OUR LEGAL DUTY
We are required by applicable federal and state law to maintain the privacy of your health information. We are also required to give you this Notice about our privacy practices, our legal duties, and your rights concerning your health information. We must follow the privacy practices that are described in this Notice while it is in effect. The Notice takes effect April 1, 2003, and will remain in effect until we replace it.

USES AND DISCLOSURES OF HEALTH INFORMATION
We use and disclose health information about you for your treatment, payment, and healthcare operations. For example:

Treatment: We may use or disclose your health information to a physician or other healthcare provider providing treatment to you.

Your Authorization: In addition to our use of health information for treatment, payment or healthcare operations, you also may give us written authorization to use your health information or to disclose it to anyone for any purpose. If you give us authorization, you may revoke it in writing at any time. Your revocation will not affect any use or disclosures permitted by authorization while it was in effect. Unless you give us a written authorization, we cannot use or disclose your health information for any reason except those described in this Notice.

To Your Family and Friends: We must disclose your health information to you, as described in the Patient Rights section of this Notice. We may disclose your health information to a family member, friend or other person to the extent necessary to help with your healthcare or with payment for your healthcare, but only if you agree that we do so. In the event of your incapacity or emergency circumstances, we will disclose health information based on a determination using our professional judgment.

Required by Law: We may use or disclose your health information when we are required to do so by law. We may disclose your health information to the extent necessary to avert a serious threat to your health or safety, or the health or safety of others.

Appointment Reminders: We may use or disclose your health information to provide you with appointment reminders (such as voicemail messages, postcards, or letters).

PATIENT RIGHTS
Access: You have the right to look at or get copies of your health information.

Alternative Communication: You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your health information by alternative means or to alternative locations.