Privacy Practices and Confidentiality

Springfield College Health Center

Notice Of Privacy Practices

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

The Springfield College Health Center is required by law to protect the privacy of your health information. We call this information “protected health information” or “PHI.” PHI refers to health and individual information created or received by the Springfield College Health Center which contains details that could identify you, such as your name, address, social security number, etc. The Springfield College Health Center is committed to protecting your privacy. Any protected health information will be kept confidential to the full extent required by the law. The law requires us to maintain the privacy of protected health information, to provide you with this notice and to abide by what this notice says. We may change our privacy practices, but we will provide you with information about any changes in a revised notice if you are then receiving services from the Springfield College Health Center, or upon your request.

How Springfield College Health Center may use and disclose your protected health information:

The Springfield College Health Center uses and discloses PHI for many different reasons. Except as explained in this notice, the Springfield College Health Center will use and disclose your PHI only with your written authorization. In most cases, if we use your PHI without your authorization, it is for treatment, payment, public health purposes or as required by law. However, PHI may sometimes be used for other purposes. We will use and disclose only the minimum amount of information needed whenever possible. All uses and disclosures are described below.

• For Treatment. We may provide your PHI to physicians and other health care personnel who provide you with health care services or are involved in your care. For example, if your health care provider calls the laboratory for your tests results, we may disclose your PHI.
• For Payment. We may use and disclose your PHI in order to bill and collect payment for the treatment and services provided to you.
• For Health Care Operations. We may use and disclose your PHI to ensure the quality and effectiveness of our services.
• As Required by Law. We may disclose your PHI when a disclosure is required by federal or state law.
• For Public Health Purposes, Including Bioterrorism. We may use and disclose your PHI for public health purposes such as to prevent and control disease.
• For Health Oversight Activities. We may use and disclose your PHI to health oversight agencies as needed to determine compliance with inspections, certification and licensure.
• For Judicial and Administrative Proceedings. We may disclose your PHI as required for judicial and administrative proceedings.
• For Law Enforcement Purposes. We may disclose your PHI when the information is needed for law enforcement.
• For Research. We may use and disclose PHI in order to conduct research.
• For Workers’ Compensation. We may disclose PHI in order to comply with workers’ compensation laws.
• To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety. We may disclose your PHI to avert a threat to the safety or health of you and others.
• To Report Suspected Abuse, Neglect or Domestic Violence. We may disclose your PHI if needed for reporting abuse, neglect or domestic violence.
• In the Event of a Death. We may disclose your PHI to a coroner, medical examiner or funeral director to carry out duties as necessary

Your Rights

• The Right To Request Limits on Uses and Disclosures of Your PHI.You have the right to ask that we limit how we use and disclose your PHI. We will consider your request but are not legally required to accept it. If we accept your request, we will abide by it except in an emergency treatment situation or as required by law.
• The Right To Choose How We Send PHI to You. You have the right to ask that we send information to an alternate address or by alternate means.
• The Right To Inspect and Copy Your PHI. You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your PHI in our possession. 
• The Right To Correct or Update Your PHI. You have the right to request that we correct your PHI that you feel is wrong. We may not honor your request if the PHI is correct and complete, not created by us, not allowed to be disclosed or not a part of our records.
• The Right To Obtain a Paper Copy of this Notice. You have the right to request a paper copy of the Springfield College Health Center Notice of Privacy Practices.

Confidentiality

All medical information and medical records are considered confidential and will not be released to anyone without the patient’s consent except as noted in the "Notice of Privacy Practices" below. For students 18 years of age and older, medical information will not be released to parents without prior consent. For students younger than 18 years of age, confidentiality is maintained as protected by law, specifically regarding reproductive health issues.

For Parents/Families

When will you be called
We will contact you any time your son or daughter requests that we do so, and always in the event of a life-threatening emergency. In general, we encourage students to communicate with their parents about anything, other than a minor illness that needs medical attention. This allows you to share in decision making, particularly if a referral is necessary.

If you want to call us
The Health Center is bound by laws governing confidentiality which affects all individuals 18 years of age or older. This need not be a barrier to expressing your concerns and our offering our reassurance. If you become concerned about the health or well being of your son or daughter, please do not hesitate to call. If it is urgent and the Health Center is closed, contact the Department of Public Safety.

Health Service – (413) 748-3175
Public Safety – (413) 748-5555

For more information or to report a problem:

If you have questions and/or would like additional information regarding any rights included in this notice, you may contact the Springfield College Health Center director at (413) 748-3175 or at Springfield College Health Center, 263 Alden Street, Springfield, MA 01109.

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with the Springfield College Health Center by contacting Springfield College Health Center director at (413) 748-3175 or at Springfield College Health Center, 263 Alden Street, Springfield, MA 01109. You may also file a complaint by contacting the Office of General Counsel at (413) 748-3271.

There will be no retaliation against you for filing a complaint.

This notice was updated in fall 2019.