Focal Point Professional Services, LLC Hippa Compliance

Focal Point Professional Services, LLC

= &nb= sp; = This policy as written is adopted by Focal Point Professional Servic= es, L.L.C. on February 1, 2007

and will remain in effect until modified or repl= aced

Notice Of Privacy Practices

<= span style=3D'font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> = Required by the Privacy Regulations created as a result of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCES= S TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE RE= VIEW IT CAREFULLY.

= &nb= sp; =

A.= OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR PRIVACY

Focal Point Professional Services, L.L.C<= /span>. is dedicated to maintaining the privacy of your individually identifiable health information (IIHI). In conducting our bus= iness, we will create records regarding you and the treatment and services we prov= ide to you. We are required by la= w to maintain the confidentiality of health information that identifies you. We also are required by law to pro= vide you with this notice of our legal duties and the privacy practices that we maintain in our practice concerning your IIHI. By federal and state law, we must = follow the terms of the notice of privacy practices that we have in effect at the time. &n= bsp;

We realize that these laws are complicate= d, but we must provide you with the following important information:

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fa= reast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'>·= ; = How we may use and disclose your IIHI

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fa= reast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'>·= ; = Your privacy rights in your IIHI

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fa= reast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'>·= ; = Our obligations concerning the use and disclosure of your IIHI

The terms of this notice apply to all records containing your IIHI that are cre= ated or retained by our practice. = We reserve the right to revise or amend this Notice of Privacy Practices. Any revision or amendment to this = notice will be effective for all of your records that our practice has created or maintained in the past, and for any of your records that we may create or maintain in the future. Our practice will post a copy of our current Notice in our offices in a visible location at all times, and you may request a copy of our most current Notic= e at any time.

B.= IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS N= OTICE, PLEASE CONTACT:

Ma= rcia Swope

28= 080 Hwy. 98

Su= ite G

Da= phne AL 36526

(2= 51) 625-6448=

C. &= nbsp; WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR INDIVIDUALLY IDENTIFIABLE HEALTH INFORMATION (IIH= I) IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS

The following categories describe the different ways in which we may use and disclose your IIHI.

1.= Treatment. Our practice may use your IIHI to = treat you. For example, we may ask = you to have laboratory tests (such as blood or urine tests), and we may use the results to help us reach a diagnosis. We might use your IIHI in order to write a prescription for you, or = we might disclose your IIHI to a pharmacy when we order a prescription for you. Many of the people who w= ork for our practice – including, but not limited to, our Counselors, Doc= tors Nurses and office support staff – may use or disclose your IIHI in or= der to treat you or to assist others in your treatment. Additionally, we may disclose your= IIHI to others who may assist in your care, such as your spouse, children or parents.

Finally, with your permission, we may also disclose your IIHI to other health care providers for purposes related to y= our treatment.

2.= Payment. Our practice may use and disclose = your IIHI in order to bill and collect payment for the services and items you may receive from us. For example,= we may contact your health insurer to certify that you are eligible for benefi= ts (and for what range of benefits), and we may provide your insurer with deta= ils regarding your treatment to determine if your insurer will cover, or pay fo= r, your treatment. We also may u= se and disclose your IIHI to obtain payment from third parties that may be respons= ible for such costs, such as family members.&nb= sp; Also, we may use your IIHI to bill you directly for services and items. We may disclose your I= IHI to other health care providers and entities to assist in their billing and col= lection efforts.

3.= Health Care Operations<= span style=3D'font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>. Our practice may use and disclose = your IIHI to operate our business. As examples of the ways in which we may use and disclose your information for = our operations, our practice may use your IIHI to evaluate the quality of care = you received from us, or to conduct cost-management and business planning activities for our practice. = We may disclose your IIHI to other health care providers and entities to assist in their health care operations.

4.= Appointment Reminders. Our practice may use and disclose = your IIHI to contact you and remind you of an appointment.

5.= Treatment Options. Our practice may use and disclose = your IIHI to inform you of potential treatment options or alternatives.

6.= Health-Related Benefits and Servic= es. Our practice may use and disclose = your IIHI to inform you of health-related benefits or services that may be of interest to you.

7.= Release of Information to Family/F= riends. Our practice may release your IIHI= to a friend or family member that is involved in your care, or who assists in taking ca= re of you. For example, a parent= or guardian may ask that a babysitter take their child to the Counseling office for treatment of a cold. In t= his example, the babysitter may have access to this child’s medical information.

8.= Disclosures Required By Law= . Our practice will use and disclose= your IIHI when we are required to do so by federal, state or local law.

D. USE AND DISCLOSURE OF YOUR IIHI IN CERTAIN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

The following categories describe unique scenarios in which we may use or disclose your identifiable health informat= ion:

1.= Public Health Risks. Our practice may disclose your IIH= I to public health authorities that are authorized by law to collect information= for the purpose of:

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fa= reast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'>·= ; = maintaining vital records, such as births and deaths

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fa= reast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'>·= ; = reporting child abuse or neglect<= /b>

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fa= reast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'>·= ;      =    preventing or controlling disease, injury or disability

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fa= reast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'>·= ;      =    notifying a person regarding potential exposure to a communicable disease

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fa= reast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'>·= ;      =    notifying a person regarding a potential risk for spreading or contracting a disease = or condition

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fa= reast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'>·= ;      =    reporting reactions to drugs or problems with products or devices

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fa= reast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'>·= ;      =    notifying individuals if a product or device they may be using has been recalled

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fa= reast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'>·= ;      =    notifying appropriate government agency(ies) and authority(ies) regarding the potenti= al abuse or neglect of an adult patient (including domestic violence); however= , we will only disclose this information if the patient agrees or we are require= d or authorized by law to disclose this information

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fa= reast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'>·= ;      =    notifying your employer under limited circumstances related primarily to workplace in= jury or illness or medical surveillance.

2.= Health Oversight Activities= . Our practice may disclose your IIH= I to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law. Oversight activities can include, = for example, investigations, inspections, audits, surveys, licensure and disciplinary actions; civil, administrative, and criminal procedures or actions; or other activities necessary for the government to monitor govern= ment programs, compliance with civil rights laws and the health care system in general.

3.= Lawsuits and Similar Proceedings. Our practice may use and disclose = your IIHI in response to a court or administrative order, if you are involved in= a lawsuit or similar proceeding. We also may disclose your IIHI in response to a discovery request, subpoena, or other lawful process by another party involved in the dispute, but only if = we have made an effort to inform you of the request or to obtain an order protecting the information the party has requested.

4.= Law Enforcement. We may release IIHI if asked to do= so by a law enforcement official:

= ·= ;      =    Regarding a crime victim in certain situations, if we are unable to obtain the person= ’s agreement

= ·= ;      =    Concerning a death we believe has resulted from criminal conduct

= ·= ;      =    Regarding criminal conduct at our offices

= ·= ;      =    In response to a warrant, summons, court order, subpoena or similar legal proc= ess

= ·= ;      =    To identify/locate a suspect, material witness, fugitive or missing person

= ·= ;      =    In an emergency, to report a crime (including the location or victim(s) of the crime, or the description, identity or location of the perpetrator)

8.= Serious Threats to Health or Safet= y. Our practice may use and disclose = your IIHI when necessary to reduce or prevent a serious threat to your health and saf= ety or the health and safety of another individual or the public. Under these circumstances, we will= only make disclosures to a person or organization able to help prevent the threa= t.

9.     Military. Our practice may disclose your IIHI if you are a member of U.S. or foreign military forces (including veterans) and if required by the appropr= iate authorities.

10= . National Security. Our practice may disclose your IIH= I to federal officials for intelligence and national security activities authori= zed by law. We also may disclose = your IIHI to federal officials in order to protect the President, other official= s or foreign heads of state, or to conduct investigations.

11= . Inmates. Our practice may disclose your IIH= I to correctional institutions or law enforcement officials if you are an inmate= or under the custody of a law enforcement official. Disclosure for these purposes woul= d be necessary: (a) for the institution to provide health care services to you, = (b) for the safety and security of the institution, and/or (c) to protect your health and safety or the health and safety of other individuals.        &= nbsp;

12= . Workers’ Compensation= . Our practice may release your IIHI= for workers’ compensation and similar programs.

E. YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR IIHI

You have the following rights regarding t= he IIHI that we maintain about you:

1.= Confidential Communications= . You have the r= ight to request that our practice communicate with you about your health and rel= ated issues in a particular manner or at a certain location. For instance, you may ask that we contact you at home, rather than work.&nbs= p; In order to request a type of confidential communication, you must m= ake a written request to Marcia Swope, 251-625-6448 specifying the requested method of contact, or the location where you wish to be contacted. Our practice will accommodate reasonab= le requests. You do not need to = give a reason for your request.

2.= Requesting Restrictions= . You have the right to request a restriction in our use or disclosure of your IIHI for treatment, payment or health care operations. Additionally, you have the right to request that we restrict our disclosure of your IIHI to only certain individuals involved in your care or the payment for your care, such as family members and friends. We are not required to agree t= o your request; however, if we do agree, we are bound by our agreement except = when otherwise required by law, in emergencies, or when the information is neces= sary to treat you. In order to req= uest a restriction in our use or disclosure of your IIHI, you must make your reque= st in writing Marcia Swope, 251-625-6= 448. Your request must describe in a cl= ear and concise fashion:

= (a)    the information you wish restricted;

= (b)    whether you are requesting to limit our practice’s use, disclosure or both; a= nd

= (c)    to whom you want the limits to apply.

3.= Inspection and Copies. You have the right to inspect and = obtain a copy of the IIHI that may be used to make decisions about you, including patient medical records and billing records, but not including psychotherapy notes. You must submit your r= equest in writing to Marcia Swope 251-625= -6448 in order to inspect and/or obtain a copy of your IIHI. Our practice may charge a fee for = the costs of copying, mailing, labor and supplies associated with your request. Our practice may den= y your request to inspect and/or copy in certain limited circumstances; however, y= ou may request a review of our denial. Another licensed health care profession= al chosen by us will conduct reviews.

4.= Amendment. You may ask us to amend your health information if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete, and you may reque= st an amendment for as long as the information is kept by or for our practice. To request an amend= ment, your request must be made in writing and submitted to Marcia Swope, 251-625-6448.&n= bsp; You must provide us with a reason that supports your request for amendment. Our practice will = deny your request if you fail to submit your request (and the reason supporting = your request) in writing. Also, we= may deny your request if you ask us to amend information that is in our opinion: (a) accurate and complete; (b) not part of the IIHI kept by or for the practice; (c) not part of the IIHI which you would be permitted to inspect = and copy; or (d) not created by our practice, unless the individual or entity t= hat created the information is not available to amend the information.

5.= Accounting of Disclosures. All of our patients have the right= to request an “accounting of disclosures.” An “accounting of disclosures” is a list of certain non-routine disclosures our practice has made of your IIHI for non-treatment, non-payment or non-operations purposes. Use of your IIHI as= part of the routine patient care in our practice is not required to be documented. IE:, the doctor s= haring information with the nurse; or the billing department using your informatio= n to file your insurance claim. In= order to obtain an accounting of disclosures, you must submit your request in wri= ting to Marcia Swope, 251-625-6448.= All requests for an “accounting of disclosures” must state a time period, which may not be longer than six (6) years from the date of disclos= ure and may not include dates before February 1, 2007. The first list you request within a 12-month period is free of charge, but our practice may charge you for addi= tional lists within the same 12-month period.&nbs= p; Our practice will notify you of the costs involved with additional requests, and you may withdraw your request before you incur any costs.

6.= Right to a Paper Copy of This Noti= ce. You are entitled to receive a pape= r copy of our notice of privacy practices. You may ask us to give you a copy of this notice at any time. To obtain a paper copy of this not= ice, contact Marcia Swope, 251-625-6448= .

7.= Right to File a Complaint. If you believe your privacy rights= have been violated, you may file a complaint with our practice or with the Secre= tary of the Department of Health and Human Services. To file a complaint with our pract= ice, contact Marcia Swope, 251-625-6448= . All complaints must be submitted in writing. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.

8.= Right to Provide an Authorization = for Other Uses and Disclosures. Our practice will obtain your written authorization for uses and disclosures th= at are not identified by this notice or permitted by applicable law. Any authorization you provide to us regarding the use and disclosure of your IIHI may be revoked at any time in writing. After you revoke your authorization, we will no longer use or disclose your IIHI for the reasons described in the authorization. Please note, we are required to re= tain records of your care.

        =             &nb= sp;            =         If you have any questions regarding this notice or our health information privacy policies,

        =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =        please contact Marcia Swope, 251-625-6448.