Recovery Resources uses and discloses information about you to carry out treatment, payment, and health care operations. Both Federal and State laws govern how information is used and stored, what information is disclosed, and who gets this information. We will only disclose information about you that we are permitted to disclose. We may, for example, disclose information about you in an emergency situation.

In order to receive payment for services, we disclose information about you to the Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH) and/or the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services (ODADAS). To receive mental health services and substance abuse services paid for by public funds, you must provide information to your County Community Mental Health Board or local Alcohol & Drug Addiction Services Board so that we can determine if you are eligible for publicly-funded services, enroll you in the County Behavioral Healthcare Plan, and pay the provider for your service through the MACSIS computer system which connects the Board to the Ohio Department of Mental Health, the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services, and the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services. We may disclose information to your managed care plan as necessary for the purpose of processing your claim for payment to Recovery Resources for services provided.

All information will be kept confidential, consistent with state and federal laws. Name identifying information will be used only to pay for services provided to you. Demographic information will be kept without your name attached, and reported to the state departments. This information will not be available to other sources, or used for other purposes. Information will be kept for seven (7) years after your have received services, and only demographic information will be kept after that time.

In order to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of services, we maintain an electronic database of health information and those who install and service our computer equipment may see your information. All business associates who provide us with services that help us to operate are notified that information they see is protected, and not to be disclosed.

We may disclose health information about you to public health authorities that are authorized by law to collect information to prevent or control diseases, injury, or disability. We may disclose health information to a government authority authorized by law to receive reports of child abuse or neglect. If we believe tht your are a victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence, we may disclose information about you to a government authority, social service agency, or protective service agency authorized by law to receive reports of this kind. We may also disclose information to a health oversight agency for oversight activities authorized by law, including audits; civil, administrative, or criminal investigations; inspections; licensure or disciplinary actions, or other activities necessary for appropriate oversight of the health care system.

You have the right to request that we restrict how protected health information is used or disclosed to carry out treatment, payment, or health care operations. We are not required to agree to these restrictions. If we agree to a restriction that you have requested, we will provide you with a written description of the restriction, and that restriction will be binding on us. You have the right to inspect and copy your health information. You have the right to request RR to amend health information on a record about you that you believe is inaccurate or incomplete. You have the right to receive an accounting of disclosures of your health information.

All other uses and disclosures of health information about you will be made only with your written authorization. We are required by law to maintain the privacy of protected health information, and to provide you with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to protected health information. We are required to abide by the terms of this notice, but we reserve the right to change the terms of this notice, and to make the new notice provisions effective for all protected health information we maintain. If we change this notice, a revised notice will be available to you upon request.

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may process a complaint by contacting Julia Rogers, Privacy Officer, at (216) 431-4131, Extension 1207. Contact hours are Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You may also file a complaint in writing or electronically with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Department of Health and Human Services, 233 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 240, Chicago, IL 60601. For all complaints filed by e-mail send to OCRComplaint@hhs.gov. The complaint must be filed in writing within 180 days of when you knew or should have known of the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of your complaint. You will not be subjected to any form of reprisal for filing a complaint.

RR may need to contact your by phone for appointment reminders or with information about treatment alternatives or other health related benefits and services. Recovery Resources may contact you to raise funds for the agency.

You will be offered a copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices for Protected Health Information. You have the right to review this Notice before signing the Consent for Treatment, and for Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information document. You will have the right to revoke your Consent in writing, except to the extent that RR has taken action in reliance on the Consent.

This notice is effective on April 14, 2003

Recovery Resources (RR)

Notice of Privacy Practices for Protected Health Information

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.