This notice describes how information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information.  Please read and review carefully.

Commitment to Privacy

HME Specialists s committed to protecting the privacy of your healthcare information as required by law. We adhere to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines, which mandate that we provide you with a Privacy Notice detailing our privacy practices. This notice outlines how we safeguard your health information and any use of it beyond specified purposes requires your written authorization. We follow the terms outlined in the current Privacy Notice and may update it, as necessary.

Your Health Information Rights

Although your health record is the physical property of the healthcare facility that compiled it, the information belongs to you.  You have the right to:

1. Request a restriction on certain uses and disclosures of your information. Specifically, you have the right to request a restriction on certain disclosures to your health plan(s) if the disclosure is purely for carrying out payment or health care operations and the requested restriction is for services for which you have paid in full out-of-pocket.
2. Obtain a paper copy of the notice of privacy practices.
3. Inspect and copy your healthcare record. 
4. Obtain an accounting of disclosures of your health information.
5. Request confidential communication.
6. Amend your healthcare record.
7. Revoke your authorization to use or disclose health information except to the extent that action has already been taken.
8. Request an electronic copy of electronic medical records.

HME Specialists Responsibilities

1. Maintain privacy of your health information.      
2. Provide you with a notice as to our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to information we collect and maintain about you.
3. Abide by the terms of this notice.
4. Notify you if we are unable to agree to a requested restriction.
5. Accommodate reasonable requests you may have to communicate health information by alternative means.
6. Notify you of any breaches of unsecured Protected Health Information that may occur.

HME Specialists reserves the right to change our practices and to make the new provisions effective for all protected health information we maintain. Should our information practices change an updated version of the Notice of Privacy Practices will be made available on our website. We will not use or disclose your health information without your authorization, except for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.

Examples of Disclosure for Treatment, Payment, and Healthcare Operations

We will use your health information for:

• Treatment:  Information obtained by our company will be documented in your healthcare record & will be used to provide you with durable medical equipment and/or supplies & prescription medications. The prescription that your physician has provided will be part of the record & will determine the equipment and/or supplies or prescription medication that you will receive.
• Payment:  In order to determine your eligibility for equipment and/or supplies and prescription medications, HME Specialists may contact your insurance company and disclose healthcare related information. Also, HME Specialists, LLC will bill you or a third-party payer for services that you receive from our company. The health information that identifies you, your diagnosis, equipment and/or supplies and medications may be included on the bill.
• Healthcare Operations:  We may use your health information for various purposes, including assessing the quality of care you receive, managing costs, planning business activities, and enhancing the quality and effectiveness of our products and services.
• Health Information:  We may provide appointment reminders, as well as treatment alternatives and health related benefits and services.

Other Uses or Disclosures

• Business Associates:  Some individuals contracted with HME Specialists occasionally work on improving or enhancing our business financially. To ensure the protection of your health information, we require all business associates to properly safeguard your information.
• Public Health:  As required by law, we may disclose your health information to public health or legal authorities charged with preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability.
• Law Enforcement:  We may disclose health information for law enforcement purposes as required by law, or in response to a valid subpoena.
• Oversight Activities:  We may disclose health information to health oversight agencies for activities authorized by law, including surveys, audits, and compliance inspections.
• Worker’s Compensation:  We may release your health information to the extent necessary to comply with laws or regulations relating to workers compensation or other similar programs established by law.
• Data Breach Notification:  We may use or disclose your Protected Health Information (PHI) to provide legally required notices of unauthorized access to or disclosure of your health information.

Uses or Disclosures that Require Your Authorization

Certain uses and disclosures of your health information require a separate authorization from you. This includes any use or disclosure for marketing purposes or any disclosures that involve selling your protected health information. Any other uses and disclosures not mentioned in this Notice will only occur with your authorization.

For More Information

An HME Specialists Privacy Officer can assist you in pursuing your rights, including but not limited to:

1. Requesting restrictions
2. Inspecting and copying your record
3. Securing an accounting of disclosures
4. Requesting additional disclosures
5. Revoking authorization at any time
6. Filing a complaint

HME Specialists Privacy Officers

Effective Date: 5/10/2022

Updated: 12/3/2025

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