Privacy Policy

Your personal information is very important and I safeguard it in accordance with the laws and ethics of the of the medical field. Blue Wave Counseling collects your information for the following reasons;

Treatment
Blue Wave Counseling may need to use or disclose health information about you to provide, manage or coordinate your care or related services, which could include consultants and potential referral sources.

Payment
We collect information needed to verify insurance coverage with your insurance provider, to process your claims as well as information needed for billing and collection purposes. Blue Wave Counseling may bill the person in your family who pays for your insurance.

Other Uses or Disclosures of Your Information That Does Not Require Your Consent: The Department of Health and Human Services requires me, as a licensed mental health counselor in Florida, to list specific situations in which one’s personal information might be released. Thus, your verbal communication and clinical records are strictly confidential except for:

  1. Appointments – for appointment reminders or notification when an appointment
  2. Harm to Self or Others – if you provide information that informs me that you are in danger of harming yourself or others
  3. Abuse or Neglect – to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of any child or vulnerable adult; in these cases, I am required by Florida State Law to report this to the Florida Abuse Registry, 1-800-96-ABUSE
  4. Insurance Companies – Communicating with your provider for the purpose of billing
  5. Consultation – information necessary for case supervision or consultation
  6. Emergency Treatment – when you need medical care in a crisis
  7. Health and Safety – to prevent or reduce a serious threat to someone’s health or safety
  8. Legal Proceedings – in response to court orders and other legal actions
  9. Law Enforcement – if you are missing or in danger. Law enforcement may have access to your information for legal or civil proceedings and if a crime is committed at the counseling office.
  10. Public Health – to report diseases, drug reactions or other public health concerns

 

Patient Rights

Right to release your counseling record
You may consent in writing to release your records to others. You have the right to revoke this authorization, in writing, at any time. However, a revocation is not valid to the extent that I acted in reliance on such authorization.

Right to inspect and copy your counseling and billing records
You have the right to obtain a copy of your information contained in the counseling record. You also may request access to your billing or health information. Processing fees may apply.

Right to add information or amend your counseling record
If you feel information contained in your record is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask to add information to amend the record. Your counselor will make a decision on your request w/in 60 days, or some cases w/in 90 days. Under certain circumstances, your request may be denied. If your request is denied, you have a right to file a statement that you disagree. Your statement and your counselor’s response will be added to your record. To request an amendment, you must contact your counselor. You must submit your request in writing & provide an explanation concerning the reason for your request.

Right to an accounting of disclosures
You may request an accounting of any disclosures, if any, that have been made related to your medical information, except for information used for treatment, payment, or health care operational purposes or that we shared with you or your family, or information that you gave us specific consent to release. It also excludes information your counselor was required to release.

Right to request restrictions on uses and disclosures of your health information
You have the right to ask for restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your health information. This request must be in writing and submitted to your counselor. However, your counselor is not required to agree to such a request.

Right to complain
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, please contact your counselor personally, and discuss your concerns. If you are not satisfied, you may file a written complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. An individual will not be retaliated against for filing such a complaint.

Right to receive changes in policy
You have the right to receive any future policy changes secondary to changes in state and federal laws. This can be obtained from your counselor.