HIPAA

HIPAA

HIPAA

Updated: August 1, 2025

Updated: August 1, 2025

Our Legal Duty

Upbeat Minds is committed to protecting your protected health information (PHI) under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and California law. PHI includes information that identifies you and relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health, the provision of healthcare services, or payment for such services.

We are legally required to:

  • Maintain the privacy of your PHI

  • Provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices

  • Abide by the terms of this Notice currently in effect

  • Notify you in case of a breach of your unsecured PHI

How We May Use and Disclose Your PHI

We may use and share your PHI for the following purposes without your written authorization:

  1. Treatment – To provide, coordinate, or manage your care and related services.
    Example: Discussing your care with another healthcare provider involved in your treatment.

  2. Payment – To obtain payment for services we provide.
    Example: Submitting information to your health insurance company for reimbursement.

  3. Healthcare Operations – For practice operations, quality assessment, training, accreditation, and compliance.
    Example: Reviewing staff performance to improve services.

  4. As Required by Law – To comply with federal, state, or local laws.
    Example: Reporting suspected child abuse, elder abuse, or threats of harm to self or others as required by California law.

Other Permitted and Required Uses and Disclosures

We may also use or disclose your PHI in these situations:

  • Public Health Activities (e.g., reporting communicable diseases)

  • Health Oversight Activities (e.g., audits, licensing)

  • Judicial and Administrative Proceedings (e.g., responding to a court order)

  • Law Enforcement Purposes (e.g., reporting a crime)

  • Coroners, Medical Examiners, Funeral Directors (as needed for their duties)

  • Serious Threat to Health or Safety (to prevent harm)

  • Specialized Government Functions (e.g., military, national security)

Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization

For all other uses of your PHI, including:

  • Psychotherapy notes (separately maintained by your therapist)

  • Marketing purposes

  • Sale of PHI

We will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your information. You may revoke such authorization at any time in writing.

Your Rights Regarding Your PHI

You have the following rights under HIPAA and California law:

  • Right to Access – Inspect and request a copy of your PHI.

  • Right to Request Amendment – Ask us to correct your PHI if you believe it is inaccurate.

  • Right to an Accounting of Disclosures – Request a list of certain disclosures of your PHI.

  • Right to Request Restrictions – Ask us to restrict how we use or disclose your PHI.

  • Right to Confidential Communications – Request to be contacted in a specific way (e.g., only by phone, not mail).

  • Right to Receive a Paper Copy – Request a paper copy of this Notice, even if you agreed to receive it electronically.

California-Specific Privacy Rights

Under California law, you also have enhanced privacy protections, including stricter limits on disclosure of mental health records, HIV/AIDS information, and substance use treatment records. We will comply with all applicable state laws that provide greater protection than federal law.

Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with:

We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Changes to This Notice

We reserve the right to change this Notice and apply the revised terms to PHI we already maintain. Updated notices will be available on our website and at our practice location.