Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes how Dr. Michael Barta, Inc. may use and disclose your protected health information (PHI), your rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and our legal obligations to protect your privacy.

Our Responsibilities Under HIPAA

As a covered entity under HIPAA, Dr. Michael Barta, Inc. is required by law to:

• Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
• Provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices.
• Notify you following a breach of unsecured PHI that may have compromised your privacy or security.
• Abide by the terms of this Privacy Policy.

How We May Use and Disclose Your Information

We may use or disclose your PHI for the following purposes without your written authorization:

Treatment

We may use and share your information with other professionals who are involved in your care to provide and coordinate treatment.

Payment

We may use your PHI to bill and receive payment for services, including contacting your insurance company when applicable.

Health Care Operations

We may use and disclose PHI to manage our business operations, conduct quality assessments, accreditation, audits, and staff training.

As Required by Law

We must disclose your PHI when required by federal, state, or local law.

Public Health Activities

We may disclose PHI to public health authorities to report disease, injury, or vital events, or to control disease.

Health Oversight

We may share your PHI with government agencies for inspections, investigations, and audits as part of oversight activities.

Judicial and Administrative Proceedings

We may disclose PHI in response to a court order or legal process.

Law Enforcement

We may disclose information to law enforcement officials for specific law enforcement purposes, such as locating a suspect or reporting a crime.

Threats to Health or Safety

We may use or disclose your PHI if necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to your health or safety or that of another person.

Coroners, Medical Examiners, and Funeral Directors

We may release PHI to these professionals for identification, determining cause of death, or other duties authorized by law.

Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization

Any use or disclosure of your PHI not described above will only be made with your written authorization. This includes:

• Psychotherapy Notes (if applicable)
• Marketing purposes
• Sale of PHI

You may revoke your authorization at any time, in writing, except to the extent that we have already acted based on it.

Your HIPAA Rights

You have the following rights concerning your PHI:

1.Right to Access

You have the right to request and receive a copy of your health information. Requests must be made in writing. We will provide access within 30 days. A reasonable fee may apply for copies or postage.

2. Right to Amend

If you believe the information we have about you is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment. Requests must be in writing and include a reason. We may deny your request under certain circumstances, but we’ll explain our reasoning.

3. Right to an Accounting of Disclosures

You may request a list of disclosures we have made of your PHI in the past six years, except for disclosures made for treatment, payment, healthcare operations, or those authorized by you.

4. Right to Request Restrictions

You may request limitations on how your PHI is used or shared. We are not required to agree to all requests, but we must comply if the restriction is for a service paid fully out-of-pocket and pertains to disclosures to a health plan.

5. Right to Confidential Communications

You may ask us to contact you using a specific method (e.g., only by mail or only at a specific phone number). We will accommodate reasonable requests.

6. Right to a Paper Copy of This Policy

You may request a paper copy of this policy at any time, even if you received it electronically.

7. Data Security

Dr. Michael Barta, Inc. uses physical, technical, and administrative safeguards to protect your health information in accordance with HIPAA Security Rule standards. We continuously monitor and update our systems to prevent unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or disclosure.

Policy Changes

We reserve the right to change this Privacy Policy at any time. Changes will apply to all PHI we maintain. When updates are made, we will revise the effective date and post the new policy on our website. You may request a copy of the current policy at any time.

Complaints and Contact Information

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint without fear of retaliation.

To file a complaint or ask questions, contact:

Privacy Officer

Dr. Michael Barta, Inc.

80 Garden Center, Suite 170

Broomfield, Colorado  80020

info@drmichaelbarta.com

720-626-7160

You may also contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights.