WHAT IS HIPAA?

You may have heard or read about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

In simple terms, HIPAA legislation creates new security regulations to ensure the safety and privacy of individual health information and medical records. During regular business visits you will be asked to read and sign consent forms, which have become a federal requirement regarding the disclosure of your personal health information. While this may seem inconvenient, please keep in mind that it was developed for your own protection and will only take a few minutes of your time. Without these signed forms it is possible that we may not be able to maintain ongoing communication with you.

Patient Rights and Responsibilities

At Pi Dental Center, we are committed to responding to the needs and concerns of our patients. Please feel free to contact our staff should you have any questions or concerns to discuss.

Patient Bill of Rights

• As our patient, you have the following rights:
  
• The right to respectful, quality care provided by competent, professional personnel.
  
• The right to appropriate assessment of and quick response to pain.
  
• The right to confidentiality concerning your medical care including consultation, examination, and treatment.
  
• The right to confidentiality of all records pertaining to your medical care except as otherwise provided by law or third party contractual agreement.
  
• The right to implementation of emergency procedures without delay.
  
• The right to access, copy and inspect your health information.
  
• The right to request an amendment to your healthcare information.
  
• The right to an accounting of certain disclosures of your health information.
  
• The right to request restrictions of disclosures for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
  
• The right to alternative means of receiving communications from dentists.
• As our patient, you have the following responsibilities:
  
• The responsibility to provide information about your health, including past illnesses, hospital stays and use of medication.
  
• The responsibility to inform healthcare providers when you have pain.
  
• The responsibility to ask questions when you do not understand information or instructions.
  
• The responsibility to tell your doctor if you believe you cannot follow through with your treatment.
  
• The responsibility to be considerate of the needs of other patients and staff.
  
• The responsibility to provide information about your insurance and to work with Pi Dental Center to arrange payment, when needed.
  
• The responsibility to recognize the effects of lifestyle on your personal health.