As part of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), Charlie's Hometown Pharmacy has created this Notice of Privacy Practices. This notice describes our privacy obligations and your rights regarding your protected health information (PHI). PHI is information that identifies you and relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition and related health care services. Charlie's Hometown Pharmacy must protect the privacy of your PHI that we create or receive. We will follow the terms of this notice. For any uses or disclosures not listed here, we will obtain your written authorization, which you may revoke at any time. We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and this notice. Updated notices will be posted in the pharmacy and available upon request. HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR PHI - Treatment: We use PHI to fill your prescriptions, consult with your doctors, and coordinate your care. - Payment: We disclose PHI to obtain payment from your insurer, Medicare, or other third parties. - Health Care Operations: We use PHI for quality assessment, staff training, and other operations to improve our services. ADDITIONAL USES AND DISCLOSURES WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION - As Required by Law. - Public Health Activities. - Victims of Abuse, Neglect, or Domestic Violence. - Health Oversight Activities. - Judicial and Administrative Proceedings. - Law Enforcement Purposes. - Deceased Individuals. - Organ, Eye, or Tissue Donation. - Research (with approved waiver or authorization). - Averting a Serious Threat to Health or Safety. - Specialized Government Functions. - Workers' Compensation. - Disaster Relief. - Business Associates. OTHER CONTACTS We may contact you for refill reminders, treatment alternatives, health-related benefits or services, or limited fundraising. You may opt out of fundraising communications. ALL OTHER USES AND DISCLOSURES We will obtain your written authorization for any other use or disclosure of PHI. You may revoke that authorization in writing at any time. YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION RIGHTS - Request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures (we are not required to agree). - Request confidential communications by alternative means or locations. - Inspect and obtain a copy of your PHI (reasonable fees may apply). - Request an amendment of your PHI if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete. - Receive an accounting of certain disclosures of your PHI. - Receive a paper copy of this notice upon request. REVISIONS TO THIS NOTICE We may change this notice and make the new notice effective for all PHI we maintain. The revised notice will be available at our pharmacy and on our website. COMPLAINTS If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with Charlie's Hometown Pharmacy or with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.