HIPAA PRIVACY PRACTICES
We are required by applicable federal and state law to maintain the privacy of your health information. You are protected under the provisions of the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This law ensures the confidentiality of all electronic transmission of information about you. Whenever we transmit information about you electronically it will be done with safeguards to ensure confidentiality. Contents of all counseling sessions are considered confidential. Both verbal information and written records will not be shared with another party without written consent by the client or the client’s legal guardian. Noted exceptions are as follows:
Duty to Warn and Protect: If you disclose a plan or threat to harm another person the therapist is required to warn the possible victim and notify legal authorities. If you disclose a plan or threat to harm yourself, the therapist will notify legal authorities to ensure your safety.
Abuse of Children and Vulnerable Adults: If you disclose, or it is suspected, that there is abuse or harmful neglect of children or vulnerable adults, the therapist will report this information to the appropriate state agency and/or legal authorities.
Insurance Companies: Insurance companies and other third-party payers are given information that they request regarding services to the clients. The information that may be requested includes types of service, date and time of service, diagnosis, treatment plan, description of impairment, progress in therapy, case notes and summaries.
If you choose to participate in treatment via video or electronic communication, we will make every effort to maintain your confidentiality by using VSee, a secure, HIPAA compliant web-based service. For the full version of the HIPAA act please visit www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/index.html
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
Refreshing Waters Counseling & Consulting provides a means to communicate with you through the OnPatient Portal, which meets HIPAA security standards of confidentiality.
Though we prefer to conduct sessions in person there may be occasions when this is not feasible. At these times we offer the option of video conferencing through use of VSee, which is a Hipaa compliant, confidential method of communication. This is a practical option for clients who are unable to attend a session in person due to inclement weather, illness, travel restrictions, etc. In order to utilize VSee both yourself and your Counselor need to be present within Michigan.
You will separately receive text and email notifications of appointment reminders.