Notice of Privacy Practices Language
Your Rights Regarding Electronic Health Information Technology
Urology Associates participates in electronic health information technology or HIT. This technology allows a provider or a health plan to make a single request through a Health Information Organization (HIO) to obtain electronic records for a specific patient from other HIT participants for purposes of treatment, payment, or health care operations. This improves the speed, quality, safety and cost of patient care. HIOs are required to use appropriate safeguards to prevent unauthorized uses and disclosures.
Despite the widespread availability of secure electronic data transfer, most Americans’ medical information is stored on paper—in filing cabinets at various medical offices, or in boxes and folders in patients’ homes. When that medical information is shared between providers, it happens by mail, fax or — most likely — by patients themselves, who frequently carry their records from appointment to appointment. While electronic health information exchange cannot replace provider-patient communication, it can greatly improve the completeness of patient’s records, (which can have a big effect on care), as past history, current medications and other information is jointly reviewed during visits.
Appropriate, timely sharing of vital patient information can better inform decision making at the point of care and allow providers to
- Avoid readmissions
- Avoid medication errors
- Improve diagnoses
- Decrease duplicate testing
You have two options with respect to HIT. First, you may permit authorized individuals to access your electronic health information through an HIO. If you choose this option, you do not have to do anything.
Second, you may restrict access to all your information through an HIO (except as required by law). If you wish to restrict access your provider on your behalf must submit the required information by the following methods:
- Email Opt-Out Form To – support@tiger-institute.org (Must be in secure encrypted mode)
- Fax Opt-Out Form To – 816-936-7236
- Secure Direct Messaging (Provider MUST Have Direct Message Account) To – support@tigerinstitute.cernerdirect.com
You cannot restrict access to certain information, your choice is to permit or restrict access to all your available healthcare information. If you would like to Opt Out of the Lacie HIT, please contact our office via the portal or via email at urology.info@usoncology.com.