Privacy Statement

Verified Providers, LLC and our fully owned subsidiary, PainPhysicians.Org is committed to providing its users with an Internet experience that respects and protects their personal privacy choices and concerns. We have created this privacy statement in order to demonstrate our firm commitment to privacy. The following discloses our information gathering and dissemination practices for the website: www.painphysicians.org.

This site contains links to other sites. Verified Providers, LLC is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such Web sites.

Personal Information Collected

When you register, you will have access to and be able to use the “Virtual Pain Center.”  The “Virtual Pain Center” is comprised of practice tools which includes a basic Electronic Medical Records System.  Use of the “Virtual Pain Center” tools is voluntary.   All information is stored on a HIPAA compliant server.  However, HIPAA compliance is up to the individual practitioner to determine.  Verified Providers, LLC and it’s fully owned subsidiary PainPhysicians.Org does not attest to have attained “HIPAA compliance” although we strive to comply as best we can to the latest published guidelines.  We leave this determination to you, the individual provider to determine whether or not such use violates HIPAA rules and regulations.  We will not be held liable for any violations to the current HIPAA rules and regulations. 

Once you register and sign in, you are not anonymous to us. In the event of abuse, this information may be used to revoke your existing access to this and other sites owned and operated by Verified Providers, LLC.

All personally identifiable health care information submitted to our site will not be disclosed to any person or third party.  All reasonable measures to protect such information such as storage on secure servers and password identification have been utilized.  Therefore we will not be responsible for unforeseen breaches in our security system.  The personally identifiable information we collect is not used for any purposes other than that stated in our “About Us” section.  Please note that Verified Providers, LLC and it’s fully owned subsidiary “PainPhysicians.Org”  will not intentionally share the contents of any email or form submitted through this site with any third party. However, due to the nature of electronic communications, we cannot and do not provide assurances that the contents will not become known or accessible to third parties.

All information submitted through the Virtual Pain Center is voluntary and becomes the property of Verified Providers, LLC.

Public Forums

This site makes limited use of forums, message boards, and/or news groups available to its users. Please remember that any information that is disclosed in these areas becomes public information and you should exercise caution when deciding to disclose your personal information.

Security

This site has security measures in place to protect the loss, misuse and alteration of the information under our control. Information is stored on secure servers. Access to change or edit content/information is restricted to those authorized by Verified Providers, LLC to do so.

Updates and Changes to Privacy Policy

We reserve the right, at any time to add to, change, update or modify this privacy policy, simply by posting such change, update or modification on the site. Any such change, update or modification will be effectively immediately upon posting.

General Provisions of our Privacy Policy

I. We have a legal duty to protect health information about you

We are required to protect the privacy of health information about you and that can be identified with you, which we call “Protected Health Information" (PHI). We must give you notice of our legal duties and privacy practices concerning your PHI. This NPP describes the types of uses and disclosures that we may make regarding your PHI.

We are required to follow the procedures in this NPP. We reserve the right to change the terms of this NPP and to make new provisions effective for all PHI that we maintain. You have the right to receive a copy of any changes made to this NPP. Any changes to this NPP will be posted on our website. You may also receive an updated NPP by making a written request via postal mail or by visiting our website.

II. We may use and disclose PHI about you without your consent

in the following circumstances

1. Business Operations:

We may use and disclose PHI about you for the purposes of carrying out business operations.

Some examples of using and disclosing PHI for business operations include, but are not limited to: a) working with outside organizations, such as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization, for the purpose of assessing the quality of the care we provide; b) conducting business management and general administrative activities related to our organization and the services it provides, including providing information; c) complying with this NPP and with applicable laws.

2. Other Circumstances:

We may use and disclose PHI about you in other circumstance in which you do not have to consent, give authorization for, or otherwise have an opportunity to agree or object to.

Some examples of these circumstances include, but are not limited to: a) when federal, state, or local law require disclosure with a court order; b) when reporting to public health officials regarding the risk of contracting or spreading communicable disease(s) and to avert a serious threat to health and/or safety towards you or anyone else; c) when reporting abuse, neglect, or domestic violence; d) when reporting to health oversight committees; e) when relating to military or veterans' activities; f) when relating to correctional institutions and in other law enforcement custodial situations.

III. Contact regarding information about treatment, services, products, or health care providers

We may use and disclose PHI to manage or coordinate your healthcare. This may include telling you about treatments, services, products, and/or other healthcare providers.

 

IV. Any other use or disclosure of your PHI requires your written authorization

Under any circumstances other than those listed above, we will ask for your written authorization before we use or disclose your PHI. If you sign a written authorization allowing us to use and disclose your PHI you can later cancel your authorization in writing. If you cancel your authorization in writing, we will not use or disclose your PHI after we receive your cancellation, except for uses and disclosures that were being processed before we received your cancellation.

1. You have the right to request restrictions on uses and disclosures regarding your PHI:

You have the right to request that we restrict the use and disclosure of your PHI (45 CFR 522). We are not required to agree to your requested restrictions. You must request any restrictions of your PHI in writing.

2. You have the right to request different ways to communicate with you:

You have the right to request how and where we contact you about your PHI. You must request any alternative means of communication in writing.

3. You have the right to see and copy your PHI:

You have the right to request to see and receive a copy of your PHI (45 CFR 164.528). We maintain the right to charge you related fees. You must request a copy (or an explanation) of your PHI in writing.  

4. You have the right to request an amendment of your PHI:

You have the right to request that we make amendments to your PHI (45 CFR 164.528). You must request any amendments along with an explanation for the amendment to your PHI in writing.

5. You have the right to a listing of disclosures we have made of your PHI:

You have the right to receive a written list of disclosures of your PHI (45 CFR 164.528). You must request a list of any disclosures of your PHI in writing.

6. You have the right to a copy of this NPP:

You have the right to request a paper copy of this NPP at any time. You may obtain a copy of this NPP via our website, or if you prefer to have our office send you a copy via U.S. Postal Service, then you must make your request in writing.

VI. You may file a complaint about our privacy practices

If you think that we have violated your privacy rights, or you want to complain to us about our privacy practice, you can contact the person listed below:

Verified Providers, LLC

ATTN: Legal Department

2398 Charney Rd.

University Heights , OH 44118

If you file a complaint, we will not take any action against you or change our treatment of you in any way.

You may also send a written or electronic complaint to the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

VII. Effective date of this NPP

The effective date of this Notice of Privacy Practices is May 16, 2006.