fbpx

Introducing Telemedicine! Get Your Medication Mailed Directly To You. Prefer In-Person? Start Virtually and Continue On-site.

Loading...
HIPAA NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES2023-11-16T10:39:36+00:00

HIPAA NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

Your Information. Your Rights. Our Responsibilities.

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.

  • Our Health Information Privacy Officer is Anthony Rosario and you can contact him at:
  • (410) 760-8400
  • [email protected]
  • If using email, PLEASE DO NOT include any health information in the email. Provide enough
    information so that we can identify you and then communicate you through either a secure electronic
    system, or by voice.

YOUR RIGHTS

You have the right to:

  • Get a copy of your paper or electronic medical record
  • Correct your paper or electronic medical record
  • Request confidential communication
  • Ask us to limit the information we share
  • Get a list of those with whom we’ve shared your information
  • Get a copy of this privacy notice
  • Choose someone to act for you
  • File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated

YOUR CHOICES

You have some choices in the way that we use and share information as we market our
services.

OUR USES AND DISCLOSURES

We may use and share your information as we:

  • Treat you
  • Run our organization
  • Bill for your services
  • Comply with the law
  • Work with a medical examiner or funeral director
  • Address workers’ compensation, law enforcement, and other government
    requests
  • Respond to lawsuits and legal actions

YOUR RIGHTS

When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. This section explains your
rights and some of our responsibilities to help you.


  • Get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record

    • You can ask to see or get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other
      health information we have about you. Ask us how to do this.
    • We will provide a copy or a summary of your health information, usually within 30 days
      of your request. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.

  • Ask us to correct your medical record

    • You can ask us to correct health information about you that you think is incorrect or
      incomplete. Ask us how to do this.
    • We may say “no” to your request, but we’ll tell you why in writing within 60 days.

  • Request confidential communications

    • You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example, home or office phone) or to
      send mail to a different address.
    • We will say “yes” to all reasonable requests.

  • Ask us to limit what we use or share

    • You can ask us not to use or share certain health information for treatment, payment, or
      our operations. We are not required to agree to your request, and we may say “no” if it
      would affect your care.
    • If you pay for a service or health care item out-of-pocket in full, you can ask us not to
      share that information for the purpose of payment or our operations with your health
      insurer. We will say “yes” unless a law requires us to share that information.

  • Get a list of those with whom we’ve shared information

    • You can ask for a list (accounting) of the times we’ve shared your health information for
      six years prior to the date you ask, who we shared it with, and why.
    • We will include all the disclosures except for those about treatment, payment, and
      health care operations, and certain other disclosures (such as any you asked us to
      make). We’ll provide one accounting a year for free but will charge a reasonable, cost-
      based fee if you ask for another one within 12 months.

  • Get a copy of this privacy notice

    • You can ask for a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive the
      notice electronically. We will provide you with a paper copy promptly.

  • Choose someone to act for you

    • If you have given someone medical power of attorney or if someone is your legal
      guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health
      information.
    • We will review the power of attorney in good faith to determine the person has this
      authority and can act for you before we take any action. We are not liable for fraudulent
      power of attorney forms to the extent we exercise reasonable effort to confirm their
      validity, provided this limitation is subject to any restrictions provided by applicable law.

  • File a complaint if you feel your rights are violated

    • You can complain if you feel we have violated your rights by contacting us using the
      information provided at the top of the Notice of Privacy Practices.
    • You can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office
      for Civil Rights by sending a letter to 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C.
      20201, calling 1-877-696-6775, or visiting www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/.
    • We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

YOUR CHOICES

For certain health information, you can tell us your choices about what we share. If you have
a clear preference for how we share your information in the situations described below, talk to
us. Tell us what you want us to do, and we will follow your instructions.


  • In these cases, you have both the right and choice to tell us to:

      • Share information with your family, close friends, or others involved in your care
      • Share information in a disaster relief situation
      • Share information in another manner specified by you, however, if not expressly
        required by law, we may deny such request, or condition such request on a reasonable
        fee

    If you are not able to tell us your preference, for example if you are unconscious, we may go
    ahead and share your information if we believe it is in your best interest. We may also share
    your information when needed to lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.


  • In these cases we never share your information unless you give us written permission:

    • Marketing purposes
    • Sale of your information
    • Most sharing of psychotherapy notes

OUR USES AND DISCLOSURES

How do we typically use or share your health information?

We typically use or share your health information in the following ways.


  • To Treat you

    • We can use your health information and share it with other professionals who are treating
      you.
    • Example: A doctor treating you for an injury asks another doctor about your overall health
      condition.

  • To operate our organization

    • We can use and share your health information to run our practice, improve your care, and
      contact you when necessary.
    • Example: We use health information about you to manage your treatment and services.

  • To bill and collect for our services

    • Example: We give information about you to our billing provider (currently Stripe.com). Our services
      are not currently payable by insurance.

How else can we use or share your health information?

We are allowed or required to share your information in other ways – usually in ways that contribute to
the public good, such as public health and research. We have to meet many conditions in the law before
we can share your information for these purposes. For more information see:

www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/index.html.


  • Comply with the law

    • We will share information about you if state or federal laws require it, including with the
      Department of Health and Human Services if it wants to see that we’re complying with
      federal privacy law.

  • Address workers’ compensation, law enforcement, and other government requests
    We can use or share health information about you:

    • For workers’ compensation claims
    • For law enforcement purposes or with a law enforcement official
    • With health oversight agencies for activities authorized by law
    • For special government functions such as military, national security, and presidential
      protective services

  • Respond to lawsuits and legal actions
    We can use or share health information about you:

    • We can share health information about you in response to a court or administrative order,
      or in response to a subpoena.

OUR RESPONSIBILITIES

  • We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health
    information.
  • We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or
    security of your medical information.
  • We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and give you a copy of
    it.
  • We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can
    in writing. If you tell us we can, you may change your mind at any time. Let us know in writing if
    you change your mind.

For more information see:

www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/index.html.

CHANGES TO THE TERMS OF THIS NOTICE

WE CAN CHANGE THE TERMS OF THIS NOTICE, AND THE CHANGES WILL APPLY TO ALL INFORMATION WE HAVE ABOUT YOU. THE
NEW
NOTICE WILL BE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, IN OUR OFFICE, AND ON OUR WEB SITE. OUR CHANGE WILL NOT REDUCE YOUR RIGHTS
UNDER
LAW, BUT MAY CLARIFY PROCEDURES, OR REFLECT CHANGES IN APPLICABLE LAW.

Ben Flores
Ben Flores
1700144384
Tanya Colonette
Tanya Colonette
1700095384
Dynamic Balboa
Dynamic Balboa
1699882637
Dr. Mahrukh at Rivas is the best! I've lost 17lbs so far. She's informative and professional. I've been coming for 2 months and my results are amazing.
Kendall
Kendall
1699651957
Thanks to Rivas, I have successfully lost 50 lbs! Maybe I could’ve done this with the other locations, but this particular location has the friendliest staff. They are professional, non-judgmental, and get their patients in and out so quickly! Definitely recommend!
Lorraine Mendez
Lorraine Mendez
1699635125
Janine Sasser
Janine Sasser
1699388371
Rivas is a wonderful place! I enjoy the staff there, all of them are very nice & very helpful. I'm glad I chose to go there for Weight Loss. Sophia is my PA I see, she's great 👍🏼
Luis Herrera
Luis Herrera
1699370282
Since I was referred to Rivas Medical Weight Loss by my Manager who is a patient as well, my life has been changing a lot.All staff is so friendly and make me feel so welcome every time I come here.*Rockville Office:I always feel comfortable with Kristin because she is friendly and professional, she always is direct and sure of herself what she is going to say. Thank you 🙏 for all the advises I get every visit and thank you all the clinic staff.Thank you Rivas Medical Weight Loss- Luis Herrera-
Duane Pickett
Duane Pickett
1699360192
David Mitchell
David Mitchell
1698975121
Competent, connecting, & caring.
Roseann Brooks
Roseann Brooks
1698935263
Super super friendly staff. Doctors car about the patients not the money. 100% a place to go.
Tracey T.
Tracey T.
1698872045
Very professional. Nice having medical staff to guide you through the process
Anna Gruber
Anna Gruber
1698842682
The staff are all very kind and inviting, and willing to support you in any situation.
Lady Prada
Lady Prada
1698323348
4 Month Update:The staff continues to be amazing, knowledgeable and caring. They have been very supportive my entire journey. Highly recommend.Update: The entire staff is amazing. I added a vitamin shot today and boy the energy is amazing!!! Highly recommend! 10 stars!!!I highly recommend Rivas Weight Loss Center in Rockville. The staff is super helpful, knowledgeable and kind. I have never felt judged or uncomfortable there. The staff goes out of their way to make sure everything is great and answer any questions or concerns. I am so thrilled that I have found them and I have referred family and friends to them as well!
kimberly price-evans
kimberly price-evans
1698250864
The staff is always very kind and friendly! I really appreciate their professionalism!The staff is very helpful and always willing to listen and help me!
Deanna Effland
Deanna Effland
1698243955
Shannon Yancey
Shannon Yancey
1698186107
Haley Smoot
Haley Smoot
1698172261
I just completed my initial consultation and really appreciated how non-judgmental and understanding their staff were. They really took the time to listen and help me come up with a lifestyle plan that will work best for me. I look forward to getting started!
Vivian Obuekwe
Vivian Obuekwe
1698162612
Rivas Medical Weight Loss is such an great facility. The staff are excellent, the locations are convenient, the treatment produces first class results, it's been excellent professionalism all round. Would definitely recommend!
Narine Kirakosyan
Narine Kirakosyan
1698152047
Great staff! Awesome results! So glad I found them!
Nathaniel Shabtai
Nathaniel Shabtai
1698093201
Kris,Ty and Vince are the dream team! Always in good spirits, encouraging healthy progress and ensuring you never miss an appointment. Very happy with the results and the staff here.
Jamie Oberman
Jamie Oberman
1697575762