Privacy

The HIPAA Privacy Rule establishes national standards to protect individuals’ medical records and other individually identifiable health information (collectively defined as “protected health information”) and applies to health plans, health care clearinghouses, and those health care providers that conduct certain health care transactions electronically. 

The Rule requires appropriate safeguards to protect the privacy of protected health information and sets limits and conditions on the uses and disclosures that may be made of such information without an individual’s authorization.

The Rule also gives individuals rights over their protected health information, including rights to examine and obtain a copy of their health records, to direct a covered entity to transmit to a third party an electronic copy of their protected health information in an electronic health record, and to request corrections.

The Law protects the relationship between a client and a psychotherapist, and information cannot be disclosed with proper written permission.

• There are certain exceptions which include the following: If there is suspected child abuse, elder abuse, or abuse of a dependent person. By law, Booker Counseling Services, PLLC is required to report this immediately to the appropriate authorities.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm/injury to another person(s), immediate action must be taken and the proper authorities must be contacted including the police and the intended victim(s) in order to keep everyone safe.
• If a client reports or make threats with intention to harm himself or herself, Booker Counseling Services, PLLC will make every effort to enlist their cooperation to ensure their safety. If cooperation is not provided, Booker Counseling Services, PLLC will take further measures without permission, that are provided by law for the provider, in order to ensure the safety of the client.

Under the new law, the “No Surprise Act 2022” healthcare providers need to give clients who do not have insurance, or who are not using insurance an estimate of the costs for medical items and counseling services at Booker Counseling Services, PLLC.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the excepted cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like counseling services or testing.

We will make sure that you receive a Good Faith Estimate in writing or electronically before your medical service or item. Make sure that you make a copy or take a picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

There may be additional items or services the convening provider or convening facility recommends as part of the course of care that must be scheduled or requested separately and are not reflected in the Good Faith Estimate. The information provided in the Good Faith Estimate is only an estimate and that actual items, services or charges may differ from the Good Faith Estimate.

If you receive a bill that is at least $400 or more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. The initiation of a patient-provider dispute resolution process will not adversely affect the quality of your care.

The Good Faith Estimate is not a contract and does not require the uninsured (or self-pay) client to obtain the items or services from any of the providers or facilities identifies in the good faith estimate.

For questions and more information in regards to your rights, visit: Good Faith Estimate