Privacy Practices at CB Counseling, PC
Last updated: December 1, 2024
- We protect your personal health information (PHI) and follow HIPAA rules.
- We use your information only to provide care, manage services, handle billing, and meet legal requirements.
- You have rights over your information, including access, correction, and limits on certain uses.
Our Commitment to Your Privacy, your privacy matters. We create and maintain records of your care to provide quality mental health services and meet legal requirements. This notice explains:
- How we may use and share your PHI
- When we need your permission first
- Your rights regarding your health information
How We Use and Share Your Information For Treatment, Payment, and Health Care OperationsWe may use or share your PHI without written permission to:
- Coordinate your care and consult with other providers
- Bill your insurance or process payments
- Manage practice operations
Example: Consulting another licensed provider to help with your diagnosis or treatment.
When the Law Requires It, we may share your information without permission if required by law, including:
- Reporting abuse or preventing serious threats to health or safety
- Responding to court orders or legal processes
- Complying with audits or investigations
Other Situations That Do Not Require Permission:
- Public health reporting
- Law enforcement requests
- Medical examiner or coroner duties
- Research approved by law
- Workers’ compensation claims
- Appointment reminders and information about other services we offer
Situations That Do Require Your Permission. We will not share your information for:
- Marketing purposes
- Selling your PHI
- Psychotherapy notes — unless required by law or for your care, training, or certain investigations
Disclosures You Can Object To: We may share your PHI with family, friends, or others involved in your care unless you tell us not to. In emergencies, we may share first and ask you afterward.
Your Rights
- Limit Sharing: Ask us to limit certain uses or disclosures (we may not always agree if it affects your care)
- Restrict to Health Plans: Limit sharing with your insurer if you paid in full for a service.
- Choose Contact Method: Decide how we communicate with you (phone, email, mail).
- See & Get Copies: Request an electronic or paper copy of your record (some fees may apply).
- Get a List of Disclosures: See who we’ve shared your PHI with (other than for care, payment, or operations).
- Correct Your Record: Request corrections if something is wrong or missing.
- Get a Copy of This Notice: Available in paper or by email anytime.
Communication by Text or Email
Text Messaging: We cannot guarantee confidentiality for text communication. If you text us, you accept the risks that come with it.
Email: Emails sent to or from CB Counseling may not be fully HIPAA-compliant on your end. We encrypt our emails during sending, but security on arrival depends on your email provider.
Changes to This Notice: We may change our privacy practices at any time. The updated notice will be posted here and available in our office.
Questions or Concerns?
Contact CB Counseling, PC
708.416.6315
christine@cbcounselingservices.com