Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc.
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
COAST2COAST DIAGNOSTICS (Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc.) is a diagnostic network and all diagnostic facilities are independent contractors. Although C2C Diagnostics does not provide treatment to patients directly, Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. desires to maintain the privacy of health information and desires to provide patients with a notice of its legal duties and privacy practices. Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. will not use or disclose private health information except as described in this notice. “Private Health Information” is information about you which was created or received by Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. and that relates to a past, present or future physical or mental health or condition, or the provision of, or payment for, health care and which could be used to identify the patient.
Examples of Disclosures for Treatment, Payment and Health Operations: The following categories describe the ways that Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. may use and disclose private health information without written authorization.
Personal Information: Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. will use personal health information in the provision and coordination of healthcare. We may disclose all or any portion of private health information, such as diagnostic reports, to attending physicians, radiologists and other health care providers who have a need for such information in the care and continued treatment of the patient. If requested by the attending physicians, Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. also may disclose health information to other people, such as family members, clergy and others who may be involved in the patient’s care.
Payment Terms: Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. may release private health information about the patient for the purposes of determining coverage, billing, claims management, private health data processing, and reimbursement. The information may be released to a health plan or health insurer, or a workers compensation or other insurance company responsible for payment of our services, an employer involved in a workers’ compensation program, and a third party payer or other entity (or their authorized representatives) involved in the payment of the patient’s medical bill, and may include copies or excerpts of the private health record which are necessary for payment of the account. For example, a bill sent to a third party payer may include information that identifies the patient, the diagnosis, and the modalities used, and may include a copy of the diagnostic report.
Health Care Operations: Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. may use and disclose private health information during routine healthcare operations including, without limitation, utilization review, evaluation of our staff, assessing the quality of care and outcomes in the patient’s case and similar cases, internal auditing, accreditation, certification, licensing or credentialing activities, private health research and educational purposes.
Scheduling and Patient Appointments: Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. may use and disclose private health information obtained when scheduling diagnostic services and when it contacts the patient as a reminder of an appointment for diagnostic services at a Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. contracted facility. It may also use and disclose private health information to tell the patient or others of information about treatment alternatives or other health-related benefits and services of possible interest to the patient.
Providers: Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. may use and disclose certain private health information about the patient to providers. A provider is an individual or entity under contract with the Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. to perform or assist Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. in a function or activity which necessitates access to, or the use or disclosure of, private health information. Examples of providers, include, but are not limited to, a copy service used by Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. to copy private health records, consultants, accountants, lawyers, practice management organizations, private health transcriptionists, case managers, marketing and customer service personnel and third-party billing companies. Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. will attempt to require the provider to protect the confidentiality of private health information.
Regulatory Agencies: Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. may disclose private health information to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law, including, but not limited to, licensure, certification, audits, investigations and inspections.
Law Enforcement/Litigation: Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. may disclose private health information for law enforcement purposes as required by law or in response to a valid subpoena or court order.
Public Health: Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. may disclose private health information to public health or legal authorities charged with preventing or controlling disease, injury or disability. For example, Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. may be required to report the existence of a communicable disease to the Department of Health to protect the health and wellbeing of the general public.
Workers Compensation: Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. may release private health information to employers, health care providers, examiners, judges, insurance companies, nurse case managers and others with a need to know, in connection with workers’ compensation or similar programs. These programs provide benefits for work-related injuries or illnesses.
Military/Veterans: Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. may disclose private health information as required by military command authorities, if the patient is a member of the armed forces.
Required by Law: Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. will disclose private health information about you when required to do so by law including, without limitation, for juridical or administrative proceedings, to report information related to victims of abuse, neglect or violence, to assist law enforcement officials in their law enforcement duties.
Coroners, Medical Examiners, Funeral Directors: Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. may release private health information to a coroner or private health examiner. This may be necessary, for example, to identify a deceased person or to determine a cause of death. Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. may also release private health information to funeral directors as necessary to carry out their duties.
Other Uses: Any other uses and disclosures will be made only with written authorization.
Patient Health Information Rights: Although all records concerning treatment obtained through Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. at a Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. contracted facility are the property of Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc., or of the facility, you have the following rights concerning private health information. (“CFR” below stands for the Code of Federal Regulations). The fulfillment of some or all of your requests may be the responsibility of the contracted diagnostic facility and/or the attending radiologist, or of another healthcare provider who has the information requested. In such event, Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. will attempt to contact the responsible party to assist with your request. To exercise any of these rights, please contact the Privacy Officer identified below, in writing.
Right to Confidential Communications: You have the right to receive confidential communications of your private health information by alternative means or at alternative locations as provided by 45 CFR § 164.522. For example, you may request that Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. only contact you at work or by mail.
Right to Inspect and Copy: You have the right to inspect and copy your private health information as provided by 45 CFR §164.524.
Right to Amend: You have the right to amend your private health information as provided by 45 CFR §164.526.
Right to an Accounting: You have the right to receive an accounting of disclosures of your private health information as provided by 45 CFR §164.528.
Right to Request Restrictions: You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your private health information as provided by 45 CFR §164.522. Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. may not agree to honor the request.
Right to Receive Copy of this Notice: You have the right to receive a paper copy of this Notice, upon request.
Right to Revoke Authorization: You have the right to revoke your authorization to use or disclose your private health information except to the extent that action has already been taken in reliance on your authorization.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REPORT A PROBLEM: If you have questions and would like additional information, you may contact: Gail Franzen at the number and address below. If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. or with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. To file a complaint with the Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc., please contact: Gail Franzen , IT and Privacy Officer at 1-800-730-9263 All complaints must be submitted to the Privacy Officer in writing at the following address: 600 North Tustin Ave #110, Santa Ana, CA 92705. There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint.
CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE: Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. will abide by the terms of the Notice of Health Information Practices currently in effect. Coast2Coast Diagnostics, Inc. reserves the right to change the terms of its notice and to make the new notice provisions effective for all protected health information that it maintains. C2C DIAGNOSTICS will post any revised Notice (prior to implementation of same).
NOTICE EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the notice is September 27, 2023