This notice describes the type of information Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board (AAIHB) gathers about you, with whom this information may be shared, and the safeguards we have in place to protect it.  You have the right to confidentiality of your medical information and the right to approve or refuse the release of specific information except when the release is required by law.  If the practices described in this notice meet your expectations, there is nothing you need to do.  If you prefer that we do not share information, we may honor your written request in certain circumstances described below.  All employees of AAIHB, including contractors, volunteers, and Board Members, are required by law to follow this notice. Access to our facilities and records is limited to authorized personnel.  If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Notice, please contact our Privacy Officer, Rosemary Yazzie, at 764-0036.

 Federal law requires that AAIHB:
1.      Ensure that medical information about you is kept private;
2.      Give you this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your medical information;
3.      Follow the terms of this notice that is currently in effect;
4.      Notify you if we are unable to agree to a requested restriction;
5.      Accommodate reasonable requests you may have to communicate health information by alternative means or at other locations.

Changes to this notice: AAIHB reserves the right to change its privacy practices and to make the new provisions effective for all protected health information it maintains. If AAIHB makes any significant changes to this Notice, we will send you a copy within 60 days. AAIHB will post any revised Notice of Privacy Practices at public places in its offices and health care facilities and on its web site.  You may also request a copy of the notice.

I. Understanding Your Health Record/Information

We understand that medical information about you and your health is personal.  We are committed to protecting the confidentiality of your medical information.  AAIHB will not use or disclose your health information without your permission, except as disclosed in this notice.  Each time you visit a clinic or hospital where AAIHB is providing services, a record of your visit is made.  Typically, this record contains your case history, examination, test results, diagnoses and a plan for future care. This information is needed to provide you with quality care and to comply with certain legal requirements. 

II.  Your Health Information Rights

You have the right to:

• Inspect and receive a copy of your health record
• Request a restriction on certain uses and disclosures of your health information. For example, you may ask that we not disclose your health information and or treatment to a family member. AAIHB is not required to agree to your request. However, if we do, we will comply with your request unless the information is needed to provide you with emergency services.
• Request a correction/amendment to your health record.  If you believe the health information we have about you is incorrect or incomplete, we may amend your record or include your statement of disagreement.
• Request confidential communications about your health information.  For example, you may ask that we communicate with you at a location other than your home or by a different means of communications such as telephone or mail.
• Receive a listing of certain disclosures AAIHB has made of your health information upon written request. Your request must state a time period not longer than six years and may not include dates before February 26, 2003.  This information is maintained for six years or the life of the record, whichever is longer.
• Obtain a paper copy of the AAIHB Notice of Privacy Practices upon written request.
• All requests must be done in writing to Connie Garcia (address at the end of this notice).

 III. How AAIHB may use and disclose health information about you. 

The following categories describe how we may use and disclose health information.

·        For Treatment.  Health information may be disclosed to doctors, nurses, or other medical personnel who are taking part in your care.  Additionally, health information may be disclosed to persons outside AAIHB or medical facilities for your care.  For example, your hearing information may be provided to a hearing instrument manufacturer to determine the most appropriate type of hearing aid for you. We may also disclose medical information about you to people who may be involved in your medical care after you leave the facility, such as family members, Community Health Representatives (CHRs), Public Health Nurses, (PHNs), or others who provide services that are part of your care.

·        For Payment.  We may use and disclose medical information about you so that we may bill private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid for services.  The information on or accompanying the bill will include information that identifies you, as well as your diagnosis, procedures, and supplies used for your treatment.  For example, we may provide a diagnosis of your hearing loss to Medicaid when requesting payment for a hearing aid.

·        We will use and disclose your health information for health care operations. Certain uses and disclosures may be necessary to run the facility and make sure that all of our patients receive quality care.  For example: We may use your health information to review our treatment and services and to evaluate the performance of our staff in caring for you.  Business Associates: AAIHB provides some healthcare services and related functions through the use of contracts with business associates. For example, AAIHB releases hearing health care information to hearing instrument manufacturers.  We require our business associates to protect and safeguard your health information in accordance with all applicable federal laws.

·        Appointment reminders.  We may use and disclose health information to contact you as a reminder that you have an appointment or to inform you of your hearing aid status. 

·        Treatment alternatives.  We may use and disclose medical information to tell you about or recommend possible treatment options or alternatives that are available to you.

·        Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment for Your Care.  We may release health information about you to a friend or family member who is involved in your health care. We may also release information to someone who helps pay for your care.

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

·        Interpreters.  If interpreters are used to provide quality care, your health care information may be shared with them.

·        Health Oversight Activities.  We may disclose health information to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law.  This may include audits, investigations, inspections and licensure.

·        Food and Drug Administration (FDA): AAIHB may use or disclose your health information to the FDA in connection with an FDA-regulated product or activity. For example, we may disclose to the FDA information concerning adverse events involving product defects or problems, and information needed to track FDA-regulated products or to conduct product recalls, repairs, replacements, or look backs (including locating people who have received products that have been recalled or withdrawn).

·        Workers Compensation: AAIHB may use or disclose your health information for workers compensation purposes as authorized or required by law.

 Any other uses and disclosures will be made only with your written authorization, which you may later revoke in writing at any time. (Such revocation would not apply where the health information already has been disclosed or used or in circumstances where AAIHB has taken action in reliance on your authorization or the authorization was obtained as a condition of obtaining insurance coverage and the insurer has a legal right to contest a claim under the policy or the policy itself.)

To exercise your rights under this Notice, to ask for more information, or to report a problem, contact the AAIHB Privacy Officer at:

Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board, Inc.
Attention: Rosemary Yazzie
5015 Prospect Avenue, NE
Albuquerque, NM  87110
Telephone: 505.764.0036
Fax: 505.764.0446

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a written complaint with the above individual(s) or the Secretary of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201.  There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint