Effective date: September 10, 2026
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.
This Notice describes the privacy practices of our practice. We are required by law to maintain the privacy of Protected Health Information (PHI), to provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, and to notify affected individuals following a breach of unsecured PHI.
How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information
We may use and disclose your PHI for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations without your written authorization:
- Treatment: We use your medical information to provide, coordinate, or manage your pain management care. This includes sharing information with spine specialists, physical therapists, pharmacies, diagnostic imaging centers, or referring physicians involved in your treatment plan.
- Payment: We use and disclose your PHI to bill and collect payment from you, your insurance company, or third-party payers for the services and procedures you receive (e.g., nerve blocks, epidurals, or physical therapy).
- Healthcare Operations: We may use your PHI to support our business operations, such as quality assessment, employee evaluations, compliance reviews, licensing, and auditing.
Special Circumstances for Pain Management Practices
Because pain management often involves specialized care and controlled substances, specific disclosure policies apply:
- Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMP): As required or permitted by state law, we access and submit prescription data to state PDMPs to safely monitor controlled substance prescriptions.
- Controlled Substance Agreements: Information regarding your compliance with treatment plans and drug screenings may be shared with your treating providers to ensure safe and legal prescribing practices.
- Appointment Reminders & Service Alternatives: We may contact you to remind you of scheduled procedures or appointments, or to inform you about treatment alternatives and health-related benefits.
Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Written Authorization
We will not use or disclose your PHI for any purpose not outlined in this notice without your explicit written authorization, including:
- Psychotherapy Notes: Most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes require your written authorization.
- Marketing: We will not sell or use your PHI for marketing purposes without your prior written permission.
- Sale of PHI: We will never sell your personal health information.
You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent that action has already been taken.
Permitted Uses and Disclosures Without Consent
We may disclose your PHI without your authorization under specific legal conditions:
- Required by Law: Federal, state, or local legal requirements or judicial orders.
- Public Health & Safety: Reporting adverse events, preventing disease spread, or averting a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.
- Workers’ Compensation: Compliance with laws relating to workers’ compensation or similar programs.
- Health Oversight Activities: Audits, investigations, or inspections by government regulatory agencies.
- Law Enforcement & Legal Proceedings: Subpoenas, court orders, or administrative mandates.
Your Individual Health Information Rights
- Right to Inspect and Copy: You have the right to inspect and obtain an electronic or paper copy of your medical records.
- Right to Request Restrictions: You may ask us to limit how we use or disclose your PHI for treatment, payment, or operations. Note: We are not required to agree, except if you pay out-of-pocket in full for a service and request that we not notify your health plan.
- Right to Request Confidential Communications: You can request that we contact you via a specific phone number or mailing address.
- Right to Amend: If you feel your medical record is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment in writing with a supporting reason.
- Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You may request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your PHI.
- Right to a Paper Copy: You may request a printed copy of this Notice at any time.
Breach Notification & Complaints
- Breach Notification: We will notify you promptly if a breach occurs that compromises the privacy or security of your unsecured PHI.
- Filing a Complaint: If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our Privacy Officer or with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Contact Information
To exercise any of your rights or for questions regarding this notice, please contact:
Privacy Officer
John Serpa, MD, PA
1800 W 68th St, Ste 114
Hialeah, FL 33014
Phone: 305.698.9077
Email: privacy@todayihavenopain.com