Privacy Policy - Notice of Privacy Practices

Effective Date March 8, 2025

BOPPANA PRIMARY CARE CLINIC, PLLC

This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how Boppana Primary Care Clinic, PLLC ("Clinic") may use and disclose your Protected Health Information (PHI) to carry out treatment, payment, or healthcare operations and for other purposes permitted or required by law. It also describes your rights to access and control your PHI under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

At Clinic, we are committed to protecting the privacy of your health information. PHI includes any information we maintain that identifies you and relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health, healthcare services provided to you, or payment for those services. We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your PHI, provide you with this Notice, and abide by its terms. 

The following categories describe how we may use or disclose your PHI without your specific authorization. Not every use or disclosure is listed, but all are covered under HIPAA regulations.

1. For Treatment: We may use your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare. For example, we may share your medical information with specialists, laboratories, or pharmacies involved in your care. 
2. For Payment: We may use or disclose your PHI to bill and collect payment for services provided. For example, we may share information with your insurance company to process claims.
3. For Healthcare Operations: We may use your PHI to operate our practice efficiently. Examples include quality assessments, staff training, or scheduling appointments. 
4. Appointments and Services: We may use your PHI to contact you about appointment reminders, treatment options, or other health-related services we offer.
5. Business Associates: We may share your PHI with third-party “business associates” (e.g., billing companies) who perform services on our behalf, provided they agree to safeguard your information.

Except as described above or permitted by law, we will not use or disclose your PHI without your written authorization. Examples include: 

•  Marketing purposes (beyond basic treatment or service notifications). 
•  Sale of your PHI. 
•  Most uses of psychotherapy notes. 

You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent we have already acted on it. 

We may use or disclose your PHI without your authorization in the following situations:

• Public Health: To report diseases, injuries, or vital events (e.g., births or deaths) as required by law. 
• Health Oversight: To government agencies for audits, investigations, or compliance reviews. 
• Legal Proceedings: In response to a court order or subpoena. 
• Law Enforcement: To report crimes or comply with legal requirements. 
• Abuse or Neglect: To report suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence. 
• As Required by Law: For other purposes mandated by federal, state, or local laws. 

Under HIPAA, you have the following rights regarding your PHI:

1. Right to Inspect and Copy: You may request access to your medical and billing records. We may charge a reasonable fee for copies.
2. Right to Amend: If you believe your PHI is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment. We may deny the request under certain conditions.
3. Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You may request a list of certain disclosures we made of your PHI, excluding those for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. 
4. Right to Request Restrictions: You may request limits on how we use or disclose your PHI. We are not required to agree unless the request pertains to a service paid fully out-of-pocket. 
5. Right to Confidential Communications: You may request alternative ways to receive communications (e.g., at a different address or phone number). 
6.  Right to a Paper Copy: You may request a paper copy of this Notice at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Privacy Office (details below).

If there is a breach of your unsecured PHI, we will notify you as required by law. 

We reserve the right to change this Notice at any time. Any changes will apply to all PHI we maintain. The updated Notice will be posted on our website and available at our clinic.

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. To file a complaint with us, contact our Privacy Officer. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint. 

For questions about this Notice or to exercise your rights, please contact:  

Privacy Officer

Boppana Primary Care Clinic, PLLC
2460 N Central Expressway, Suite 101
Richardson, TX 75080

972.644.1100