Ear, Nose & Throat Associates of Worcester, Inc.
Christopher C. Charon, M.D.
Notice of Information (Privacy) Practices
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.
Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Request that we restrict how we use or disclose your medical information. (We may not be able to comply with all requests).
- Request that we use a specific telephone number or address to communicate with you.
- Request in writing to inspect your medical record.
- Request, in writing with your authorization for release, a copy of your medical information (fees may apply).
- Request, in writing, additions of corrections to your medical information (reason required).
- Request in writing and receive an accounting of how your medical information was disclosed (excludes disclosure for treatment, payment, health care operations and some required disclosures).
- Obtains a paper copy of this notice.
- Opt out of receiving fundraising material from the office.
- A patient who pays for a service in full and out-of-pocket can request that our office not disclose any information about that service to an insurance company. This request must be in writing specifically requesting what information the patient wants to restrict and what insurance company is not to receive it.
Patient Privacy
At ENT Associates of Worcester your privacy is a priority. We follow strict federal and state guidelines to maintain the confidentiality of your medical information.
How do we use Medical Information?
When you visit ENT Associates of Worcester, we use your medical information to treat you, to obtain payment for services, and to conduct normal business known as health care operations.
Examples of how we use your information include:
TREATMENT – We keep a record of each visit/treatment. This record may include your test results, diagnoses, medications and your response to medications and other therapies. This allows your doctor to provide the best care to meet your needs.
PAYMENT – We document the services and supplies you receive at each visit to that you, your insurance company or another third-party can pay us. We may tell your health plan about upcoming treatment or services that require their prior approval.
HEALTH CARE OPERATIONS – Medical information is used to improve the services we provide, to train staff and students, for business management, performance improvement and for customer service.
Other Services
We may also use information to:
- Recommend treatment alternatives.
- Tell you about health benefits and services.
- Communicate with other health care organizations or associates for treatment, payment, or health care operations. Business associates must follow our strict privacy rules.
- At your request/with your permission, communication with family or friends involved in your care.
- Send appointment recall reminders.
Information we share
There are limited times when we are permitted or required to disclose medical information without your signed permission. These situations are listed below:
- For public health activities such as tracking diseases of medical devices.
- To protect victims of abuse or neglect.
- For federal and state health oversight activities such as fraud investigations.
- For judicial or administrative proceedings.
- If required by law or for law enforcement.
- To coroners, medical examiners and funeral directors.
- To avert serious threat to public health or safety.
- For specialized government functions such as national security or intelligence.
- To Worker’s Compensations if you are injured at work.
- To a correctional institution if you are an inmate.
- For research following strict internal review to ensure protection of information.
All other uses and disclosures, not previously described, may only be done with your signed authorization. You may revoke your authorization, in writing, at any time.
Disclosures that require Authorization
Certain disclosures and sues of protected information will require your authorization. They include:
- Psychotherapy notes. (The notes of a mental health professional that are separate from the record.)
- Any information the office will use for marketing.
- Any sale of the office’s patient information.
Our Responsibilities
ENT Associates of Worcester is required by law to:
- Maintain the privacy of your medical information.
- Notify you in writing if or when a breach in your protected information occurs.
- Provide this notice of our duties and privacy practices.
- Abide by the terms of the notice currently in effect.
We reserve the right to change privacy practices and make the new practices effective for all the information we maintain. Revised notices will be posted in our facilities and available for you.
To Contact Us
If you would like to exercise your rights, or if you feel your privacy rights have been violated contact the Privacy Officer:
Robert Gale
Phone (508) 791-6305
Fax: (508) 791-6309
475 Pleasant Street
Worcester, MA 01609
All complaints will be thoroughly investigated, and you will not suffer retaliation for filing a complaint. You may also file a complaint with the Secretary of health and Human Services in Washington, D.C.