Medical Privacy Policy

Notice of Privacy Practices

As required by the privacy regulations pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.

PLEASE REVIEW THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY.

We understand that medical information about you and your health is personal and should be confidential. By law, Independence Technology, L.L.C. is required to maintain the privacy of your health information, to follow the terms of this Notice of Privacy Practices, and to provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices regarding how we use your health information. We may change the terms of our Notice, at any time. If we do change this Notice, the new Notice will be effective for all protected health information that we maintain at that time. Upon your request, we will provide you with any revised Notice of Privacy Practices by accessing our website www.ibotnow.com or calling our Customer Zone at 1-877-794-3125 and requesting that a revised copy be sent to you in the mail.

How Independence Technology, L.L.C. May Use or Disclose Your Health Information Without Your Written Authorization
Independence Technology protects the privacy of your health information. While there are some activities and some state laws that require us to have your written authorization to use or disclose your health information, the law permits Independence Technology, L.L.C. to use or disclose your health information for the following purposes without your written authorization:

• For Treatment. We use medical information about you in order to provide you with the proper medical products and services.
• For Payment. We may use and disclose the minimum necessary information about you to an insurance company or payer of medical products and services in order to bill and collect payment on your behalf for medical products and services we have provided to you.
• For Health Care Operations. We may use or disclose your medical information to allow us to perform functions necessary for our business of health care. For example, within our organization, we may use your information to conduct quality improvement activities or other activities to make sure that you receive quality customer service.
• Appointment Reminders and Other Contacts. We may use your health information to contact you with reminders about your appointments or send materials related to the products and services we provide.
• As Required by Law. We will disclose your information only when a federal, state, or local law requires that we report information to a government agency or law enforcement personnel.
• To Avoid a Serious Threat to Health or Safety. We may use and disclose information about you only to someone able to help prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of the public or another person.
• Public Health Risks. We may disclose health information about you for public health activities, which include the following: (1) to prevent or control disease, injury or disability; (2) to notify people of recalls of products they may be using; (3) to notify a person who may have been exposed to a disease or may be at risk for contracting or spreading a disease or medical condition; and (4) to notify a government agency (when we are required or authorized by law) if we believe a person has been the victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
• Food & Drug Administration. We may disclose your protected health information to a person or company required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to report adverse events, product defects, track products; to enable product recalls; to make repairs, or to conduct post marketing surveillance, as required.
• Lawsuits & Disputes. If you are involved in a lawsuit or dispute, we may disclose health information about you in response to a court order or administrative order.
• For Specific Government Functions. We may disclose health information as required by military command authorities of military personnel, in response to a request from law enforcement when certain conditions are met, and for national security reasons.
• Emergencies. We may use or disclose your health information in an emergency treatment situation. If an emergency situation occurs while we are serving you, our staff will attempt to obtain your consent as soon as reasonably practicable after the appropriate health care provider delivers treatment.
• Communication Barriers. We may use and disclose your protected health information if our staff or another health care provider in our presence attempts to obtain consent from you but is unable to do so due to substantial communication barriers – if our professional judgment indicates that you intend to consent to use or disclosure of your information under the circumstances.

• Information Shared with Family, Friends, or Others. We will only release your health information to a family member, friend, or other person that you indicate is involved in your care if you provide authorization to Independence Technology, L.L.C..
• Payment from Your Health Care Plan (When Required by Your Health Care Plan). Some health care plans require that you provide a signed “Release of Information and Payment for Medical Benefits Form” (or similar form) before we can bill and collect payment for medical products provided to you.

• You Have The Right To Request Limits On Certain Uses And Disclosures Of Your Health Information. Independence Technology, L.L.C. is not required to agree to a restriction that you request. However, if we do agree to any restrictions, we will put the agreement in writing and follow it, except in emergency situations. You may not limit information that we are legally required or allowed to release.
• You Have The Right To Choose How We Communicate Health Information To You. Our communications to you are considered to be confidential. You have the right to ask that we send information to you by alternative means (i.e., email instead of regular mail) or to an alternative address (i.e., your work address rather than your home address). We must agree to your request as along as we can reasonably provide it in the format you requested.
• You Have The Right To Inspect And Copy Your Information. You have this right as long as Independence Technology, L.L.C. maintains the information. Your request must be in writing. We may deny your request in certain limited circumstances. If you request is denied, you may request that the denial be reviewed. You can request a summary or a copy of your health information as long as you agree to any costs incurred for copying, mailing or other supplies that are necessary to grant your request.
• You Have The Right To Receive A List Of Instances Of When And To Whom We Have Disclosed Your Information. This list will not include uses you have already authorized, disclosures related to government requirements, and releases related to treatment, payment, or operations. This request applies to disclosures we have made after April 14, 2003.
• You Have The Right To Request That Your Information Be Corrected Or Updated. If you believe that there is a mistake in your health information or that an important piece of information is missing, you have the right to request that we correct the existing or add the missing information. To request an amendment, you must submit a written request, along with the reason for the request. We are not required to amend your information that is already accurate and complete. If your request is denied, we will provide you with information about the procedure for addressing any disagreement with a denial.
• You Have The Right To Obtain A Paper Copy Of This Notice. You have the right to request another paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you accepted this Notice electronically.