HIPAA / Privacy Policies

Notice of Privacy Policies
It is the policy of Mercy Medical Center to comply with federal laws and regulations associated with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), Notice of Privacy Practices for Protected Health Information (PDF).

1. Mercy Medical Center will provide the Mercy Medical Center Notice of Privacy Practices (Notice) during the first encounter with an individual (i.e., patient, resident or client), including outpatient departments, offices for medical treatment, or home based services. If feasible, the notice may be given to an individual prior to his/her first encounter with Mercy Medical Center.

2. Mercy Medical Center will make a good faith effort to obtain an individual's written acknowledgement of receipt of the Notice of Privacy Practices.

3. In an emergency treatment situation, Mercy Medical Center will provide the Notice of Privacy Practices and attempt to receive written acknowledgement from the individual being treated or his/her personal representative as soon as reasonably practicable after the emergency treatment situation.

4. Mercy Medical Center may provide medical treatment to an individual who does not sign the written acknowledgment of receipt of the Notice of Privacy Practices. Mercy Medical Center will document its good faith effort to obtain the acknowledgement and the reason(s) it was not obtained.

5. Mercy Medical Center will post the Notice of Privacy Practices in a clear and prominent location within the facility. Mercy Medical Center maintains a Website, it will post and make the Notice available electronically through the Web site.

DEFINITIONS:

Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) - a written notice, in compliance with the requirements of HIPAA, provided by Mercy Medical Center to an individual at the first delivery of service that describes the uses and disclosures of protected health information that may be made by Mercy Medical Center and the individual's rights and Mercy Medical Center's legal duties with respect to protected health information.

Protected Health Information (PHI) - individually identifiable health information that is transmitted or maintained in any form or medium, including electronic media. Protected health information does not include employment records held by Mercy Medical Center in its role as an employer.