ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
THIS NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES (“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, which became effective on September 1, 2010, applies to any health care facility or
physician practice now or in the future controlled by or under common control with Advocate
Health Care Network and any of its affiliates or subsidiaries (collectively referred to as "Advocate
Health Care") which includes without limitation the following:
Hospitals and Medical Staffs Other
Advocate BroMenn Medical Center Advocate Home Care Products, Inc.
Advocate Christ Medical Center Advocate Home Health Services
Advocate Eureka Hospital Advocate Hospice
Advocate Condell Medical Center ACL Laboratories
Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital Advocate High Technology, Inc.
Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Advocate Occupational Health
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Advocate Family Care Network
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
Advocate Lutheran General Children’s Hospital
Advocate South Suburban Hospital
Advocate Trinity Hospital
Medical Groups
Advocate Medical Group
Dreyer Medical Clinic
Disclaimer
This Advocate Health Care site has decided to use a joint Notice of Privacy Practices and a joint Acknowledgement Form with
independent physicians who are not employed by Advocate Health Care. The use of these joint forms rather than the use of separate
notices and forms is being done only for the patient’s convenience and to improve the access to patient Medical Information by the
patient’s physician.
Although this Notice does address the sites listed above, any independent physicians are and remain independent contractors and are not
agents, servants or employees of Advocate Health Care and are solely responsible for their judgment and (medical) conduct in treating or
providing professional services to the patient and for their compliance with state and federal privacy laws. Nothing in this Notice is meant
to imply, infer or create any agency or employment relationship between any independent physicians and Advocate Health Care, either
actual or implied; nor is it intended to create reliance on the part of the patient; nor is this Notice intended to alter or limit any other
consents for treatment or procedures the patient may sign during the time the patient is provided care at this site.
This Notice is effective September 1, 2010.
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Page 1 of 9
ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
THIS NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES (“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, which became effective on September 1, 2010, applies to any health care facility or
physician practice now or in the future controlled by or under common control with Advocate
Health Care Network and any of its affiliates or subsidiaries (collectively referred to as "Advocate
Health Care") which includes without limitation the following:
Hospitals and Medical Staffs Other
Advocate BroMenn Medical Center Advocate Home Care Products, Inc.
Advocate Christ Medical Center Advocate Home Health Services
Advocate Eureka Hospital Advocate Hospice
Advocate Condell Medical Center ACL Laboratories
Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital Advocate High Technology, Inc.
Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Advocate Occupational Health
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Advocate Family Care Network
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
Advocate Lutheran General Children’s Hospital
Advocate South Suburban Hospital
Advocate Trinity Hospital
Medical Groups
Advocate Medical Group
Dreyer Medical Clinic
Disclaimer
This Advocate Health Care site has decided to use a joint Notice of Privacy Practices and a joint Acknowledgement Form with
independent physicians who are not employed by Advocate Health Care. The use of these joint forms rather than the use of separate
notices and forms is being done only for the patient’s convenience and to improve the access to patient Medical Information by the
patient’s physician.
Although this Notice does address the sites listed above, any independent physicians are and remain independent contractors and are not
agents, servants or employees of Advocate Health Care and are solely responsible for their judgment and (medical) conduct in treating or
providing professional services to the patient and for their compliance with state and federal privacy laws. Nothing in this Notice is meant
to imply, infer or create any agency or employment relationship between any independent physicians and Advocate Health Care, either
actual or implied; nor is it intended to create reliance on the part of the patient; nor is this Notice intended to alter or limit any other
consents for treatment or procedures the patient may sign during the time the patient is provided care at this site.
This Notice is effective September 1, 2010.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION
We understand that medical information about you and your health is personal. We are
committed to protecting your medical information. Each time you visit a hospital, physician, or
other health care provider, they document information about you and your visit. Typically, this
record contains, among other information, your name, symptoms, health history, examination and
test results, diagnoses, current and future treatment, and billing-related information (“Medical
Information”). This Medical Information is used to provide you with quality care and to comply
with certain legal requirements.
This Notice will tell you how we may use and disclose Medical Information about you. It also
describes your rights and certain obligations we have regarding the use and disclosure of your
Medical Information.
We are required by law to:
• Maintain the privacy of your Medical Information.
• Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to
information we collect and maintain about you.
• Follow the terms of this Notice or a Notice that is in effect at the time Advocate Health
Care uses or discloses your Medical Information.
USES AND DISCLOSURES OF YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION
The following categories describe different ways in which we may use and disclose your Medical
Information. With respect to use and disclosure of your Medical Information for Treatment,
Payment and Health Care Operations, we may share your Medical Information with any of the
entities referenced in this Notice, or any physician or other health care provider as allowed by law
For Treatment. We may use your Medical Information to provide, coordinate or manage your
medical treatment and related services. Your Medical Information can be shared with physicians,
nurses, technicians and others involved in your care and these individuals will collect and
document information about you in your medical record. To assure immediate continuity of care,
we may disclose information to a physician or other health care provider who will be assuming
your care. For example, different departments may share your Medical Information to coordinate
the different services you may need such as prescriptions, lab work, meals and X-rays or other
diagnostic tests.
For Payment. We may use and disclose your Medical Information so that the treatments and
services you receive may be billed and payment may be collected from you, an insurance
company or a third party. For example, we may need to give information about the surgery you
received to your health plan so your health plan will pay us or reimburse you for the surgery. We
also may tell your health plan about a treatment you are going to receive to obtain prior approval
or to determine whether your plan will cover the treatment.
.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION
We understand that medical information about you and your health is personal. We are
committed to protecting your medical information. Each time you visit a hospital, physician, or
other health care provider, they document information about you and your visit. Typically, this
record contains, among other information, your name, symptoms, health history, examination and
test results, diagnoses, current and future treatment, and billing-related information (“Medical
Information”). This Medical Information is used to provide you with quality care and to comply
with certain legal requirements.
This Notice will tell you how we may use and disclose Medical Information about you. It also
describes your rights and certain obligations we have regarding the use and disclosure of your
Medical Information.
We are required by law to:
• Maintain the privacy of your Medical Information.
• Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to
information we collect and maintain about you.
• Follow the terms of this Notice or a Notice that is in effect at the time Advocate Health
Care uses or discloses your Medical Information.
USES AND DISCLOSURES OF YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION
The following categories describe different ways in which we may use and disclose your Medical
Information. With respect to use and disclosure of your Medical Information for Treatment,
Payment and Health Care Operations, we may share your Medical Information with any of the
entities referenced in this Notice, or any physician or other health care provider as allowed by law
For Treatment. We may use your Medical Information to provide, coordinate or manage your
medical treatment and related services. Your Medical Information can be shared with physicians,
nurses, technicians and others involved in your care and these individuals will collect and
document information about you in your medical record. To assure immediate continuity of care,
we may disclose information to a physician or other health care provider who will be assuming
your care. For example, different departments may share your Medical Information to coordinate
the different services you may need such as prescriptions, lab work, meals and X-rays or other
diagnostic tests.
For Payment. We may use and disclose your Medical Information so that the treatments and
services you receive may be billed and payment may be collected from you, an insurance
company or a third party. For example, we may need to give information about the surgery you
received to your health plan so your health plan will pay us or reimburse you for the surgery. We
also may tell your health plan about a treatment you are going to receive to obtain prior approval
or to determine whether your plan will cover the treatment.
.
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For Health Care Operations. We may use and disclose your Medical Information in connection
with our health care operations including, but not limited to the following:
• Quality assessment and improvement activities.
• Related functions that do not include treatment.
• Competence or qualification reviews of health care professionals.
• Training programs, accreditation, certification, licensing or credentialing activities.
Directory (Hospitals Only). When you are a patient in our hospital, we may list your name, room
location, general condition (such as fair or stable), and religious affiliation in the hospital’s
inpatient directory. This directory information, except for your religious affiliation, may be
provided to people who ask for you by name. We may disclose your name, room location,
general condition, and religious affiliation to a member of the clergy who asks for you by your
name or by your listed religious affiliation. We may also disclose your name and general
condition to a member of the media who asks for you by name. If you do not want to be listed
in our hospital directory or do not want us to give such information to members of either
the clergy, media, or general public, you must inform your nurse or a registration
coordinator. Please note that if you are not listed in our hospital directory, we will tell all
individuals who ask for you at the visitors’ desks or who call the operator that you are not
currently a patient.
If you are receiving mental health or alcohol/substance abuse services in an inpatient behavioral
health unit during this hospitalization, we will not disclose any information without your prior
written authorization.
Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment for Your Care. We may disclose the minimum
necessary Medical Information about you to a family member, other relative, close personal
friend or any other person you identify who is involved in your medical care. We also may
disclose the minimum necessary information to someone who helps pay for your care. In an
emergency or other situation where you are not able to identify your chosen person(s) to receive
communications about you, we may exercise our professional judgment to determine whether
such a disclosure is in your best interest, who is the appropriate person(s) and what Medical
Information is relevant to their involvement with your health care. We may also disclose your
Medical Information to an organization, such as the American Red Cross which is assisting in a
disaster relief effort, so that your family can be notified about your condition, status and location.
Research. Under certain circumstances, we may use or disclose your Medical Information to
identify you as a potential candidate for a research study that has been approved by an
Institutional Review Board. This approval is given after an evaluation of a proposed research
project and its uses of Medical Information, and always with an effort to balance the requirements
of sound research with patients’ need for privacy of their Medical Information. We may disclose
Medical Information about you to people preparing to conduct a research project, for example,
to help
them look for patients with specific medical needs, so long as the Medical Information
they review
does not leave the site.
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For Health Care Operations. We may use and disclose your Medical Information in connection
with our health care operations including, but not limited to the following:
• Quality assessment and improvement activities.
• Related functions that do not include treatment.
• Competence or qualification reviews of health care professionals.
• Training programs, accreditation, certification, licensing or credentialing activities.
Directory (Hospitals Only). When you are a patient in our hospital, we may list your name, room
location, general condition (such as fair or stable), and religious affiliation in the hospital’s
inpatient directory. This directory information, except for your religious affiliation, may be
provided to people who ask for you by name. We may disclose your name, room location,
general condition, and religious affiliation to a member of the clergy who asks for you by your
name or by your listed religious affiliation. We may also disclose your name and general
condition to a member of the media who asks for you by name. If you do not want to be listed
in our hospital directory or do not want us to give such information to members of either
the clergy, media, or general public, you must inform your nurse or a registration
coordinator. Please note that if you are not listed in our hospital directory, we will tell all
individuals who ask for you at the visitors’ desks or who call the operator that you are not
currently a patient.
If you are receiving mental health or alcohol/substance abuse services in an inpatient behavioral
health unit during this hospitalization, we will not disclose any information without your prior
written authorization.
Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment for Your Care. We may disclose the minimum
necessary Medical Information about you to a family member, other relative, close personal
friend or any other person you identify who is involved in your medical care. We also may
disclose the minimum necessary information to someone who helps pay for your care. In an
emergency or other situation where you are not able to identify your chosen person(s) to receive
communications about you, we may exercise our professional judgment to determine whether
such a disclosure is in your best interest, who is the appropriate person(s) and what Medical
Information is relevant to their involvement with your health care. We may also disclose your
Medical Information to an organization, such as the American Red Cross which is assisting in a
disaster relief effort, so that your family can be notified about your condition, status and location.
Research. Under certain circumstances, we may use or disclose your Medical Information to
identify you as a potential candidate for a research study that has been approved by an
Institutional Review Board. This approval is given after an evaluation of a proposed research
project and its uses of Medical Information, and always with an effort to balance the requirements
of sound research with patients’ need for privacy of their Medical Information. We may disclose
Medical Information about you to people preparing to conduct a research project, for example,
to help
them look for patients with specific medical needs, so long as the Medical Information
they review
does not leave the site.
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To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety. As required by law, we may disclose Medical
Information about you when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health or safety or the
health and safety of the public or another person. Any disclosure of this kind, however, would be
made only to someone able to help prevent the threat.
Business Associates. We provide some services through other persons or companies that need
access to your health information to carry out these services. The law refers to these persons or
companies as our Business Associates. We may disclose, as allowed by law, your health
information to our Business Associates so that they can do the job we have contracted with them
to do. Examples of Business Associates include companies that assist with billing services or
copying medical records. We may send other business associates called registries (such as a
Cancer Registry) summarized information about patients who have been treated with similar
problems such as cancer or trauma, to help physicians improve the quality of care for other
patients with similar problems. We require through a written contract that our Business
Associates use appropriate safeguards to ensure the privacy of your Medical Information.
Fundraising. Advocate Health Care is a not-for-profit organization that relies on charitable gifts
to support its mission. In the continuing effort to enhance Advocate Health Care’s capacity to
conduct its mission of service to patients and families, periodic communications and invitations to
donate may be sent to patients’ families and friends of Advocate Health Care by Advocate
Charitable Foundation. The law allows us to share minimal information about you with our
fundraising foundation; however, we will not share your information with other organizations for
fundraising purposes. If you do not wish to receive communications from Advocate Charitable
Foundation, please write to Advocate Charitable Foundation, 205 W. Touhy, Suite 225, Park
Ridge, IL 60068, call 847-384-3400, or email acf-[email protected].
Advocate Charitable Foundation may on occasion visit you during your stay in the hospital in
order to inquire about the quality of your stay or to offer any needed assistance. If you do not
want Advocate Charitable Foundation to be informed about your hospital stay, please inform your
nurse or a registration coordinator during your stay at the hospital.
Other Communications with You. We may use and disclose your Medical Information to contact
you at the address and telephone numbers you give us about scheduled or canceled appointments
with your physicians or other health care team members, registration or insurance updates, billing
and/or payment matters, information about patient care issues, treatment choices and follow-up
care instruction, and other health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you.
Unless you tell us otherwise, we may leave messages about appointments or other reminders on
your telephone or with a person who answers the phone.
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To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety. As required by law, we may disclose Medical
Information about you when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health or safety or the
health and safety of the public or another person. Any disclosure of this kind, however, would be
made only to someone able to help prevent the threat.
Business Associates. We provide some services through other persons or companies that need
access to your health information to carry out these services. The law refers to these persons or
companies as our Business Associates. We may disclose, as allowed by law, your health
information to our Business Associates so that they can do the job we have contracted with them
to do. Examples of Business Associates include companies that assist with billing services or
copying medical records. We may send other business associates called registries (such as a
Cancer Registry) summarized information about patients who have been treated with similar
problems such as cancer or trauma, to help physicians improve the quality of care for other
patients with similar problems. We require through a written contract that our Business
Associates use appropriate safeguards to ensure the privacy of your Medical Information.
Fundraising. Advocate Health Care is a not-for-profit organization that relies on charitable gifts
to support its mission. In the continuing effort to enhance Advocate Health Care’s capacity to
conduct its mission of service to patients and families, periodic communications and invitations to
donate may be sent to patients’ families and friends of Advocate Health Care by Advocate
Charitable Foundation. The law allows us to share minimal information about you with our
fundraising foundation; however, we will not share your information with other organizations for
fundraising purposes. If you do not wish to receive communications from Advocate Charitable
Foundation, please write to Advocate Charitable Foundation, 205 W. Touhy, Suite 225, Park
Ridge, IL 60068, call 847-384-3400, or email acf-[email protected].
Advocate Charitable Foundation may on occasion visit you during your stay in the hospital in
order to inquire about the quality of your stay or to offer any needed assistance. If you do not
want Advocate Charitable Foundation to be informed about your hospital stay, please inform your
nurse or a registration coordinator during your stay at the hospital.
Other Communications with You. We may use and disclose your Medical Information to contact
you at the address and telephone numbers you give us about scheduled or canceled appointments
with your physicians or other health care team members, registration or insurance updates, billing
and/or payment matters, information about patient care issues, treatment choices and follow-up
care instruction, and other health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you.
Unless you tell us otherwise, we may leave messages about appointments or other reminders on
your telephone or with a person who answers the phone.
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Special Situations
Lawsuits and Disputes. We may disclose your Medical Information in the course of a judicial and
administrative proceeding, in response to an order of a court or other tribunal to the extent that
such disclosure is authorized and, in certain conditions, in response to a subpoena, discovery
request or other lawful process.
Law Enforcement. We may disclose your Medical Information to the police or other law
enforcement officials as part of law enforcement activities, in investigations of criminal conduct,
in response to a court order, in emergency circumstances, or when otherwise required to do so by
law.
Coroners, Medical Examiners and Funeral Directors. We may release Medical Information
about you to a coroner or medical examiner as necessary to identify a deceased person or to
determine the cause of death. We also may release your Medical Information to funeral directors
as necessary for them to carry out their duties.
Organ and Tissue Donation. If you are an organ donor, we may release your Medical
Information to organizations that obtain organs or handle organ, eye or tissue transplantation. We
may also release your Medical Information to an organ bank to arrange for organ or tissue
donation and transplantation.
Military and Veterans. If you are a member of the military or a veteran, we may release your
Medical Information to the proper authorities so they may carry out their duties under the law.
Inmates. If you are an inmate in a correctional institution or in the custody of a law enforcement
official, we may disclose Medical Information about you to the correctional institution or law
enforcement official as necessary so that their duties can be carried out under the law.
Workers Compensation. We may disclose your Medical Information as allowed or required by
Illinois law relating to workers’ compensation benefits for work-related injuries or illness or to
other similar programs.
Public Health Activities. We may be required to report your Medical Information to authorities to
help prevent or control disease, injuries or disability. This may include using your Medical
Information to report certain diseases, injuries and birth and death information. This also may
include reporting certain drug reactions with products or notification of product recalls. We also
may be required to report to your employer certain work-related illnesses or injuries so that your
workplace can be monitored for safety. The appropriate government authorities may also be
notified if we believe a patient has been the victim of child or elder abuse, neglect or domestic
violence. These reports will be made in compliance with state and federal law and will be limited
to the requirements of the law.
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Special Situations
Lawsuits and Disputes. We may disclose your Medical Information in the course of a judicial and
administrative proceeding, in response to an order of a court or other tribunal to the extent that
such disclosure is authorized and, in certain conditions, in response to a subpoena, discovery
request or other lawful process.
Law Enforcement. We may disclose your Medical Information to the police or other law
enforcement officials as part of law enforcement activities, in investigations of criminal conduct,
in response to a court order, in emergency circumstances, or when otherwise required to do so by
law.
Coroners, Medical Examiners and Funeral Directors. We may release Medical Information
about you to a coroner or medical examiner as necessary to identify a deceased person or to
determine the cause of death. We also may release your Medical Information to funeral directors
as necessary for them to carry out their duties.
Organ and Tissue Donation. If you are an organ donor, we may release your Medical
Information to organizations that obtain organs or handle organ, eye or tissue transplantation. We
may also release your Medical Information to an organ bank to arrange for organ or tissue
donation and transplantation.
Military and Veterans. If you are a member of the military or a veteran, we may release your
Medical Information to the proper authorities so they may carry out their duties under the law.
Inmates. If you are an inmate in a correctional institution or in the custody of a law enforcement
official, we may disclose Medical Information about you to the correctional institution or law
enforcement official as necessary so that their duties can be carried out under the law.
Workers Compensation. We may disclose your Medical Information as allowed or required by
Illinois law relating to workers’ compensation benefits for work-related injuries or illness or to
other similar programs.
Public Health Activities. We may be required to report your Medical Information to authorities to
help prevent or control disease, injuries or disability. This may include using your Medical
Information to report certain diseases, injuries and birth and death information. This also may
include reporting certain drug reactions with products or notification of product recalls. We also
may be required to report to your employer certain work-related illnesses or injuries so that your
workplace can be monitored for safety. The appropriate government authorities may also be
notified if we believe a patient has been the victim of child or elder abuse, neglect or domestic
violence. These reports will be made in compliance with state and federal law and will be limited
to the requirements of the law.
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Health Oversight Activities and Specialized Government Functions. We may disclose your
Medical Information to local, state or federal government authorities or agencies that oversee
health care systems and ensure compliance with the rules of government health programs, such as
Medicare or Medicaid and, under certain circumstances, to the U.S. Military or U.S. Department
of State.
Marketing. We will not use or disclose your Medical Information for marketing purposes without
your written authorization.
Uses and Disclosures Not Covered in this Notice. Other uses and disclosures of your Medical
Information will be made only with your written permission unless otherwise permitted or
required by law. If you provide us with permission to use or disclose Medical Information about
you, you may revoke that permission in writing at any time. If you revoke your permission, we
will no longer use or disclose Medical Information about you for the reasons covered by your
written permission. Please understand that we are unable to take back any disclosures already
made with your permission and that we are required to retain the records of the care provided to
you.
YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION
You have the following rights regarding the Medical Information we maintain about you:
Right to Inspect and Copy. You have the right to see and obtain a copy of your Medical
Information. This includes medical and billing records, but does not include psychotherapy notes.
You may request a copy in an electronic format if the Advocate Health Care site of care maintains
your Medical Information in an electronic format. To see and/or obtain copies of this information,
you must submit your request in writing. The Authorization for Release of Patient Health
Information form is available from the medical records department at each Advocate Health Care
site of care.
If you request a copy of your Medical Information, we may charge a reasonable fee for the costs
of copying and mailing or for other expenses associated with complying with your request. We
may deny your request to see and/or obtain copies of your Medical Information in very limited
circumstances. If you are denied access to your Medical Information, you may request that the
denial be reviewed. A licensed health care professional chosen by Advocate Health Care will
review your request and the denial. The person conducting the review will not be the person who
denied your request. We will comply with the decision that is the outcome of the review.
Right to Amend. If you feel that the Medical Information we have on record is inaccurate or
incomplete, you have the right to request an amendment as long as the information is kept by or
for Advocate Health Care. If the Medical Information is kept by another hospital or provider, we
cannot act on your request. You must contact them directly. Your request for an amendment must
be in writing and must state the reasons for the request. The written request can be made on the
Request for Amendment to the Record form available in the medical records department at each
Advocate Health Care site of care. We may deny your request for an amendment if it is not in
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Health Oversight Activities and Specialized Government Functions. We may disclose your
Medical Information to local, state or federal government authorities or agencies that oversee
health care systems and ensure compliance with the rules of government health programs, such as
Medicare or Medicaid and, under certain circumstances, to the U.S. Military or U.S. Department
of State.
Marketing. We will not use or disclose your Medical Information for marketing purposes without
your written authorization.
Uses and Disclosures Not Covered in this Notice. Other uses and disclosures of your Medical
Information will be made only with your written permission unless otherwise permitted or
required by law. If you provide us with permission to use or disclose Medical Information about
you, you may revoke that permission in writing at any time. If you revoke your permission, we
will no longer use or disclose Medical Information about you for the reasons covered by your
written permission. Please understand that we are unable to take back any disclosures already
made with your permission and that we are required to retain the records of the care provided to
you.
YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION
You have the following rights regarding the Medical Information we maintain about you:
Right to Inspect and Copy. You have the right to see and obtain a copy of your Medical
Information. This includes medical and billing records, but does not include psychotherapy notes.
You may request a copy in an electronic format if the Advocate Health Care site of care maintains
your Medical Information in an electronic format. To see and/or obtain copies of this information,
you must submit your request in writing. The Authorization for Release of Patient Health
Information form is available from the medical records department at each Advocate Health Care
site of care.
If you request a copy of your Medical Information, we may charge a reasonable fee for the costs
of copying and mailing or for other expenses associated with complying with your request. We
may deny your request to see and/or obtain copies of your Medical Information in very limited
circumstances. If you are denied access to your Medical Information, you may request that the
denial be reviewed. A licensed health care professional chosen by Advocate Health Care will
review your request and the denial. The person conducting the review will not be the person who
denied your request. We will comply with the decision that is the outcome of the review.
Right to Amend. If you feel that the Medical Information we have on record is inaccurate or
incomplete, you have the right to request an amendment as long as the information is kept by or
for Advocate Health Care. If the Medical Information is kept by another hospital or provider, we
cannot act on your request. You must contact them directly. Your request for an amendment must
be in writing and must state the reasons for the request. The written request can be made on the
Request for Amendment to the Record form available in the medical records department at each
Advocate Health Care site of care. We may deny your request for an amendment if it is not in
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writing or does not include a reason to support the request. We are not obligated to make all
requested amendments, but will give each request careful consideration. If your request is denied,
you have the right to send a letter of objection that will then be attached to your permanent
medical record. Please note that even if we accept your request, we may not delete any
information already documented in your medical record.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures. You have the right to ask us for an “accounting of
disclosures.” This is a listing of those individuals or entities that have received your Medical
Information from Advocate.
The listing will not cover Medical Information that was given to you or your personal
representative or to others with your permission. In addition, it will not cover Medical
Information that was given in order to:
• Provide or arrange care for you;
• Facilitate payment for your healthcare services; and/or
• Assist Advocate Health Care in its operations.
Your request for an accounting of disclosures must be made on the Request for Accounting of
Disclosures form available in the medical records department at your Advocate Health Care site
of care. The list will include only the disclosures made for the time period indicated in your
request, but may not exceed a six-year period or include dates before April 14, 2003. The first list
you request within a 12-month period will be free. For additional lists, we may charge you for the
reasonable costs associated with providing the list. We will notify you of costs involved. You
may choose to withdraw or modify your request at any time before costs are incurred.
Right to Request Restrictions. You have the right to ask us to restrict or limit the Medical
Information we use or disclose about you for treatment, payment or healthcare operations. In
addition, if you pay for a particular service in full, out-of-pocket, on the date of service, you may
ask us not to disclose any related Medical Information to your health plan. Unless required by
law, we are not required to agree to all requests. If we do agree, we will comply unless the
information is needed to provide emergency treatment.
Right to Request Confidential Communications. You have the right to ask us to communicate
with you about medical matters in a certain way or at a certain location. For example, you may
ask that we contact you only by sending materials to a P.O. Box instead of your home address.
We will not ask the reason for your request and we will accommodate all reasonable requests.
Your request must specify how or where you wish to be contacted.
Right to a Paper Copy of this Notice. Upon your request, you may at any time obtain a paper
copy of this Notice. To do so, please contact the Advocate Health Care site HIPAA Coordinator.
You also may access a copy of this Notice on our web site at www.advocatehealth.com.
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writing or does not include a reason to support the request. We are not obligated to make all
requested amendments, but will give each request careful consideration. If your request is denied,
you have the right to send a letter of objection that will then be attached to your permanent
medical record. Please note that even if we accept your request, we may not delete any
information already documented in your medical record.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures. You have the right to ask us for an “accounting of
disclosures.” This is a listing of those individuals or entities that have received your Medical
Information from Advocate.
The listing will not cover Medical Information that was given to you or your personal
representative or to others with your permission. In addition, it will not cover Medical
Information that was given in order to:
• Provide or arrange care for you;
• Facilitate payment for your healthcare services; and/or
• Assist Advocate Health Care in its operations.
Your request for an accounting of disclosures must be made on the Request for Accounting of
Disclosures form available in the medical records department at your Advocate Health Care site
of care. The list will include only the disclosures made for the time period indicated in your
request, but may not exceed a six-year period or include dates before April 14, 2003. The first list
you request within a 12-month period will be free. For additional lists, we may charge you for the
reasonable costs associated with providing the list. We will notify you of costs involved. You
may choose to withdraw or modify your request at any time before costs are incurred.
Right to Request Restrictions. You have the right to ask us to restrict or limit the Medical
Information we use or disclose about you for treatment, payment or healthcare operations. In
addition, if you pay for a particular service in full, out-of-pocket, on the date of service, you may
ask us not to disclose any related Medical Information to your health plan. Unless required by
law, we are not required to agree to all requests. If we do agree, we will comply unless the
information is needed to provide emergency treatment.
Right to Request Confidential Communications. You have the right to ask us to communicate
with you about medical matters in a certain way or at a certain location. For example, you may
ask that we contact you only by sending materials to a P.O. Box instead of your home address.
We will not ask the reason for your request and we will accommodate all reasonable requests.
Your request must specify how or where you wish to be contacted.
Right to a Paper Copy of this Notice. Upon your request, you may at any time obtain a paper
copy of this Notice. To do so, please contact the Advocate Health Care site HIPAA Coordinator.
You also may access a copy of this Notice on our web site at www.advocatehealth.com.
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NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
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Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to change our privacy practices, policies and procedures and our Notice of
Privacy Practices. We also reserve the right to make the revised privacy policies, procedures and
Notice effective for Medical Information we already have about you as well as any information
we receive in the future. We will post a copy of the current Notice in Advocate Health Care
facilities and this Notice will contain the new effective date on the first page. In addition, each
time you register or are admitted to Advocate Health Care as an inpatient or outpatient, a copy of
the current Notice will be available upon request
Right to File A Complaint
If you have any questions or would like to report a privacy concern, please contact the
appropriate contact person for the Advocate Health Care site in question (see below).
If you believe Advocate Health Care has violated your privacy rights, you may file a
complaint with Advocate Health Care or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”). We will not retaliate against you if you file a
complaint with us or with the OCR.
Hospitals
To Report a Privacy Concern Please
Contact:
Advocate BroMenn Medical Center Corporate Integrity Hotline
(309) 268-2925
Advocate Christ Medical Center
Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital
Advocate Condell Medical Center
Patient Relations
(708) 346-5452
Patient Representatives
(847) 990-5443
Advocate Eureka Hospital Corporate Integrity Hotline
(309) 268-2925
Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Care Line
(630) 275-2273
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Patient Relations
(847) 842-4331
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Patient Relations and Experience
(773) 296-8230
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
Advocate Lutheran General Children’s Hospital
Patient Relations
(847) 723-6011
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ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
8
Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to change our privacy practices, policies and procedures and our Notice of
Privacy Practices. We also reserve the right to make the revised privacy policies, procedures and
Notice effective for Medical Information we already have about you as well as any information
we receive in the future. We will post a copy of the current Notice in Advocate Health Care
facilities and this Notice will contain the new effective date on the first page. In addition, each
time you register or are admitted to Advocate Health Care as an inpatient or outpatient, a copy of
the current Notice will be available upon request
Right to File A Complaint
If you have any questions or would like to report a privacy concern, please contact the
appropriate contact person for the Advocate Health Care site in question (see below).
If you believe Advocate Health Care has violated your privacy rights, you may file a
complaint with Advocate Health Care or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”). We will not retaliate against you if you file a
complaint with us or with the OCR.
Hospitals
To Report a Privacy Concern Please
Contact:
Advocate BroMenn Medical Center Corporate Integrity Hotline
(309) 268-2925
Advocate Christ Medical Center
Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital
Advocate Condell Medical Center
Patient Relations
(708) 346-5452
Patient Representatives
(847) 990-5443
Advocate Eureka Hospital Corporate Integrity Hotline
(309) 268-2925
Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Care Line
(630) 275-2273
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Patient Relations
(847) 842-4331
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Patient Relations and Experience
(773) 296-8230
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
Advocate Lutheran General Children’s Hospital
Patient Relations
(847) 723-6011
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ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
9
Advocate South Suburban Hospital HIPAA Coordinator
(708) 213-3155
Advocate Trinity Hospital Privacy Hot Line
(773) 967-4472
Medical Groups
Advocate Medical Group Advocate Medical Group Privacy Hotline
(312) 674-2199
(309) 268-2925
Dreyer Medical Clinic Dreyer Privacy Line
(630) 906-5053
Other Services
High Tech Medical Park High Tech Privacy Line
(708) 923-3270
Advocate Occupational Health
Privacy Coordinator
(847) 384-3581
Advocate Home Care Products
Advocate Home Health Services
Advocate Hospice
Clinical Excellence
(630) 368-6623 or (630) 368-5993
Chief Privacy Officer Advocate Support Centers
(630) 684-9373
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NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
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Advocate South Suburban Hospital HIPAA Coordinator
(708) 213-3155
Advocate Trinity Hospital Privacy Hot Line
(773) 967-4472
Medical Groups
Advocate Medical Group Advocate Medical Group Privacy Hotline
(312) 674-2199
(309) 268-2925
Dreyer Medical Clinic Dreyer Privacy Line
(630) 906-5053
Other Services
High Tech Medical Park High Tech Privacy Line
(708) 923-3270
Advocate Occupational Health
Privacy Coordinator
(847) 384-3581
Advocate Home Care Products
Advocate Home Health Services
Advocate Hospice
Clinical Excellence
(630) 368-6623 or (630) 368-5993
Chief Privacy Officer Advocate Support Centers
(630) 684-9373