Services
We may release your PHI to authorized federal officials for protection of the president or for national security and intelligence activities.
- Organ and Tissue Donation
If you are an organ donor, we may release your PHI to organizations that handle organ, eye or tissue donation and transplantation.
- Coroners, Medical Examiners and Funeral Directors
We may release your PHI to a coroner or medical examiner for identifying a deceased person or determining the cause of death. We also may release your PHI to a funeral director, as necessary, to carry out his/her duties including prior to and in reasonable anticipation of your death.
- To Report Abuse and Neglect
We are allowed to notify government authorities if we believe a person is the victim of child or elder abuse or neglect. We will make this disclosure only when specifically required or authorized by law. In cases of domestic violence, we will only report when a patient authorizes disclosure or when disclosure is required or authorized by law.
Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
Your rights regarding the health information we maintain about you are as follows.
- Right to Inspect and Copy
You have the right to inspect and copy your PHI. To inspect and copy your health information, submit your request in writing to the appropriate individual as listed in the contacts section at the end of this notice. You may receive an electronic copy upon request. We may charge a fee for the cost of copying and/or mailing your request. In limited circumstances, we may deny your request to inspect and copy your PHI. Generally, if you are denied access to your health information, you may request a review of the denial.
- Right to Amend
You have the right to request an amendment to your health information if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete. To request an amendment, send a detailed request in writing to the appropriate individual as listed in the contacts section at the end of this notice. (NOTE: We are not required to agree to your request.)
- Right to An Accounting of Disclosures
You have the right to request an accounting of disclosures. This is a list of disclosures of your PHI that we made to others, except for those necessary to carry out healthcare treatment, payment or operations, and disclosures you have authorized. The request should specify the time period for the accounting starting on or after April 14, 2003. Accounting requests may not be made for periods of time in excess of six (6) years. In a 12-month period, you are eligible to receive one complimentary accounting, but additional requests will be subject to a reasonable cost-based fee. To request an accounting of disclosures, submit your request in writing to the appropriate individual as listed in the contacts section at the end of this notice.
- Right to Request Restrictions
You have the right to request a restriction on the health information we use or disclose about you for treatment, payment or healthcare operations. You also have the right to request a limit on the health information we disclose about you to someone who is involved in your care or the payment for your care, like a family member or friend. To request restrictions, submit your request in writing to the appropriate individual as listed in the contacts section at the end of this notice. We will notify you when we cannot fulfill your request for a restriction. You have a right to restrict your PHI from disclosure to a health plan for services where you have paid out of pocket and in full. We will comply with this request.
- Right to Request Confidential Communications
You have the right to request that we communicate with you about health matters in a certain way or at a certain location. For example, you can ask that we send you bills or reminders at a specified address. To request confidential communications, submit your request in writing to the appropriate individual as listed in the contacts section at the end of this notice. We will not require that you provide any reasons for your request. (NOTE: We are not required to agree to your request.)
- Right to a Paper Copy of this Notice
You and your representative have the right to a copy of this notice. To obtain a written copy of this notice at any time, request it from the appropriate individual as listed in the contacts section at the end of this notice.
- Right to Notice in the Event of a Breach
We will keep your medical information private and secure as required by law. If any of your medical information is breached as described in HIPAA, we will notify you without unreasonable delay but within 60 days following the discovery of a breach.
Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to change this Notice at any time and to make the revised or changed Notice effective for health information we already have about you. A copy of the current Notice is posted in our registration sites. If changes are made to the Notice, a copy of the revised Notice will be made available to you. We are required to abide by the terms of the Notice currently in effect.
Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights under this policy have been violated, we encourage you to express your concerns by filing a written complaint with the Compliance Officer, North Kansas City Hospital, 2800 Clay Edwards Drive, North Kansas City, MO 64116. Alternatively, you may voice your concern to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (NOTE: You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint.)
Other Uses and Disclosures of Health Information
Most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes require your written authorization. Also, uses and disclosures of PHI for marketing purposes or sales of your PHI require your written authorization. We will not use your PHI to contact you for fundraising purposes without your authorization. Other uses and disclosures of health information not covered by this notice or by the laws that apply to us will be made only with your written authorization. If you authorize us to use or disclose your PHI, you may revoke the authorization, in writing, at any time. If you revoke your authorization, we will no longer use or disclose your PHI for the reasons covered by your written authorization; however, we will not reverse any uses or disclosures already made in reliance on your prior authorization.
Contacts
For questions or concerns regarding the notice specific to North Kansas City Hospital please contact:
Director, Health Information Management
North Kansas City Hospital
2800 Clay Edwards Drive
North Kansas City, MO 64116
816-691-1587
For questions or concerns regarding the notice specific to Meritas Health Corporation please contact:
Compliance Manager
Meritas Health Corporation
2700 Clay Edwards Drive
Suite 240
North Kansas City, MO 64116
816-691-1686
For questions or concerns regarding philanthropy or to be removed from fundraising communications, please contact:
Chief Development Officer, Philanthropy Department
North Kansas City Hospital
2700 Clay Edwards Drive, Suite 320
North Kansas City, MO 64116
816-691-1445
Effective Date: September 1, 2022