**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.**
RAIN WALKER HEALING LLC
5185 MacArthur Boulevard, 210
Washington, DC 20016
Phone: (202) 306-5926 | Email: recharge@rainwalkerhealing.com | RainWalkerHealing.com
We are required by federal law, including the **Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)** and its Privacy Rule, to maintain the privacy of your protected health information (PHI), to provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, and to notify you following a breach of unsecured PHI.
**PHI** means individually identifiable health information we create, receive, maintain, or transmit in any form (electronic, paper, or oral), including your medical history, diagnoses, treatment plans, test results, billing information, and payment details.
1. How We May Use and Disclose Your Protected Health Information (PHI)
We may use or disclose your PHI for the following purposes without your written authorization:
- **For Treatment**: To provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare (e.g., sharing PHI with other providers involved in your care).
- **For Payment**: To bill and collect payment for services (e.g., submitting claims to insurance, verifying coverage).
- **For Health Care Operations**: For quality improvement, compliance, audits, business management, training, and other administrative activities.
- **Appointment Reminders, Treatment Alternatives, Health-Related Benefits/Services**: To contact you about appointments, refills, or health products/services.
- **As Required by Law**: When mandated by federal, state (including District of Columbia), or local law.
- **Public Health Activities**: To prevent or control disease, injury, or disability (e.g., reporting to public health authorities).
- **Health Oversight Activities**: To audits, investigations, inspections, or licensing by government agencies.
- **Abuse/Neglect Reporting**: To report suspected child/elder abuse or neglect as required.
- **Judicial/Administrative Proceedings**: In response to court orders, subpoenas, or other legal processes.
- **Law Enforcement Purposes**: Under limited circumstances (e.g., to identify a suspect or fugitive).
- **Coroners/Medical Examiners/Funeral Directors**: For identification, cause of death, or funeral arrangements.
- **Research**: Under strict protections, often with your authorization or IRB waiver.
- **To Avert Serious Threat to Health/Safety**: If necessary to prevent serious harm.
- **Specialized Government Functions**: For military, veterans, national security, or correctional institutions.
- **Workers' Compensation**: As authorized by workers' comp laws.
- **For Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Records** (if we create, receive, maintain, or disclose records from programs governed by 42 CFR Part 2): We follow heightened federal protections. Disclosures generally require your written consent, with limited exceptions (e.g., medical emergencies, court orders with notice). We describe these protections in detail if you receive SUD services.
- We may use or disclose your PHI for other purposes **only with your written authorization**. You may revoke authorization in writing at any time (except for actions already taken in reliance).
2. Your Rights Regarding Your Protected Health Information
You have the following rights under **HIPAA** (we will act on requests within required timeframes, usually 30 days):
- **Right to Inspect and Obtain Copies**: Access your PHI in our designated record set (with limited exceptions, e.g., psychotherapy notes).
- **Right to Amend**: Request corrections if inaccurate or incomplete.
- **Right to Accounting of Disclosures**: List certain disclosures we made (for 6 years prior).
- **Right to Request Restrictions**: Ask us to limit uses/disclosures (we are not required to agree except for certain payment-related restrictions).
- **Right to Confidential Communications**: Receive PHI by alternative means/location (e.g., email instead of mail).
- **Right to Receive a Paper Copy**: Of this Notice at any time.
- **Right to File a Complaint**: If you believe your privacy rights were violated.
To exercise rights, contact our Privacy Officer in writing.
3. Our Duties
- We are required by **HIPAA** to:
- Maintain the privacy of your PHI.
- Provide this Notice.
- Abide by its terms (we may change terms; revised Notice will be posted and available).
- Notify you following a breach of unsecured PHI.
4. Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, contact Privacy Officer,
Nicole Zalesak
RAIN WALKER HEALING LLC
5185 MacArthur Boulevard 210
Washington DC 20016
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (OCR):
https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint/index.html
We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
5. Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to change privacy practices and this Notice. Revised versions will be effective for all PHI we maintain and posted here/in our office.
For questions, contact our Privacy Officer.
This Notice complies with federal **HIPAA** requirements and District of Columbia practices. Thank you for trusting us with your care.