HIPAA Privacy Notice
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law that protects the privacy and security of your health information. HIPAA applies to certain departments, divisions, or units of Osceola County that support your health care needs. They are:
- Human Resources/Benefits Services Unit
- Corrections Department/Inmate Medical
- Fire Rescue/EMS
These departments may create, receive, or keep medical information about you to provide treatment, handle billing and payment, and manage our services. They may also share your health information with other parties for certain purposes, such as complying with the law, preventing a serious threat to health or safety, or coordinating your care with other providers.
We are required by law to give you this notice that explains our privacy practices and your rights regarding your health information. We are also required to follow the terms of this notice and notify you if there is a breach of your health information.
How We May Use and Share Your Health Information
We may use and share your health information for different purposes, such as:
For Treatment: We may use your health information to provide you with health care services, such as arranging transportation, coordinating care with contracted providers, or contracting with health plans for your treatment. We may also share your health information with our business associates who help us with treatment-related activities.
For Payment: We may use and share your health information to bill and receive payment from you, your insurance company, or another third party for the services you received.
For Health Care Operations: We may use and share your health information to improve the quality of our care, to verify that you are receiving the scheduled services, and to develop better ways to provide care. We may also share your health information with health plans and other healthcare providers that are involved in your care. We may also use and share your health information for legal, auditing, and management purposes.
As Required by Law: We may share your health information when we are required to do so by international, federal, state, or local law.
To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety: We may use and share your health information when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of others.
We may also use and share your health information for other purposes that require us to allow you to object or opt-out, such as:
Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment for Your Care: Unless you object, we may share your health information with a family member, a friend, or another person you identify who is involved in your care or payment for your care. For example, if a family member calls us about a claim, we may confirm if the claim has been received and paid. If you are unable to communicate, we may share your health information as necessary based on our professional judgment.
Disaster Relief: We may share your health information with disaster relief organizations that seek your health information to coordinate your care or notify your family and friends of your location or condition in a disaster. We will try to give you a chance to agree or object to such a disclosure whenever we can.
Your Rights
As a part of our day-to-day activities, Osceola County may need to create, receive, or keep medical information about you. To provide treatment, handle billing and payment activities, and manage our services, we may use and disclose (share) your protected healthcare information without first getting your written approval.
You have the following rights regarding your health information:
Right to Inspect and Copy
You have the right to see and get a copy of your health information that we use to make decisions about your care or payment for your care. You must make a written request to the address listed at the end of this notice. We may charge you a reasonable fee for copying, mailing, or other supplies. We may deny your request in some cases, but you may have the denial reviewed by a licensed healthcare professional.
Right to an Electronic Copy
If your health information is in an electronic format, you have the right to request that we give you or send to another person or entity an electronic copy of your record. We will try to provide the copy in the form or format you request if it is readily available. If not, we will provide it in our standard electronic format or a hard copy form. We may charge you a reasonable fee for the labor of sending the electronic record.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You have the right to request a list of certain disclosures we made of your health information for purposes other than treatment, payment, health care operations, or with your written authorization. You must make a written request to the address listed at the end of this notice. The first list in any 12 months will be free. We may charge you a reasonable fee for additional lists.
Right to Request Restrictions
You have the right to request that we limit how we use or share your health information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. You also have the right to request that we limit what we share with someone who is involved in your care or payment for your care, such as a family member or friend. You must make a written request to the address listed at the end of this notice. We are not required to agree to your request unless you ask us to restrict the information we share with a health plan for payment or health care operations purposes and you have paid for the service in full out of pocket. If we agree, we will follow your request unless we need the information for emergency treatment or as required by law.
Right to Request Confidential Communications
You have the right to request that we communicate with you about medical matters in a certain way or at a certain location if you tell us that disclosing the information could endanger you. For example, you can ask that we contact you by mail or at work. You must make a written request to the address listed at the end of this notice. You must specify how or where you want us to contact you. We will accommodate reasonable requests.
Right to Get a Paper Copy of This Notice
You have the right to get a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically. You can get a copy from our website or by contacting us at the address listed at the end of this notice.
Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to change this notice and make the new notice apply to the health information we already have as well as any information we receive in the future. We will post a copy of our current notice on our website and at our locations.
Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.
View the HIPAA Privacy Complaint Procedure(PDF, 32KB)
To file a complaint with us, contact:
Osceola County Human Resources Department
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 4200
Kissimmee, Florida 34741
Phone: (407) 742-1200
If you have any questions about this notice or our privacy practices, please contact us.