The Bodhi Clinic Privacy Notice
Notice of Privacy Practices
This Notice describes how your medical information may be used and disclosed, and how you can access this information. Please review it carefully.
At The Bodhi Clinic, protecting your personal health information is a priority. We are legally required under federal and applicable state laws to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information (“PHI”). PHI includes any information that can identify you and relates to your health condition, treatment, or payment for healthcare services.
Privacy Laws and Protections
We comply with all applicable federal and Minnesota state privacy laws governing the use and disclosure of medical information. When state and federal regulations differ, we follow the standard that provides the greater level of privacy protection or patient rights.
Certain Minnesota laws may require written consent for some types of disclosures outside of treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, unless otherwise permitted by law.
How We Use and Share Your Health Information
For Treatment
We may use and share your health information to provide, coordinate, or manage your care. This may include communication with other healthcare providers involved in your treatment, referrals, or coordination of services.
For Payment
Your information may be used to obtain payment for services provided. This may include billing your insurance company, verifying coverage, or providing necessary documentation for reimbursement.
For Healthcare Operations
We may use your information for internal clinic operations, such as quality improvement, staff training, compliance monitoring, and administrative activities that help us provide safe and effective care.
Business Associates
Some services (such as billing, electronic health record systems, or legal/consulting services) may be provided by third-party partners. These partners are required to protect your information and follow privacy standards consistent with this Notice.
Appointment Communications
We may contact you regarding upcoming appointments, follow-up care, or relevant health services. This may include phone calls, voicemail messages, text messages (if opted in), email, or patient portal notifications.
Involvement of Others in Your Care
When appropriate, we may share limited health information with family members, caregivers, or others involved in your care or payment, unless you request restrictions.
When Authorization Is Required
Certain uses or disclosures of your health information are not permitted without your written authorization. You may choose to allow additional sharing of your information by signing a written authorization.
You may revoke this authorization at any time in writing. Revocation will not affect any actions already taken based on prior authorization.
Permitted Disclosures Without Authorization
In specific situations, the law allows or requires us to disclose health information without your written permission. These may include:
Public health reporting (such as communicable diseases or safety concerns)
Reporting abuse, neglect, or domestic violence when required
Compliance with legal proceedings or court orders
Law enforcement requirements
Health oversight activities (such as audits or investigations)
Medical examiner or coroner duties
Organ and tissue donation coordination
Workers’ compensation claims
Preventing or reducing a serious threat to health or safety
Certain government or correctional institution requirements
FDA-related reporting for product safety issues
Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
Right to Request Restrictions
You may request limits on how your information is used or shared. While we will carefully consider all requests, we are not required to agree in all situations, especially when care or safety could be affected.
Right to Request Confidential Communication
You may ask us to contact you in a specific way or at a specific location (for example, only by phone or only at work). We will accommodate reasonable requests whenever possible.
Right to Access Your Records
You may request to view or obtain copies of your medical and billing records. Requests must be made in writing. A reasonable fee may apply for copying or mailing records, as permitted by law.
In certain limited circumstances, access may be restricted, and we will provide an explanation if a request is denied.
Right to Request Corrections
If you believe information in your record is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment in writing. We may deny requests in specific situations, such as if the information is accurate or not created by our clinic.
Right to Receive an Accounting of Disclosures
You may request a list of certain disclosures of your health information made outside of treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. This list may include disclosures made up to six years prior to your request.
One free request is allowed per year; additional requests may involve a reasonable fee.
Right to Receive a Copy of This Notice
You may request a paper or electronic copy of this Privacy Notice at any time.
Changes to This Notice
We may update this Privacy Notice as needed to reflect changes in laws or clinic practices. Updated versions will be posted on our website and made available upon request.
Questions or Concerns
If you have questions about this Notice or believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may contact us directly. You also have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
We fully support your right to privacy and will not take any action against you for raising concerns or filing a complaint.