RMS

 PRIVACY NOTICE

 Effective April 14, 2003

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.  PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Important:  If you have any questions or if you need help with this Notice, speak to RMS staff.  We will help you. 

Understanding your Confidential Personal Information – called “records” in the Notice.

We want to keep your records private.  We will do so, because that is the law , and it is the right thing to do.

Because you receive services, records of these services you receive are maintained.  These records contain information about why you need services, the services you receive, and what kind of services you may need in the future.  These records help:

To plan what kinds of assistance you might need or want.

To allow the RMS employees who provide your services to help you share important information.

To make sure that there is record of the services you received so that you get the right services in the future.

To make sure that you received the services that were paid for.

To help us do the best job possible when helping you.

Knowing what is in your record and how your records are used helps you to:

Make sure they are right.

Understand who is allowed to see your records and who is not.

Do a better job of deciding with whom you will and will not share your records.

Your Rights:

The pieces of paper that your records are kept on belong to RMS or other individuals who help you.  The information on the paper belongs to you.

You have the right to:

Ask that the information not be used for certain things or shared with certain people (see 45 CFR §164.522).

Look at and make copies of your records (see 45 CFR §164.524).

Make changes in your records, if you think it is wrong (as provided in 45 CFR §164.526).

Get a list of whom your records were shared with and why it was shared (as provided in 45 CFR §164.528).

Decide how and where your records are shared.

Stop RMS or others from sharing your records, if you do not want them to.

Ask that we tell you about your records only the way you want us to. 

Our Responsibilities:

RMS is required to:

Keep your records private.

Tell you what the law says we can do and need to do with your records.

Do the things it says we have to do in this Notice.

Tell you if we cannot stop sharing records for any reason.

Only share the records you’ve approved, as long as what you’re asking is fair, and allowed by the law.

 Comply with the law about your records.

RMS can change how we handle your records at any time as long as the law allows the change.  If we change anything, you will receive a copy of the changed Notice by mail or from your RMS staff.

We will not use, or tell anybody what is in your records without your permission, except as described in this Notice.

For More Information or to Report a Problem:  You or your guardian are encouraged to start with RMS staff or the RMS Privacy Officer.  The telephone number of the Privacy Officer is (614) 880-6008.  We hope to help you with any questions, or to fix any problems you may show to us.  You always have the right to call the Secretary, United States Department of Health and Human Services if we have not helped you the way you want us to.  We want to follow the law about your records, and we will do everything the law wants us to do.  If you complain to us or to the Secretary, you will not get in trouble.  We will continue to help you.

If you have additional questions or would like more information, you may contact our Privacy Officer at (614) 880-6008, or your RMS staff.

Some Reasons Why We Would Share Your Records:

We will use your records to help us give you the best service possible. For example, we may use your records to ensure that the medication you are taking is appropriate for your healthcare needs.

We will use your records to make sure your bills are paid.  We will use your records to help us improve the type of help we provide.

Other Reasons Why We Might Share Your Information If You Say It’s OK:

Business Associates:  Sometimes we need to share records with someone other than our staff in order for you to get the help you need.  Anyone we share your records with must also keep your information private.  They have agreed with us to keep your records private.

Notification:  We may share records about you with a friend or family member who is involved in providing your services.  We may also give records to someone who helps pay for your services.  We may also tell your family or friends if you need to be in the hospital.  In addition, we may share records about you with any person or organization assisting in a disaster relief effort so that your family can be notified about your condition, status and location.

Communication with Family:  Your staff and other people who provide you with help may share information with your family, another relative, close friend or anyone else you say is okay.  Your staff and anyone else who provides you with services must be sure that the person they are sharing the records with needs the information to help you keep healthy and safe or to help you make sure your bills are paid.

Funeral Directors, etc.:  We may share records with funeral directors and others such as coroners and medical examiners so they can do their jobs, as long as what is shared is okay by law.

Organ Procurement Organizations:  If you choose to donate any of your organs when you die, we can share your records with the people or companies responsible for getting, storing, or using organs you have donated, as long as the information we share is okay by law.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA):  We may share records with the Food and Drug Administration, if necessary.  The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for making sure that the food you eat, the medicine you take and many other products you use are safe to use.  If there is a problem with any of these things, it may be necessary to share your records so that the Food and Drug Administration can fix the problem.

Workers Compensation:  We may share your records if you are hurt at work and file a claim for Workers Compensation.  Workers Compensation helps you to pay your bills and buy you the things you need if you are hurt at work and cannot work for a while.  We can only share records as much as the law allows.

Marketing:  We may share records with other people as part of our efforts to tell people about the services we provide in order to increase the number of consumers we are serving.  We do not tell these people your name, and we do not do this without your consent.

Public Health Risks:  We may share records about you to help keep other members of the community safe.  Examples of why we might share records include:

  • To prevent or control disease, injury or disability;

  • To report births and deaths;

  • To report child abuse or neglect;

  • To report reactions to medications or problems with products;

  • To notify people of recalls of products they may be 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.

 

Jail or Prison:  If you are in jail or prison, we may share records to make sure you receive any care you might need and to make sure the people around you are safe.

Law Enforcement:  We may share records if asked to do so by the police or other law enforcement official if we are required to by law, in emergency situations, as part of an investigation of a crime, or if a court orders us to.

Health Oversight Activities:  We may share records with your case manager, the county board, the state department of mental retardation, the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, service and support administrator, or any other people, groups or government agencies responsible for making sure the services you receive meet your needs and are correctly provided.

Lawsuits and Disputes:  We may share records about you if a court or attorney sends us a letter or something else saying we have to.

You can ask for another copy of this Notice any time, and we always will give it to you.