NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
At Slims Medical LLC ("we," "us," or "our"), your privacy and the security of your personal health information (PHI) are our top priorities. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your PHI in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), the Florida Information Protection Act (FIPA), and other applicable Florida state laws. By receiving services from us, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
Information We Collect
We may use your information for the following purposes:
- Treatment: We use your PHI to provide and coordinate your medical care, including consulting with healthcare providers, managing prescriptions, and evaluating your health needs.
- Payment: We use and disclose your information to process payment for services rendered.
- Healthcare Operations: We use PHI to improve the quality of care we provide, conduct internal audits, and for administrative purposes.
- Compliance with Laws: We may use or disclose your information as required by federal and state law, including reporting to public health authorities or responding to legal requests.
How We Share Your Information
We may disclose your PHI under the following circumstances:
- With Your Consent: We will obtain your written consent before sharing your information for non-treatment purposes.
- Healthcare Providers: We may share your PHI with other healthcare professionals involved in your care.
- Payment Processors: We may disclose your information to billing companies, or other entities for payment purposes.
- Legal Requirements: We may disclose your PHI to comply with a legal obligation, such as responding to a court order, government investigation, or subpoena.
- Public Health and Safety: We may disclose your PHI for public health reasons, such as preventing disease outbreaks or addressing health and safety concerns.
- Business Associates: We may disclose your PHI to third-party business associates who provide services on our behalf, such as billing or data processing. These associates are required to protect your information in accordance with HIPAA and Florida law.
Your Rights Regarding Your PHI
As a patient, you have the following rights under HIPAA and Florida law:
- Right to Access: You can request copies of your medical records or other health information we maintain, in line with Florida Statutes Section 456.057, which governs the release of medical records. We may charge a reasonable fee for copies in accordance with Florida law.
- Right to Amend: If you believe that your information is inaccurate or incomplete, you can request that we correct or amend it.
- Right to Restrict Disclosures: You can request that we limit the use or disclosure of your PHI for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. We will honor your request unless it is not feasible or legally required.
- Right to Confidential Communications: You can request that we communicate with you in a specific manner (e.g., through phone calls or secure emails).
- Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You can request a report detailing how your PHI has been disclosed.
- Right to File a Complaint: If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you have the right to file a complaint with our office or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). You can also file a complaint with the Florida Department of Health.
Data Security
We take the protection of your personal health information seriously. We implement appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure, as required by HIPAA, FIPA, and other Florida laws. These measures include encryption, secure data storage, and staff training on HIPAA and Florida state compliance.
Breach Notification
In the event of a breach that compromises the privacy or security of your PHI, we will notify you as required under HIPAA and the Florida Information Protection Act (FIPA). Florida law requires that we notify affected individuals within 30 days of a data breach. Notifications will include information about the breach, steps we have taken to address it, and what you can do to protect yourself.
Minors’ Privacy
The Site is not intended for individuals under the age of 18.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on our website with the updated effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your privacy.
Contact Us
Slims 954-614-2726 4358 N Federal Hwy Ft Lauderdale, FL 33308