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.

Cardiovascular Associates of East Texas (CAET) is dedicated to protecting the privacy of you health information. We are required by law to maintain the confidentiality of your protected health information (PHI).
We realize these laws are complicated, but we must provide you with the following important information:

• How we may use and disclose your PHI
• Your privacy rights regarding your PHI
• Our obligations concerning the use and disclosure of your PHI

The terms of this notice apply to all records containing your PHI that are created or retained by our practice. We reserve the right to amend this Notice of Privacy Practices. Any revision or amendment to this notice will be effective for all your records that our practice has created or maintained in the past, and for any of your records that we may create or maintain in the future.  Our practice will post a copy of our current Notice in our offices in a visible location at all times, and you may request a copy of our most current Notice at any time.
                              
If you have any questions about this notice, please contact:

Privacy Officer, Cardiovascular Associates of East Texas, 115 W Fifth St, Tyler, TX. 75701, or you may call 903 592-4244.

WAYS WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION (PHI)

1. Treatment  CAET may use your PHI to treat you. Many of the people who work for our practice-including, but not limited to, our doctors and nurses-may use or disclose your PHI in order to treat you or assist others in your treatment.
2. Payment  CAET may use and disclose you PHI in order to bill and collect payment for the services and items you may receive from us.
3. Health Care Operations  CAET may use and disclose you PHI to operate our business. As examples of the ways in which we may use and disclose your information for our operation is to evaluate the quality of care you received from us, to conduct cost-management and business planning activities.
4. Appointment Reminders CAET may use and disclose your PHI to contact you and remind you of an appointment. We may notify you by automated phone system, a personal call, or by mail.
5. Treatment Options CAET may use and disclose your PHI to inform you of potential treatment options or alternatives.
6. Health-Related Benefits and Services  CAET may use and disclose
   your PHI to inform you of health related benefits or services that may be of interest to you.
7. Release of Information to Family/Friends  CAET will routinely disclose to your spouse the PHI directly relevant to his/her involvement with your health care, PHI related to payment of your health care, and PHI used for notification purposes.  Our practice may release your PHI to another family member or friend you identify, that is involved in your care.
8. Disclosures Required by Law  CAET will use and disclose you PHI when we are required to do so by federal, state, or local law.

YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR PHI

1. You may request restrictions on the use and disclosure of your PHI. We will comply to the best of our ability.
2. You may request to receive confidential communications concerning your medical condition and treatment in a specific manner. 
3. You may inspect and obtain copies of your PHI.
4. You may request to amend or submit corrections to your PHI. We are not required to make these corrections.
5. You may request an accounting of how and to whom your PHI has been disclosed outside our practice.
6. You may file a complaint if you believe your privacy has been violated. Please file your complaint in writing. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.

CAET will obtain your written authorization for uses and disclosures that are not identified by this notice or permitted by applicable law.  You may revoke any authorization you provide to us regarding the use and disclosure of your PHI at any time in writing.  After you revoke your authorization, we will no longer use or disclose your PHI for the reasons described in the authorization. Please note, we are required to retain records of your care.

Revised 5/25/2004