Your information. Your rights. Our responsibilities. This notice explains how medical information about you may be used and disclosed, how you can get access to that information, and the choices available to you.
The notice explains your rights over your health information, the choices you can make about certain disclosures, and the ways Greenwich EMS may use or share information while providing care and operating an emergency medical service.
You may access your records, request corrections, ask for confidential communications or certain restrictions, receive an accounting of some disclosures, obtain a copy of this notice, choose someone to act for you, and file a privacy complaint.
You have choices about sharing information with family and friends, disaster relief, hospital directories, certain marketing and sales, psychotherapy notes, and fundraising communications.
Health information may be used for treatment, payment, health care operations, public health and safety, research, legal requirements, and other purposes allowed or required by law.
When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. The sections below summarize those rights and Greenwich EMS's responsibilities to help you exercise them.
You may ask to see or receive an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other health information we have about you. We generally provide a copy or summary within 30 days and may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
You may ask us to correct health information you believe is incorrect or incomplete. We may deny a request, but if we do, we will explain why in writing within 60 days.
You may ask us to contact you in a specific way, such as at a home or office phone number, or to send mail to a different address. We will agree to all reasonable requests.
You may ask us not to use or share certain health information for treatment, payment, or operations. We are not required to agree to every request. If you pay for a service or health care item out-of-pocket in full, you may ask us not to share that information with your health insurer for payment or operations; we will agree unless the law requires us to share it.
You may ask for an accounting of certain disclosures made during the six years before your request, including who received the information and why. The accounting excludes treatment, payment, health care operations, and certain other disclosures. One accounting each year is free; a reasonable cost-based fee may apply if you request another within 12 months.
You may request a paper copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices at any time, even if you previously agreed to receive it electronically. We will provide a paper copy promptly.
If you have given someone medical power of attorney or someone is your legal guardian, that person may exercise your rights and make choices about your health information. We will verify that authority before taking action.
If you believe your privacy rights were violated, you may contact Greenwich EMS using the information below or file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. Greenwich EMS will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
For certain health information, you can tell us your preferences about what we share. If you clearly tell us what you want us to do in the situations below, we will follow your instructions.
You may tell us whether to share information with family members, close friends, or others involved in your care.
You may tell us whether to share information in a disaster relief situation or include information in a hospital directory. If you cannot communicate your preference, we may share information when we believe it is in your best interest or when necessary to lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.
We will not use or share your information for marketing purposes, sell your information, or share most psychotherapy notes unless you give us written permission.
Greenwich EMS may contact you about fundraising efforts, but you can tell us not to contact you again for fundraising.
We typically use or share health information for treatment, health care operations, and billing. We may also use or share information in other ways that contribute to the public good or are required by law.
We may use your health information and share it with physicians, hospitals, other EMS providers, and other professionals who are treating you.
We may use and share information to run our organization, improve your care, manage treatment and services, and contact you when necessary.
We may use and share information to bill and obtain payment from health plans or other entities.
Other permitted or required uses may include:
Greenwich EMS is required by law to protect the privacy and security of your protected health information and to follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice.
Greenwich EMS may change the terms of this notice. Changes may apply to all information we have about you. A revised notice will be available upon request, in our office, and on this website.
Greenwich Emergency Medical Service, Inc.
1111 East Putnam Avenue
Riverside, CT 06878
Privacy Officer
(203) 637-7505
privacyofficer@greenwichems.org
