THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Our Commitment to Privacy

Desert Valley Pediatrics understands that medical information is personal. We are committed to protecting your child’s Protected Health Information (PHI) in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), applicable federal regulations, and Arizona state law. We create and maintain medical records to provide care to your child and to comply with legal and regulatory requirements.

This Notice explains:

• How we may use and disclose your child’s PHI
• Your rights regarding your child’s PHI
• Our legal duties with respect to that information

We are required by law to maintain the privacy of PHI, provide this Notice, and follow the terms of the current version of this Notice.

We reserve the right to change the terms of this Notice at any time. Any changes will apply to all PHI we maintain, including information created or received before the changes. The current Notice will be available in our office and on our website upon request.

Contact Information

If you have questions about this Notice or need additional information, please contact:

What Is Protected Health Information (PHI)?

Protected Health Information is information that identifies your child and relates to:

1. Your child’s past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition;
2. The provision of health care to your child; or
3. The past, present, or future payment for health care services.

How We May Use and Disclose PHI

For Treatment

We may use or disclose PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your child’s health care. This may include sharing information with physicians, nurses, specialists, laboratories, pharmacies, or other health care providers involved in your child’s care.

For Payment

We may use and disclose PHI to bill and collect payment for services provided to your child. This may include eligibility verification, claims submission, utilization review, and authorization activities.

For Health Care Operations

We may use and disclose PHI for operational purposes, including quality assessment, staff training, licensing, accreditation, audits, and business planning.

Appointment Reminders and Health-Related Communications

We may contact you to remind you of appointments, provide instructions, discuss treatment options, or inform you about health-related benefits or services.

Electronic Communications

We may communicate with you about your child’s care using:

• Patient portals
• Email
• SMS text messaging
• RCS text messaging

These communications may include appointment reminders, check-in information, billing notices, or care-related messages. While we take reasonable steps to safeguard electronic communications, they may carry some risk of interception. By providing your contact information and using these services, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

You may request alternative communication methods at any time.

Mobile Phone Number Privacy

Text Messaging Terms of Service

Parents, Guardians, and Minors

Generally, parents or legal guardians may access their minor child’s PHI. However, access may be restricted in certain situations as required by Arizona or federal law, including circumstances where a minor may legally consent to care. We will comply with applicable laws regarding minor confidentiality and parental access.

Additional Permitted Uses and Disclosures

We may also use or disclose PHI:

• As Required by Law – To comply with federal, state, or local laws.
• Public Health Activities – Including reporting births, deaths, communicable diseases, adverse drug reactions, recalls, and child abuse or neglect.
• Health Oversight Activities – Such as audits, investigations, inspections, and licensure.
• To Avert a Serious Threat – To prevent a serious threat to health or safety.
• Business Associates – To vendors who perform services on our behalf under contracts requiring privacy and security protections.
• Law Enforcement and Legal Proceedings – As permitted or required by law.
• Coroners, Medical Examiners, and Funeral Directors – To carry out their duties.
• Workers’ Compensation – As authorized by law.
• Breach Notification – To notify you of unauthorized access to unsecured PHI.

Uses and Disclosures Requiring Opportunity to Agree or Object

Individuals Involved in Your Child’s Care

Unless you object, we may share PHI with family members, relatives, or others involved in your child’s care or payment for care. If you are unavailable, we may use professional judgment to determine whether disclosure is in your child’s best interest.

Disaster Relief

We may disclose PHI to disaster relief organizations to coordinate care or notify family members, when appropriate.

Uses and Disclosures Requiring Written Authorization

We will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing PHI for:

• Marketing purposes involving payment
• Sale of PHI

You may revoke an authorization at any time in writing, except to the extent we have already relied on it.

Your Rights Regarding PHI

You have the right to:

• Inspect and Copy your child’s PHI
• Receive an Electronic Copy of electronic health records
• Request Amendments to PHI
• Request an Accounting of Disclosures
• Request Restrictions on certain uses or disclosures
• Request Confidential Communications
• Receive Notice of a Breach of unsecured PHI
• Obtain a Paper Copy of this Notice at any time

Requests must be submitted in writing to the Privacy Officer. Fees may apply as permitted by law.

Complaints

You may file a complaint if you believe your child’s privacy rights have been violated. There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint.

To file a complaint with us: Contact the Privacy Officer at the address listed above.

To file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Language Assistance

If you have difficulty reading or understanding English, free language assistance and translated versions of this Notice are available upon request, including Spanish.

This Notice applies to all services provided by Desert Valley Pediatrics.