Privacy Policy

This notice explains how your medical information may be used and shared, and how you can access it. Please review it carefully.

Introduction

By law, we are required to protect the privacy of your “protected health information.” This includes any identifiable information related to your physical or mental health, the care you receive, or payment for that care.

As required, this notice outlines your rights, our legal obligations, and how we handle the privacy of your protected health information. It also details how we use and disclose this information. We must follow the terms of this notice, though we reserve the right to change it and apply the changes to all information we hold. You can always request the latest version from our office.

Permitted Uses and Disclosures

We may use or disclose your protected health information for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations:

  • Treatment: We coordinate your healthcare, including consultations between providers or referrals. For example, if you have diabetes, a doctor treating a broken leg may need to access your records to manage the condition.

  • Payment: We provide your information to insurers or third-party payers to determine coverage and receive payment for services. For example, we may need to share details with your medical aid before a procedure to confirm coverage.

  • Healthcare Operations: We use your information for practice management, quality assurance, staff evaluations, and planning. For instance, we might review patient records to improve services or evaluate staff performance.

Communication with You and Your Family

We may contact you to remind you about appointments or to share information on treatment options and other health-related benefits. For instance, we may leave reminders on your voicemail or with a family member.

We may also share your protected health information with family members or friends involved in your care or payment. Only relevant information will be shared, and we will always give you the opportunity to object. If you’re unavailable, we will use our professional judgment to determine what is in your best interest.

Family and friends may also collect prescriptions, medical supplies, or X-rays on your behalf, provided it is deemed appropriate.

Other Situations

  • Organ and Tissue Donation: If you’re a donor, we may release your information to organisations involved in organ or tissue transplantation.

  • Military and Veterans: We may share information about armed forces members as required by military authorities.

  • Public Health Risks: We may disclose information for public health activities, such as reporting diseases, injuries, or product recalls.

  • Health Oversight Activities: We may share your information with government agencies monitoring the healthcare system or regulatory compliance.

  • Legal Proceedings and Law Enforcement: We may disclose information in response to court orders, subpoenas, or if necessary for a criminal investigation.

  • Coroners and Medical Examiners: We may release information to determine the cause of death or for other necessary functions.

  • Serious Threats: If we believe it’s necessary to prevent harm, we may disclose your information in accordance with ethical standards and the law.

Your Rights

  1. Request Restrictions: You can request limits on how we use your protected health information for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations. However, we are not required to agree to your request.

  2. Confidential Communication: You can ask to receive communication through alternative means or locations.

  3. Access to Records: You have the right to inspect and copy your medical and billing records, though there are certain exceptions.

  4. Request Amendments: You can request corrections to your records if you believe they are inaccurate.

  5. Accounting of Disclosures: You can request a list of certain disclosures made of your protected health information.

  6. Paper Copy: You have the right to request a paper copy of this privacy notice at any time.

  7. Exercising Rights: All requests or modifications to your privacy rights must be submitted in writing.

Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our office or the South African Department of Health. Complaints must be submitted in writing, and we will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Greenside Orthodontics

236 Barry Hertzog Ave, Greenside, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa

Phone: 011-646-5736