Notice of Privacy Practices (HIPAA)

1. How We Protect Your Health Information

We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal and state regulations to guard your nonpublic personal information:

• Zero Website Tracking: This website does not use tracking pixels (e.g. Meta Pixel, Google Analytics, or third-party advertising cookies) that could link your IP address with mental health inquiries.
• No Third-Party Font/CDN Telemetry: All styling and fonts run locally from our own origin server to prevent third-party logging of visitor network traffic.
• Business Associate Agreements (BAA): All electronic health record (EHR) management, video telehealth, and digital billing services are conducted through SimplePractice, which maintains a signed HIPAA Business Associate Agreement with our practice.

2. Permitted Uses and Disclosures of Health Information

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), your PHI may be used or disclosed under specific clinical and legal circumstances:

• Treatment: We may use your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your mental health care and any related services.
• Payment: If you request a Superbill to submit for out-of-network insurance reimbursement, we will generate itemized statements containing diagnosis and procedure codes per your instruction.
• Healthcare Operations: We may use information to review treatment procedures and evaluate the quality of care provided.

3. Exceptions to Confidentiality Mandated by Law

As licensed mental health professionals in Texas, we are legally and ethically obligated to breach confidentiality in specific emergency situations:

• Child or Elder Abuse: If there is reasonable suspicion or disclosure of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or neglect of a child, elderly individual, or disabled person.
• Imminent Danger to Self or Others: If a client expresses imminent intent to harm themselves or another identifiable person, we are required by law to take protective action.
• Court Orders: If subpoenaed by a valid judge's court order.

4. Your Individual Rights Under HIPAA

You have the following rights regarding your health records maintained by our practice:

• Right to Inspect and Copy: You have the right to inspect and obtain an electronic or paper copy of your mental health record, subject to narrow exceptions.
• Right to Amend: You have the right to request an amendment if you believe your health records are incomplete or inaccurate.
• Right to Request Restrictions: You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your information.
• Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You have the right to receive a list of instances where we have disclosed your health information outside of treatment, payment, or operations.
• Right to Confidential Communications: You may request that we communicate with you by alternative means (e.g., cell phone only, secure portal only).

5. No Surprises Act (Good Faith Estimate)

Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act and the federal No Surprises Act:

• You have the right to receive a written Good Faith Estimate of expected charges upon scheduling or upon request.
• The estimate includes total expected costs of psychotherapy sessions and any related non-emergency clinical services.
• If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the bill through the federal dispute resolution process.

6. Privacy Complaints & Contact

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 Office for Civil Rights). You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint.

Practice Contact:
Harmony Haus Couples and Family Therapy
Phone: (210) 555-0198
Email: hello@harmonyhaustherapy.com