HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

Effective April 14, 2003

HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices for Personal Health Information
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
If you have any questions about this notice, please call the Bayonne Medical Center Privacy Officer at 201-339-4587

WHO WILL FOLLOW THIS NOTICE
This notice describes Bayonne Medical Center' s practices and that of:

Any health care professional authorized to enter information into your Bayonne Medical Center chart.
All departments and units of the Medical Center.
Any member of a volunteer group we allow to help you while you are in the Medical Center.
All employees, staff and other personnel.
Bayonne Management Services Organization, Inc., Bayonne Medical Center Foundation, Inc. and the Bayonne Medical Center Senior Health Center. All these entities, sites and locations follow the terms of this notice. In addition, these entities, sites and locations may share medical information with each other for treatment, payment or health care operations purposes described in this notice.

OUR PLEDGE REGARDING MEDICAL INFORMATION:
We understand that medical information about you and your health is personal. We are committed to protecting medical information about you. We create a record of the care and services you receive at the Medical Center. We need this record to provide you with quality care and to comply with certain legal requirements. This notice applies to all of the records of your care generated by the Medical Center, whether made by Medical Center personnel or your personal doctor.

Your personal doctor may have different policies or notices regarding the doctor's use and disclosure of your medical information created in the doctor's office or clinic.

This notice will tell you about the ways in which we may use and disclose medical information about you. We also describe your rights and certain obligations we have regarding the use and disclosure of medical information.

We are required by law to:

make sure that medical information that identifies you is kept private and disclose such information only in a manner as permitted by law;
give you this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to medical information about you, and
follow the terms of the notice that are currently in effect.

HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU:
The following categories describe different ways that we use and disclose medical information. For each category of uses or disclosures we will explain what we mean and try to give some examples. Not every use or disclosure in a category will be listed. However, all of the ways we are permitted to use and disclose information will fall within one of the categories. This Section is subject to certain limitations on specific medical information further described in the section, Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Written Authorization.

For Treatment We may use medical information about you to provide you with medical treatment or services. We may disclose medical information about you to doctors, nurses, technicians, medical students, or other Medical Center personnel who are involved in taking care of you at the Medical Center. For example, a doctor treating you for a broken leg may need to know if you have diabetes because diabetes may slow the healing process. In addition, the doctor may need to tell the dietitian if you have diabetes so that we can arrange for appropriate meals. Different departments of the Medical Center also may share medical information about you in order to coordinate the different things you need, such as prescriptions, lab work and x-rays. We also may disclose medical information about you to people outside the Medical Center who may be involved in your medical care after you leave the Medical Center, such as family members, clergy or others who provide services that are part of your care.

For Payment We may use and disclose medical information about you so that the treatment and services you receive at the Medical Center may be billed to and payment may be collected from you, an insurance company or a third party. For example, we may need to give your health plan information about surgery you received at the Medical Center so your health plan will pay us or reimburse you for the surgery. We may also tell your health plan about a treatment you are going to receive to obtain prior approval or to determine whether your plan will cover the treatment.

For Health Care Operations We may use and disclose medical information about you for health care operations. These uses and disclosures are necessary to run the Medical Center and make sure that all of our patients receive quality care. For example, we may use medical information to review our treatment and services and to evaluate the performance of our staff in caring for you. We may also combine medical information about many Bayonne Medical Center patients to decide what additional services the Medical Center should offer, what services are not needed, and whether certain new treatments are effective. We may also disclose information to doctors, nurses, technicians, medical students, and other Bayonne Medical Center personnel for review and learning purposes. We may also combine the medical information we have with medical information from other hospitals to compare how we are doing and to see where we can make improvements in the care and services we offer. We may remove information that identifies you from this set of medical information so others may use it to study health care and health care delivery without learning who the specific patients are.

Appointment Reminders We may use and disclose medical information to contact you as a reminder that you have an appointment for treatment or medical care at the Medical Center.

Treatment Alternatives We may use and disclose medical information to tell you about or recommend possible treatment options or alternatives that may be of interest to you.

Health-Related Benefits and Services We may use and disclose medical information to tell you about health-related benefits or services that may be of interest to you.

Fundraising Activities We may use medical information about you to contact you in an effort to raise money for the Medical Center and its operations. We may disclose medical information to a foundation related to the Medical Center so that the Bayonne Medical Center Foundation may contact you in raising money for the Medical Center. We only would release contact information, such as your name, address and phone number and the dates you received treatment or services at the Medical Center. If you do not want the Medical Center or Foundation to contact you for fundraising efforts, please notify us in writing by sending a letter to the following address:

Bayonne Medical Center, Inc.
29th Street at Avenue E
Bayonne, New Jersey 07002
Attention: Privacy Officer
Email: privacyoffice@bayonnemedicalcenter.org
Phone: (201) 339-4587
Fax: 201) 858-7371

Bayonne Medical Center Directory We may include limited information about you in the Bayonne Medical Center directory while you are a patient at the Medical Center. This information may include your name, location in the Medical Center, your general condition (e.g., fair, stable, etc.) and your religious affiliation. The directory information, except for your religious affiliation, may also be released to people who ask for you by name. Your religious affiliation may be given to a member of the clergy, such as a priest or rabbi, even if they don't ask for you by name. This is so your family, friends and clergy can visit you in the Medical Center and so they will generally know how you are doing. You have the right to request restrictions on this information. (See the section Right to Request Restrictions.)

Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment for Your Care We may release medical information about you to a friend or family member who is involved in your medical care. We may also give information to someone who helps pay for your care. We may also tell your family or friends of your condition and that you are in the Medical Center. In addition, we may disclose medical information about you to an entity assisting in a disaster relief effort so that your family can be notified about your condition, status and location.

Research Under certain circumstances, we may use and disclose medical information about you for research purposes. For example, a research project may involve comparing the health and recovery of all patients who received one medication to those who received another for the same condition. All research projects, however, are subject to a special approval process. This process evaluates a proposed research project and its use of medical information, trying to balance the research needs with patients' needs for privacy of their medical information.

Before we use or disclose medical information for research, the project will have been approved through this research approval process, but we may, however, disclose medical information about you to people preparing to conduct a research project, for example, to help them look for patients with specific medical needs, so long as the medical information they review does not leave the Medical Center. We will ask for your specific permission if the researcher will have access to your name, address or other information that reveals who you are, or will be involved in your care at the Medical Center or we will ask an Institutional Review Board to waive the requirement to obtain an authorization from you. A waiver of authorization will be based upon assurances from a review board that the researchers will adequately protect your medical information.

As Required by Law We will disclose medical information about you when required to do so by federal, state or local law.

To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety We may use and disclose medical information about you when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of the public or another person. Any disclosure, however, would only be to someone able to help prevent the threat.

SPECIAL SITUATIONS:
Organ and Tissue Donation If you are an organ donor, we may release medical information to organizations that handle organ procurement or organ, eye or tissue transplantation or to an organ donation bank, as necessary to facilitate organ or tissue donation and transplantation.

Military and Veterans If you are a member of the Armed Forces, we may release medical information about you as required by military command authorities. We may also release medical information about foreign military personnel to the appropriate foreign military authority.

Workers' Compensation We may release medical information about you for workers' compensation or similar programs. These programs provide benefits for work-related injuries or illness.

Public Health Risks We may disclose medical information about you for public health activities. These activities generally include the following:

to prevent or control disease, injury or disability;
to report births and deaths;
to report child abuse or neglect;
to report reactions to medications or problems with products;
to notify people of recalls of products they may be using;
to notify a person who may have been exposed to a disease or may be at risk for contracting or spreading a disease or condition; and
to notify the appropriate government authority if we believe a patient has been the victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence. We will only make this disclosure if you agree or when required or authorized by law.

Health Oversight Activities We may disclose medical information to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law. These oversight activities include, for example, audits, investigations, inspections, licensure and disciplinary actions. These activities are necessary for the government to monitor the health care system, government programs, and compliance with civil rights laws.

Lawsuits and Disputes If you are involved in a lawsuit or a dispute, we may disclose medical information about you in response to a court or administrative order. We may also disclose medical information about you in response to a subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process by someone else involved in the dispute, but only if the party seeking the information has provided us with satisfactory assurance that you have been given notice of the request and that the party seeking the information has received a protective order to protect the information requested.

Law Enforcement We may release medical information if asked to do so by a law enforcement official:

in response to a court order, subpoena, warrant, summons or similar process;
to identify or locate a suspect, fugitive, material witness, or missing person;
about the victim of a crime if, under certain limited circumstances, we are unable to obtain the person 's agreement;
about a death we believe may be the result of criminal conduct;
about criminal conduct at the Medical Center; and
in emergency circumstances to report a crime; the location of the crime or victims; or the identity, description or location of the person who committed the crime.

Coroners, Medical Examiners and Funeral Directors We may release medical information to a coroner or medical examiner. This may be necessary, for example, to identify a deceased person or determine the cause of death. We may also release medical information about patients of the Medical Center to funeral directors as necessary to perform their duties.

National Security and Intelligence Activities We may release medical information about you to authorized federal officials for intelligence, counterintelligence, and other national security activities authorized by law.

Protective Services for the President and Others We may disclose medical information about you to authorized federal officials so they may provide protection to the President of the United States, other authorized persons or foreign heads of state or for them to conduct special investigations.

Inmates If you are an inmate of a correctional institution or under the custody of a law enforcement official, we may release medical information about you to the correctional institution or law enforcement official. This release would be necessary (1) for the institution to provide you with health care; (2) to protect your health and safety or the health and safety of others; or (3) for the safety and security of the correctional institution.

USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRING YOUR WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION:
This Section describes when we must obtain your written permission to use or disclosure your medical information.

Use or Disclosure with Your Authorization. For any purpose other than as described above in the section, How We May Use and Disclose Medical Information About You, and in this section, we only may use or disclose your medical information when you grant us written permission (an "Authorization").
HIV/AIDS Related Information. Your written authorization must expressly refer to your HIV/AIDS related information in order to permit us to disclose your HIV/AIDS related information. However, there are certain purposes for which we may disclose your HIV/AIDS information, without obtaining your authorization: (1) your diagnosis and treatment; (2) scientific research; (3) management audits, financial audits or program evaluation; (4) medical education; (5) disease prevention and control when permitted by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services; (6) pursuant to a court order under certain circumstances; and (7) when required or otherwise authorized by law, to the Department of Health and Senior Services or another entity.
Genetic Information. Except in certain cases (such as a paternity test for a court proceeding, anonymous research, newborn screening requirements, or pursuant to a court order), we will obtain your special written consent prior to obtaining or retaining your genetic information (for example, your DNA sample), or using or disclosing your genetic information for treatment, payment or health care operations purposes. We may use or disclose your genetic information for any other reason only when your authorization expressly refers to your genetic information or when disclosure is permitted under New Jersey State law.
Venereal Disease Information. Your written authorization must expressly refer to your venereal disease information in order to permit us to disclose any information identifying you as having or being suspected of having a venereal disease. However, there are certain purposes for which we may disclose your venereal disease information, without obtaining your authorization, including to a prosecuting officer or the court if you are being prosecuted under New Jersey law, to the Department of Health and Senior Services, or to your physician or a health authority, such as the local board of health. Your physician or a health authority may disclose your venereal disease information only if he/she/it deems it necessary in order to protect the health or welfare of you, your family or the public.
Tuberculosis Information. Your written authorization must expressly refer to your tuberculosis information in order to permit us to disclose any information identifying you as having tuberculosis or refusing/failing to submit to a tuberculosis test if you are suspected of having tuberculosis or are in close contact to a person with tuberculosis. However, there are certain purposes for which we may disclose your tuberculosis information, without obtaining your authorization, including for research purposes under certain conditions, pursuant to a valid court order, or when the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Senior Services (or his/her designee) determines that such disclosure is necessary to enforce public health laws or to protect the life or health of a named person.
Substance Abuse Information. The confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse patient records maintained by us is protected by federal law and regulations. Generally, we may not say to persons outside our facilities that a patient attends our facilities, or disclose any information identifying a patient as an alcohol or drug abuser unless the patient consents in writing, the disclosure is allowed by court order, or the disclosure is made to medical personnel in a medical emergency or to qualified personnel for research, audit or program evaluation. Accordingly, we may not disclose drug and alcohol medical records without your authorization.

YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU:
You have the following rights regarding medical information we maintain about you:

Right to Inspect and Copy You have the right to inspect and copy medical information that may be used to make decisions about your care. Usually, this includes medical and billing records, but does not include psychotherapy notes. To inspect and copy medical information that may be used to make decisions about you, you must submit your request in writing to:

Bayonne Medical Center, Inc.
29th Street at Avenue E
Bayonne, New Jersey 07002
Attention: Health Information Services Department
Phone: (201) 858-5308

If you request a copy of the information, we may charge a fee for the costs of copying, mailing or other supplies associated with your request.

We may deny your request to inspect and copy in certain very limited circumstances. If you are denied access to medical information, you may request that the denial be reviewed. Another licensed health care professional chosen by the Medical Center will review your request and the denial. The person conducting the review will not be the person who denied your request. We will comply with the outcome of the review.

Right to Amend If you feel that medical information we have about you is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask us to amend the information. You have the right to request an amendment for as long as the information is kept by or for the Medical Center.

To request an amendment, your request must be made in writing and submitted to:

Bayonne Medical Center, Inc.
29th Street at Avenue E
Bayonne, New Jersey 07002
Attention: Health Information Services Department
Phone: (201) 858-5308

In addition, you must provide a reason that supports your request.

We may deny your request for an amendment if it is not in writing or does not include a reason to support the request. In addition, we may deny your request if you ask us to amend information that:

was not created by us, unless the person or entity that created the information is no longer available to make the amendment;
is not part of the medical information kept by or for the Medical Center;
is not part of the information which you would be permitted to inspect and copy; or
is accurate and complete.

Right to an Accounting of Disclosures You have the right to request an "accounting of disclosures." This is a list of the disclosures we made of medical information about you. This right does not apply to uses and disclosures for treatment, payment and health care operations, as previously described, or pursuant to an authorization you have provided.

To request this list or accounting of disclosures, you must submit your request in writing to:

Bayonne Medical Center, Inc.
29th Street at Avenue E
Bayonne, New Jersey 07002
Attention: Health Information Services Department
Phone: (201) 858-5308

Your request must state a time period which may not be longer than six years and may not include dates before April 14, 2003. Your request should indicate in what form you want the list (for example, on paper or electronically). The first list you request within a 12-month period will be free. For additional lists, we may charge you for the costs of providing the list. We will notify you of the cost involved and you may choose to withdraw or modify your request at that time before any costs are incurred.

Right to Request Restrictions You have the right to request a restriction or limitation on the medical information we use or disclose about you for treatment, payment or health care operations. You also have the right to request a limit on the medical information we disclose about you in the Medical Center directory or to someone who is involved in your care or the payment for your care, such as a family member or friend.

For example, you could ask that we do not use or disclose information about a surgery you had.

We are not required to agree to your request. If we do agree, we will comply with your request unless the information is needed to provide you with emergency treatment.

To request restrictions, you must make your request in writing to:

Bayonne Medical Center, Inc.
29th Street at Avenue E
Bayonne, New Jersey 07002
Attention: Health Information Services Department
Phone: (201) 858-5308

In your request, you must tell us (1) what information you want to limit; (2) whether you want to limit our use, disclosure or both; and (3) to whom you want the limits to apply, for example, disclosures to your spouse.

Right to Request Confidential Communications You have the right to request that we communicate with you about medical matters in a certain way or at a certain location. For example, you can ask that we only contact you at work or by mail.

To request confidential communications, you must make your request in writing to:

Bayonne Medical Center, Inc.
29th Street at Avenue E
Bayonne, New Jersey 07002
Attention: Health Information Services Department
Phone: (201) 858-5308

We will not ask you the reason for your request. We will accommodate all reasonable requests. Your request must specify how or where you wish to be contacted.

Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice You have the right to a paper copy of this notice. You may ask us to give you a copy of this notice at any time. Even if you have agreed to receive this notice electronically, you are still entitled to a paper copy of this notice. You may obtain a copy of this notice at our website, www.bayonnemedicalcenter.org . To obtain a paper copy of this notice contact:

Bayonne Medical Center, Inc.
29th Street at Avenue E
Bayonne, New Jersey 07002
Attention: Health Information Services Department
Phone: (201) 858-5308

CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE:
We reserve the right to change this notice. We reserve the right to make the revised or changed notice effective for medical information we already have about you as well as any information we receive in the future. We will post a copy of the current notice in the Medical Center. The notice will contain on the first page, in the top left-hand corner, the effective date. In addition, each time you register at, or are admitted to, the Medical Center for treatment or health care services as an inpatient or outpatient, we will offer you a copy of the current notice in effect.

COMPLAINTS:
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with the Medical Center or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. To file a complaint with the Medical Center, contact:

Bayonne Medical Center, Inc.
29th Street at Avenue E
Bayonne, New Jersey 07002
Attention: Privacy Officer
Email: privacyoffice@bayonnemedicalcenter.org
Phone: (201) 339-4587
Fax: 201) 858-7371

All complaints must be submitted in writing. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.

OTHER USES OF MEDICAL INFORMATION:
Other uses and disclosures of medical information not covered by this notice or the laws that apply to us will be made only with your written permission. If you provide us permission to use or disclose medical information about you, you may revoke that permission, in writing, at any time. If you revoke your permission, we will no longer use or disclose medical information about you for the reasons covered by your written authorization. You understand that we are unable to take back any disclosures we have already made with your permission, and that we are required to retain our records of the care that we provided to you

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