This notice describes the practices of Achieve Solutions Inc. (ASI) doing business as Achieve Physical Therapy Sports Medicine. Please review this carefully as it pertains to the privacy of your health information as it relates to:
- Any health care professional authorized to enter information into your patient chart
- All departments and units of Achieve Solutions Inc. and APTSM
- Any member of a volunteer group we allow to help you while you are in an APTSM facility
- All employees, staff, and other Achieve Solutions Inc. and APTSM employees
This notice also describes the practices of Achieve Solutions Inc. (ASI) when they are rendering care at the home or living facility of the patient.
Our Pledge Regarding Medical Information:
We understand that medical information about you and your health is personal. We are committed to protecting medical information about you. We create a record of the care and services you receive at any APTSM clinic, or care and services APTSM may provide in your place of residence. We need this record to provide you with quality care and to comply with certain legal requirements. This notice applies to all of the records of your care generated by ASI, whether made by ASI personnel or therapist. This notice will tell you about the ways in which we may use and disclose medical information about you. We also describe your rights and certain obligation we have regarding the use and disclosure of medical information. We are required by law to:
- Make sure that medical information that identifies you is kept private
- Give you this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to medical information about you; and
- Follow the terms of the notice that is currently in effect.
How We May Use & Disclose Medical Information About You
The following categories describe different ways that we may use and disclose medical information. For each category of uses or disclosures we will explain what we mean and try to give some examples. This is not to infer that these are the only situations where we may need to share/disclose information about you. However, all of the ways we are permitted to use and disclose information will fall within one of the categories. We follow the Wisconsin state law for informed consent for treatment.
For Treatment: We may use medical information about you to provide you with medical treatment and services. We may disclose medical information about you to physicians, nurses, technicians, medical students, or other ASI personnel who are involved in taking care of you. For example, a therapist treating you for a broken leg may need to know that you have diabetes because diabetes may slow the healing process. In addition, the therapist may need to disclose this information to a nurse who may be checking on the status of your incision. We also may disclose medical information about you to people outside of APTSM/ASI who may be involved in your medical care after you are discharged. Under no circumstances will APTSM/ASI share protected health information with non-healthcare providers (i.e. family members, clergy, friends) unless we have your verbal and/or written consent. Friends and family often play a critical role in providing care between visits or when therapy services have been completed. For this reason there may be times when we seek your permission to disclose protected information.
For Payment: We may use and disclose medical information about you so that the treatment and services you receive at APTSM/ASI may be billed to: you, your insurance company, or third party provider. For example, we may need to provide information to your insurance company about therapy services received at our clinic for proper payment and reimbursement. We may also need to share information with your health plan about current progress and future treatments to obtain prior approval and coverage for reimbursement. If you choose to pay for services in their entirety by cash and not by billing your insurance, you may instruct ASI not to share information with your health plan.
For Health Care Operations: We may use and disclose medical information about you for APTSM/ASI operations. These uses and disclosures are necessary to Achieve Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine quality assurance programs. For example, we may use medical information to review our treatment and services and to evaluate the performance of the staff in caring for you. We may also combine medical information about many patients to help evaluate what additional services we should offer, what services are not needed, and whether certain treatments are effective. We may also disclose information to doctors, nurses, technicians, medical students, and other APTSM/ASI personnel for review and learning purposes or for follow-up of a complaint or care issue. We may also combine the medical information we have with medical information from other health care facilities to compare how we are doing and see where we can make improvements in the care and services we offer. Every attempt will be made to remove identifying information, so others may use it to study health care and health care delivery without learning who the specific patients are.
For Appointment Reminders: We may use and disclose medical information to contact you as a reminder that you have an appointment for treatment or evaluation at Achieve Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine clinic or locations.
Treatment Alternatives: We may use and disclose medical information, with your express permission, to tell you about or recommend possible treatment alternatives or options that may be of interest to you.
Health-Related Benefits and Services: We may use and disclose medical information, with your express permission, to tell you about health related benefits or services that may be of interest to you. We will ask for your express permission if any of your health or personal information would be used for marketing or fundraising purposes. Your health and personal information will never be sold without your express permission.
Patient Schedule/Directory: We may include certain limited information about you in the patient schedule/directory while you are an active patient in the clinic. The information may include your name, location of the facility, your general condition (fair, stable, etc…) This schedule/directory is for APTSM/ASI internal use only or to confirm with other primary healthcare providers that you have an appointment. This information will not be shared with non-healthcare providers unless we have your written/verbal approval.
Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment of Your Care - With Your Permission: We may release medical information about you to a friend or family member who is involved in your medical care. We may also give information to someone who helps pay for your care. We may also tell your family or friends you condition and that you are receiving treatment in a rehabilitation clinic. In addition, we may disclose medical information about you to an entity assisting in a disaster relief effort so that your family can be notified about your location, status, and condition.
Research: Under certain circumstances and with your express permission, we may use and disclose medical information about you for research purposes. For example, a research project may involve comparing patients who received one type of therapeutic intervention with those who received another type of therapeutic intervention for the same condition. Please note that all research projects are subject to a special approval process. We will always ask for your specific permission prior to sharing protected healthcare information with a researcher. As an added protection, only institutional review board (IRB) reviewed and approved research will be conducted at APTSM facilities. This ensures an added level of protection to our clients and their health information. APTSM and ASI do reserve the right to use outcomes and data that has no connection to an individual patient and does not disclose protected healthcare information. An example would be using range of motion data to assess outcomes following a total knee replacement.
To Avert a Serious Thread to Health or Safety: We may use and disclose medical information about you when necessary to prevent a serious threat to you/public health and safety. Any such disclosure, would only be to someone able to assist in relieving or preventing the threat.
Military and Veterans: If you are a member of the armed forces, we may release medical information about you as required by military command authorities. We may also release medical information about foreign military personnel to the appropriate military authority. We may use and disclose to components of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs medical information about you to determine whether you are eligible for certain benefits.
Workers' Compensation: APTSM after having received a valid request for information, may release medical information about you for workers’ compensation or similar programs. The programs provide benefits for work-related injuries or illnesses. An example would be a representative from your workers comp plan makes a formal request to review your therapy progress notes.
Public Health Risks: We may as required by law, disclose medical information about you for public health activities. These activities generally include the following:
- To prevent or control disease, injury or disability
- To report child abuse or neglect
- To report births or deaths
- To report reactions to medications or problems with products
- To notify people of recalls of products they are using
- To notify a person who may have been exposed to a disease or may be at risk for contracting or spreading a disease or condition;
- To notify the appropriate government authority if we believe a patient has been the victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
Health Oversight Activities: We may disclose medical information to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law. These oversight activities include, for example, audits, investigations, inspections and licensures. These activities are necessary for the government to monitor the health care system, government programs and compliance of civil rights.
Lawsuits and Disputes: If you are involved in a lawsuit or dispute, APTSM and ASI will only disclose medical information about you in response to a court or administrative order. We may also disclose medical information about you in response to a subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process by someone else involved in the dispute following all appropriate rules.
Law Enforcement: Under the following circumstances we may release information to a law enforcement official:
- In response to a court order, subpoena, warrant, summons, or similar process;
- To identify or locate a suspect, fugitive, material witness, or missing person
- Involving the victim of a crime, such as abuse or assault.
- About a death we believe may be the result of criminal conduct
- About criminal conduct at APTSM/ASI that requires release of your protected health info;
- In emergency circumstances to report a crime; the location of a crime or victims; to the identity, description or location of the person who committed the crime.
Coroners, Medical Examiners and Funeral Directors: PTSM may release medical information to a coroner or medical examiner. This may be necessary, for example, to identify a deceased person or determine the cause of death. We may also release medical information about patients of APTSM to funeral directors as necessary to carry out their duties.
National Security and Intelligence Activities APTSM/ASI may release medical information about you to authorized agents or federal officials so they may provide protection to the President, or other public official. Or use the information to protect the public health and/or prevent an act of terrorism. This information will only be released to persons authorized to conduct these special investigations.
Inmates: If you are an inmate of a correctional institution or under the custody of a law enforcement official, APTSM may release medical information about you to the correctional institution or law enforcement official. This release would be necessary (1) for the institution to provide you with health care; (2) to protect your health and safety or the health and safety of others; or (3) for the safety and security of the correctional facility.
Your Rights Regarding Medical Information:
You have the following rights regarding medical information we maintain about you:
Right to Inspect and Copy: You have the right to inspect and copy medical information that may be used to make decisions about your care. You have the right to request your medical records in paper or electronic form. In order to inspect and copy medical information pertaining to you, you will need to submit a written request to:
Achieve Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine / Achieve Solutions Inc.
106 South Holmen Dr
Holmen, WI 54636
If you request a copy of the information, APTSM/ASI may charge you a fee to pay for the cost of copying, mailing, or other supplies associated with your request. If there is reason to deny your request, you have the right to appeal. If you choose to appeal another licensed health care professional chosen by APTSM/ASI will review your request and denial. The healthcare professional conducting the review will make an independent determination about your request and we will comply with the outcome of the review.
Right to Amend: If you feel that medical information we have about you is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask us to amend the information. You have the right to request an amendment for as long as the information is kept by APTSM / ASI. The request for amendment must be submitted in writing to:
Achieve Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine / Achieve Solutions Inc.
106 South Holmen Dr
Holmen, WI 54636
Please include a reason and as much documentation as possible that supports your request. Any amendment made is included as an addendum to the original record. The original content cannot be altered, but the addendum can reflect the requested changes. We may deny your request for an amendment if you ask to amend information that:
- Was not created by APTSM/ASI
- Is not part of the medical information kept by or for APTSM/ASI
- Is in any way false or misleading, or attempts to conceal a health condition or behavior
- Is deemed accurate and complete
Right to an Accounting Disclosure: You have the right to request an “accounting disclosure”. This is a list of the disclosures we made of medical information about you. To request this list or accounting of disclosures, you must submit your request in writing to:
Achieve Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine / Achieve Solutions Inc.
106 South Holmen Dr
Holmen, WI 54636
Your request must include a specific time period (from MM/DD/YY to MM/DD/YY) and may not include dates prior to March 1st, 2007. Your request should indicate in what form you wish to receive the information (on paper, electronically). Patrons of APTSM will be allowed one “accounting disclosure” free of charge. Further requests made within 12 months of the previous request will be charged a fee to cover the cost of producing each additional list. We will notify you of the cost involved and you may choose to withdraw or modify your request at that time.
Right to Request Restrictions: You have the right to request a restriction or limitation on the medical information we use or disclose about you for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. You also have the right to request a limit on the medical information we disclose about you to someone who is involved in your care or the payment of your care, like a family member or friend. For example, you could ask that we not use or disclose information about the type of injury you have to your spouse who brings you to therapy. APTSM will make every attempt to honor your request but are not required to do so if such a request is in conflict with the previously stated reasons for disclosure. If we do agree, we will comply with your request unless the information is needed to provide information for emergency treatment. To request restrictions, you must make a request in writing to:
Achieve Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine / Achieve Solutions Inc.
106 South Holmen Dr
Holmen, WI 54636
As part of your formal request please include the following 1) tell us what information you would like to limit, 2) whether you want to limit our use, disclosure, or both; and 3) to whom you want the limits to apply, for example disclosure to your spouse.
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. For example, you may ask that we only contact you at work or by mail. To request confidential communications, you must make your request known during your initial visit at APTSM. If the confidential communication is in reference to a previous period of treatment, you can submit your request in writing to:
Achieve Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine / Achieve Solutions Inc.
106 South Holmen Dr
Holmen, WI 54636
We will accommodate all reasonable requests. Your request must specify how or where you wish to be contacted.
Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice: You have a right to a paper copy of this notice. You may ask us to give you a copy of this notice at any time. Even if you have asked for an electronic copy of this notice, you are still entitled to a paper copy of this notice. To obtain a paper copy of this notice, please contact:
Achieve Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine / Achieve Solutions Inc.
106 South Holmen Dr
Holmen, WI 54636
Changes to this Notice: We reserve the right to change this notice. We reserve the right to make the revised or changed notice effective for medical information we already have about you as well as any information we receive in the future. We will post a copy of the current notice in the clinics of Achieve Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine (APTSM) and Achieve Solutions Inc (ASI). In addition, each time your register, or are admitted for treatment we will offer you a copy the current privacy notice.
Complaints: If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with APTSM/ASI, or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. To file a complaint with APTSM/ASI please submit your complaint in writing to:
Achieve Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine / Achieve Solutions Inc.
106 South Holmen Dr
Holmen, WI 54636
Filing of a complaint will not affect your care or treatment with APTSM/ASI.
Breach Notification ASI makes every effort to safeguard protected health and personal information. Should a breach of information be suspected to occur, ASI will perform a full investigation. When a breach is discovered, we will notify each affected individual by first-class mail, or, if the individual has agreed, by e-mail. This notification will be done as quickly as feasible, within a maximum of sixty (60) days after the discovery of the breach. ASI will follow Federal guidelines to resolve any and all breaches of information to protect the individuals we serve.
Other uses of Medical Information: Other uses and disclosures of medical information not covered by this notice or the laws that apply to us will be made only with your written permission. If you provide us permission to use or disclose medical information about you, you may revoke that permission, in writing, at any time. If you revoke your permission, we will no longer use or disclose medical information about you for the reasons covered by your written authorization. You understand we are unable to take back any disclosures we have already made with your permission, and that we are required to retain our records of the care we provide to you.
If you have questions regarding this notice, please contact Achieve Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine/ Achieve Solutions (608)526-9888.