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.
Our commitment to your privacy
Ian Purcell MD PhD Otoneurology Practice (“the practice,” “we,” “us”) is required by law to protect the privacy of your health information, to give you this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, to notify you if a breach affects your unsecured health information, and to follow the terms of the notice currently in effect.
“Health information” means information that identifies you and relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health, the care you receive, or payment for that care. This notice applies to the records of your care created or received by the practice, including our physicians, physician assistants, and staff.
How we use and share your information
We use and share your health information in the following ways without asking for your written permission.
To treat you
We use your information to provide and coordinate your care, and we share it with other professionals who are treating you. For example, we may send test results to your primary care physician, or discuss your care with a physical therapist providing your vestibular rehabilitation.
To bill for your care
We use and share your information to bill and get payment from health plans or others. For example, we give information about your visit and testing to your health insurance plan so it will pay for your care, or to obtain prior authorization.
To run the practice
We use and share your information to run the practice, improve your care, and contact you when necessary. For example, we may review records to evaluate the quality of care, train staff, or work with accountants, attorneys, and other business associates who are required to protect your information.
Appointment reminders and health-related services
We may contact you to remind you of appointments, share test instructions, or tell you about treatment options and health-related services that may interest you.
Other uses and disclosures allowed by law
We are allowed or required to share your information in other ways, usually in ways that contribute to the public good. We have to meet many conditions in the law before we can share it for these purposes:
- As required by law: when federal, state, or local law requires it.
- Public health and safety: preventing or controlling disease, reporting adverse reactions to medications or problems with medical devices, and reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
- Serious threats: to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to anyone’s health or safety.
- Health oversight: to agencies for audits, investigations, inspections, and licensing.
- Lawsuits and legal actions: in response to a court or administrative order, or in response to a subpoena when the law allows.
- Law enforcement: for law enforcement purposes, such as identifying a suspect or missing person, or reporting a crime on our premises, as the law allows.
- Coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors: when an individual dies.
- Organ and tissue donation: with organ procurement organizations.
- Research: for research that has been approved through a process that protects your privacy.
- Workers’ compensation: for workers’ compensation claims, as the law allows.
- Special government functions: such as military, national security, and presidential protective services.
Some health information has extra protection under federal or California law, such as certain mental health, HIV test, genetic, and substance use disorder treatment records. When those laws are stricter than this notice, we follow them. If we receive records of substance use disorder treatment protected by federal law (42 CFR Part 2), we will not use or share them in a civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceeding against you without your written consent or a court order.
Your choices
For certain information, you can tell us your choices about what we share. If you have a clear preference for how we share your information in the situations below, tell us and we will follow your instructions.
- Sharing information with your family, close friends, or others involved in your care or in paying for it.
- Sharing information in a disaster relief situation.
If you are not able to tell us your preference, for example if you are unconscious, we may share your information if we believe it is in your best interest, or when needed to lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.
When we need your written permission
We will never share your information for marketing purposes, sell your information, or share psychotherapy notes unless you give us written permission. Any use or disclosure not described in this notice will be made only with your written authorization. You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent we have already acted on it.
Your rights
When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. To use any of them, contact us using the information at the end of this notice.
Get a copy of your medical record
You can ask to see or get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other health information we have about you. We will provide a copy or a summary, usually within 30 days of your request. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
Ask us to correct your record
You can ask us to correct health information that you think is incorrect or incomplete. We may say “no” to your request, but we will tell you why in writing within 60 days.
Request confidential communications
You can ask us to contact you in a specific way, for example by home or office phone, or to send mail to a different address. We will say “yes” to all reasonable requests.
Ask us to limit what we use or share
You can ask us not to use or share certain health information for treatment, payment, or our operations. We are not required to agree, and we may say “no” if it would affect your care. If you pay for a service or health care item out of pocket in full, you can ask us not to share that information with your health insurer for payment or operations. We will say “yes” unless a law requires us to share it.
Get a list of those we have shared information with
You can ask for a list (an accounting) of the times we have shared your health information for six years prior to the date you ask, who we shared it with, and why. It will include all disclosures except those about treatment, payment, and health care operations, and certain others such as disclosures you asked us to make. We will provide one accounting a year for free but may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee if you ask for another within 12 months.
Get a copy of this notice
You can ask for a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically. We will provide it promptly.
Choose someone to act for you
If you have given someone medical power of attorney, or if someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information. We will confirm the person has this authority before we take any action.
Be notified of a breach
We will notify you if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
Complaints
If you feel we have violated your rights, you can file a complaint with us using the contact information below.
You can also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, by writing to 200 Independence Avenue S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201, calling 1-877-696-6775, or using the OCR complaint portal.
We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Changes to this notice
We can change the terms of this notice, and the changes will apply to all information we have about you. The new notice will be available on request, in our office, and on this website.
How the website handles information
This section covers dizzydoctor.com itself. The website is for information only: it has no patient portal, forms, or accounts, and it does not collect health information.
- No tracking or advertising: the site does not use analytics, advertising cookies, or tracking pixels, and we do not sell or share visitor information.
- Hosting: the site is hosted on Amazon Web Services, whose servers keep standard technical logs (such as IP address, browser type, and pages requested) for security and reliability.
- Fonts: pages load typefaces from Google Fonts, so your browser connects to Google to download them.
- Accessibility tool: some pages load the UserWay accessibility widget, which may remember the display settings you choose in your browser.
- Links to other sites: links to other websites, such as maps or health resources, are governed by those sites’ own privacy policies.
Please do not email or message personal health information through public channels. Call the office to discuss your care.
Contact us
Privacy Officer
Ian Purcell MD PhD Otoneurology Practice
7625 Mesa College Drive, Suite 200A, San Diego, CA 92111
Phone: (858) 223-2172
Fax: (858) 533-8397