Our Legal Duties

Vibrant Medical Wellness ("we," "our," or "the Practice") is required by law to:

• Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information ("PHI")
• Provide you with this Notice describing our legal duties and privacy practices
• Follow the terms of this Notice currently in effect
• Notify you following a breach of unsecured PHI as required by law

We reserve the right to change this Notice at any time. Any changes will apply to both current and past PHI we maintain. The revised Notice will be made available upon request and, when applicable, posted on our website.

You may request a copy of this Notice at any time by contacting us at:
Phone: 704-235-0559
Email: staff@vibrantmedicalwellness.com

How We May Use and Disclose Protected Health Information

We may use or disclose your PHI only as permitted or required by law, including the following circumstances:

1. Treatment

We may use and disclose PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare and related services. This includes disclosures to physicians, nurses, laboratories, pharmacies, specialists, trainees, and other healthcare professionals involved in your care.

2. Payment

We may use and disclose PHI to obtain payment for services provided to you, including billing, claims management, eligibility verification, prior authorizations, and reimbursement activities involving insurance companies or third-party payers.

3. Healthcare Operations

We may use and disclose PHI for practice operations, including quality assessment, training, credentialing, licensing, auditing, compliance activities, care coordination, and internal administrative purposes.

4. Business Associates

We may disclose PHI to third-party vendors ("business associates") that perform services on our behalf (such as billing, IT support, electronic health record systems, or telehealth platforms). All business associates are required by law and contract to safeguard your PHI.

5. Appointment Reminders & Care Communications

We may contact you via phone, email, text message, or patient portal to provide appointment reminders, lab notifications, follow-up instructions, treatment communications, or other healthcare-related messages. Standard messaging rates may apply.

6. Individuals Involved in Your Care

With your verbal permission, or when given the opportunity to object and you do not do so, we may disclose PHI to family members, caregivers, or others involved in your care or payment for care. If you are unable to consent, we may disclose information if we believe it is in your best interest based on professional judgment.

7. Research

We will not use or disclose your PHI for research purposes without your written authorization unless permitted by law with appropriate safeguards in place.

8. Public Health & Safety

We may disclose PHI to public health authorities for purposes such as disease prevention, reporting adverse drug reactions, product recalls, or preventing serious threats to health or safety, as required or permitted by law.

9. Health Oversight Activities

We may disclose PHI to government agencies for audits, investigations, inspections, or licensing activities necessary to oversee the healthcare system and ensure compliance with the law.

10. Required by Law

We will disclose PHI when required to do so by federal, state, or local law.

11. Workers' Compensation

We may disclose PHI as authorized by workers' compensation or similar programs.

12. Legal Proceedings & Law Enforcement

We may disclose PHI in response to a court order, subpoena, warrant, or other lawful process, consistent with applicable legal requirements.

13. Organ & Tissue Donation

If you are an organ donor, we may disclose PHI to organizations involved in organ, eye, or tissue procurement or transplantation.

Marketing, Sale of Information & Authorization

• We do not sell your protected health information.
• We will not use or disclose PHI for marketing purposes without your prior written authorization, except for limited communications permitted by law.
• You may revoke any authorization in writing at any time. Revocation will not affect disclosures already made.

Your Rights Regarding Protected Health Information

You have the right to:

Access & Copies

Request access to or copies of your PHI. Requests must be submitted in writing. Reasonable fees may apply as permitted by law.

Amendments

Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete PHI. Requests must be in writing with supporting explanation. We may deny requests as permitted by law and will provide a written response.

Accounting of Disclosures

Request a list of certain disclosures made within the past six (6) years, excluding those for treatment, payment, healthcare operations, or authorized disclosures. Reasonable fees may apply.

Restrictions

Request limitations on certain uses or disclosures of PHI. We are not required to agree to all requests unless required by law.

Confidential Communications

Request communication through alternative methods or locations. We will accommodate reasonable requests.

Paper Copy

Request a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you received it electronically.

Complaints

File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. You may contact our office or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Security Safeguards & Breach Notification

We maintain administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and security of your PHI. In the event of a breach involving unsecured PHI, we will notify you in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

Contact Information

Privacy Officer / Contact Person:
Dr. Joe Crill
Vibrant Medical Wellness
staff@vibrantmedicalwellness.com
704-235-0559