This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. The Notice of Privacy Practices outlines Your Rights, Your Choices, Our Uses and Disclosures, and Our Responsibilities.

• Notice of Privacy Practices (PDF)
• Aviso de las Pólizas de Privacidad (PDF)

This Notice of Privacy Practices applies to the following organizations:

• Mobile Expanded School Health Unit (MESH Unit)
• Wilkes County Health Department
• Wilkes Diabetes and Nutrition Center
  

Effective Date of Notice: September 23, 2013

Changes to the Terms of the Notice of Privacy Practices

We can change the terms of this notice, and the changes will apply to all information we have about you. The new notice will be available upon request, in our office, and on our website.

Our Responsibilities

• We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
• We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
• We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and give you a copy of it.
• We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing. If you tell us we can, you may change your mind at any time. Let us know in writing if you change your mind.

Your Rights

When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. This section explains your rights and some of our responsibilities to help you.

• Get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record
• Ask us to correct your medical record
• Request confidential communications
• Ask us to limit what we use or share
• Get a list of those with whom we’ve shared information
• Get a copy of this privacy notice
• Choose someone to act for you

Your Choices

For certain health information, you can tell us your choices about what we share.

Our Uses and Disclosures

We typically use or share your health information in the following ways.

• Treat you
• Run our organization
• Bill for your services
• Help with public health and safety issues
• Do research
• Comply with law
• Respond to organ and tissue donation requests
• Work with medical examiner or funeral director
• Address workers’ compensation, law enforcement, and other government requests
• Respond to lawsuits and legal actions

Disclosure to Law Enforcement

• Local health departments typically want to cooperate with law enforcement officials but are sometimes constrained by federal or state confidentiality laws, which may prohibit a disclosure altogether, or may allow it but only if certain conditions are met.
• Local health departments may disclose protected health information (PHI) to law enforcement officials only if the disclosure is specifically allowed by all confidentiality laws that apply to the information which may include any or all of the following:
• The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule
  • North Carolina confidentiality laws, such as the state statute that limits the disclosure of communicable disease information
  • Any other applicable federal laws that address the confidentiality of the information, such as the federal regulation restricting the disclosure of information about Title X family planning clients

For More Information:

• Visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website
• Contact the Privacy Officer at Wilkes County Health Department.

File a Complaint if You Feel Your Rights Are Violated

You can complain if you feel we have violated your rights by contacting the Health Department. You can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights
200 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20201
Phone: 877-696-6775