Your Information. Your Rights. Our Responsibilities.

Rheumatology Therapeutics Medical Center is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal and medical information.

This notice explains how medical information about you may be used and disclosed, how you can access that information, and the rights you have regarding your protected health information.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Request an electronic or paper copy of your medical record
• Ask us to correct information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete
• Request that we communicate with you in a specific way or at a specific location
• Ask us to limit certain uses or disclosures of your health information
• Request a list of certain disclosures of your health information
• Receive a paper copy of this notice
• Choose someone who is legally authorized to act on your behalf
• File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated

Accessing Your Medical Records

You may request to see or receive an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other health information maintained by RTMC.

We will generally provide a copy or summary of your health information within the time permitted by law. A reasonable cost based fee may apply.

Correcting Your Medical Record

If you believe information in your medical record is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask us to correct it.

We may deny certain requests, but if we do, we will provide an explanation in writing as required by law.

Confidential Communications

You may ask us to contact you in a particular way, such as by home phone, mobile phone, office phone, or at a different mailing address.

We will accommodate reasonable requests.

Requesting Restrictions

You may ask RTMC not to use or disclose certain health information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.

We are not always required to agree to these requests.

If you pay for a healthcare service completely out of pocket, you may request that we not disclose information about that service to your health insurer for payment or healthcare operations unless disclosure is required by law.

Your Choices

In certain situations, you may tell us how you would like your information shared.

This may include sharing information with:

• Family members
• Close friends
• Individuals involved in your care
• Individuals helping pay for your care
• Disaster relief organizations

If you are unable to communicate your preference, we may share information when we believe it is in your best interest or when necessary to prevent a serious threat to health or safety.

We will generally obtain written authorization before using or disclosing your information for:

• Marketing purposes
• Sale of your health information
• Most uses of psychotherapy notes

How We May Use and Share Your Information

RTMC may use or disclose your health information for purposes including:

Treatment

We may use and share your health information with physicians and other healthcare professionals involved in your care.

Healthcare Operations

We may use health information to operate our medical practice, improve services, manage treatment, and contact you when necessary.

Billing and Payment

We may use or disclose health information to bill your insurance company, health plan, or other responsible party for services provided.

Public Health and Safety

We may disclose information when permitted or required for purposes such as:

• Preventing disease
• Reporting adverse medication reactions
• Assisting with product recalls
• Reporting suspected abuse or neglect
• Preventing or reducing a serious threat to health or safety

Research

Health information may be used or disclosed for legally permitted healthcare research.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by federal or state law.

Workers’ Compensation and Government Requests

Information may be disclosed for legally authorized workers’ compensation claims, health oversight activities, law enforcement requests, or certain governmental functions.

Legal Proceedings

Health information may be disclosed in response to certain court orders, administrative orders, subpoenas, or other lawful legal processes.

Substance Use Disorder Records

To the extent RTMC maintains substance use disorder patient records subject to 42 CFR Part 2, those records receive additional protections.

Such information generally may not be used or disclosed in investigations or legal proceedings against you without your written consent or other authorization permitted by law.

Our Responsibilities

RTMC is required to:

• Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information
• Notify you if a breach occurs that may have compromised your information
• Follow the privacy practices described in this notice
• Provide you with a copy of this notice upon request
• Obtain written permission for uses and disclosures that are not otherwise permitted by law

If you provide written permission for a particular use or disclosure, you may generally revoke that permission in writing.

Changes to This Notice

RTMC may update this notice from time to time.

Changes may apply to information already maintained by RTMC as well as information received in the future.

The most current version will be available through our office and website.

Website Information

When you visit arthritisconsult.com, certain technical information may be collected automatically by the website or service providers used to operate the site.

This may include information such as your browser type, device information, pages visited, and general website usage information.

Information submitted through appointment or contact forms should be limited to what is necessary for us to respond to your request.

Please do not submit highly sensitive medical information through a standard website contact form unless the form is specifically identified as a secure method for communicating protected health information.

Questions or Privacy Concerns

If you have questions about this notice or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact:

Compliance Officer
Rheumatology Therapeutics Medical Center
18386 Ventura Blvd.
Tarzana, CA 91356

Phone: (818) 996 4077

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights.

RTMC will not retaliate against you for filing a privacy complaint.