Privacy Policy
Our Commitment to Your Privacy
The appropriate collection, use and disclosure of patient’s health information is fundamental to patient care and daily operations of Evolve Health and Wellness. The protection of your privacy is important to the doctors and staff at Evolve Health and Wellness. We endeavor to provide our patients with the best health care. Every member of Evolve Health and Wellness must adhere to the Privacy Policy when handling your personal health information.
The Policy was established on April 30th, 2019.
Applicability of This Privacy Policy
Our Privacy Policy demonstrates our commitment to patient privacy. It describes the ways we ensure the protection of your privacy. Our Privacy Policy applies to the personal health information of all patients which is in our possession.
What is Personal Health Information?
Personal health information is any identifying information about an individual relating to their physical or mental health. This includes medical history, the provision of care, payments or eligibility for care, organ and tissue donation and health number.
The 10 Privacy Principles
Our Privacy Policy demonstrates our compliance with fair information practices, applicable laws and standards of practice.
1. Accountability
We take patient privacy seriously. Each clinician at Evolve Health and Wellness is responsible for the personal information under their control. Our doctors are informed about the importance of privacy, and are regularly updated with current information regarding the Privacy Policy and its implications.
2. Why We Collect Information
We need your information to service your individual needs. We obtain the majority of our information about you from you or other health care providers you have authorized to disclose information to us. It is your right to know how we use your information. This right is described in the Patient Privacy Statement at Evolve Health and Wellness. We limit the information we collect to what we need to provide exceptional care. We will obtain your consent should we like to use any of your information for additional purposes.
3. Consent
It is your right to determine how your personal information is used and disclosed. Your consent to treatment most times implies consent to collection of information for health care purposes. Your written consent will documented in your medical records.
Patients who withdraw consent to disclose personal health information must sign and date a Withdrawal of Consent Form. It is understood that the consent directive applies only to the information which the patient has already provided – not the information which the patient may provide in the future. Under certain conditions, this consent directive may be overridden, such as in the case of emergency. The consent directive is only overridden in instances where necessary health care is obstructed by the directive. The Withdrawal of Consent Form will be documented and providers will be notified.
4. Limiting Collection
We collect information by fair, lawful means and only collect information which is paramount to the provision of your care.
5. Limiting Use, Disclosure and Retention
The information we request from you is used expressly for the purposes defined. Any use beyond the scope of the Privacy Statement must first be consented to.
We do not sell your information to third parties.
There are some types of disclosure of your information which may occur as a part of the routine duties of Evolve Health and Wellness. These disclosures include consultants and suppliers to the practice, on the premise that these consultants and suppliers abide by our Privacy Policy. These disclosures are limited to the information necessary to allow them to provide business services to the practice.
Your information will be retained for the necessary, lawful period of time for the purposes we have described. When your information is no longer required, it is destroyed.
6. Accuracy
All decisions made regarding your personal information are based on accurate information to the best of our ability. Full, timely disclosure of relevant information and changes in any information previously provided are paramount to the provision of your care.
7. Protection of Information
We employ appropriate security measures to protect your information. The practice maintains electronic and paper files to secure your information. Recent paper files are kept on site, and older records may be securely stored offsite.
Access to personal information is authorized only for clinicians and employees of Evolve Health and Wellness, and other agents who require access in the performance of their duties, as well as those otherwise authorized by law.
Our computer systems are password-secured and only authorized individuals may access our secure systems and databases.
If you send us an e-mail message which includes personal information, we will use that information in our response. Please note: e-mail is not necessarily secure against interception. If your communication is highly sensitive in nature, electronic transmission should be avoided unless your email is encrypted or if your browser indicates access is secure.
8. Transparency
The practice has prepared this Privacy Policy to keep you informed. You may view a copy by visiting www.evolvehealthandwellness.com.
Any additional questions may be directed to us by phone or email as listed on our website.
9. Access and Correction
With few exceptions, we will grant you access to the information retained about you within a reasonable time. This access is predicated on a written request and satisfactory identification.
A fee may be charged for this service, and if so, notice will be given in advance of processing your request.
Should you find errors of fact in your personal health information, notify us as soon as possible so that we can make the corrections promptly. Clinical observations or professional opinions are not required to be corrected. You reserve the right to append a statement of disagreement to your record if your requested change is refused.
If we deny your request for access to your records, we will advise you in writing of the reason. You may then challenge our decision.
10. Challenging Compliance
Please contact us with any questions or concerns you may have about your privacy or the Privacy Policy. We will respond to any queries you may have regarding the handling of your information.
You may reach us at:
Alexander Schepler DC, MSACN
Evolve Health and Wellness