Commonwealth
Medical Laboratories, Inc.
Notice of Privacy Policies
This notice outlines the program developed by
Commonwealth Medical Laboratories (CML) to meet the regulations
contained within the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act of 1996 (HIPAA). This notice of privacy, required by law,
will describe CML’s commitment to protecting the confidentiality
of individuals’ test results and other patient protected
health information (PHI) that are collected and exchanged as part
of our testing services.
How We May Use and Disclose your Protected
Health Information (PHI)
We encourage you to read our Notice of Privacy
Policies so that you will understand our commitment to protect
your PHI and how we may work with you to comply with your right
to receive information under HIPAA. Listed below are ways that
CML may use and disclose your PHI. Please contact our Privacy
Officer if you have any questions or need additional information
concerning your state.
For Treatment - CML may use
or disclose PHI for treatment purposes, including physicians,
nurses or other healthcare professionals who need access to your
results in order to treat you.
For Payment - CML will use
your PHI to bill or collect payment for laboratory services from
third parties, insurance companies, physicians, hospitals, etc.
to receive payment for services rendered to you. In some cases
we may need to contact you for additional information in order
to complete this billing transaction.
For Healthcare Operations -
CML may use or disclose PHI to our business associates in order
to support our laboratory operation. For example, to evaluate
the quality of our laboratory testing, accreditation functions
or developing reference ranges.
As Required by Law - If requested
by international, federal or state agencies, CML must provide
copies of your PHI, unless restricted by state law.
Public Health - CML may disclose
your PHI when reporting communicable disease results to public
health departments. Disclosures may also be made to the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) for purposes of quality or safety of
an FDA-regulated product.
Personal Representative - CML
may disclose PHI to your personal representative, as established
under law, or to an administrator, executor or other authorized
individual associated with your estate. Disclosure of the PHI
of minors to their parents or legal guardians will be released
as allowed by federal and state law.
Health Oversight - CML may disclose PHI to a
government healthcare agency that oversees the licensure, auditing,
inspection or other activities necessary for appropriate oversight
of CML’s laboratory operation. Other agencies may audit
our billing records to verify that healthcare claims were filed
and paid correctly.
Law Enforcement - Under certain
circumstances, CML may disclose PHI for law enforcement purposes.
As an example, provide PHI required with a court order, judicial
subpoena, court-ordered warrant or similar legal process.
Workers Compensation - CML
may disclose our PHI as necessary to comply with requirements
of workers’ compensation or similar programs that provide
benefits for work-related injuries or illness without regard to
fault.
Regarding State Law - For all
of the above purposes, in cases where state law is more restrictive
than federal law, CML is required to follow the more restrictive
state law. Some states may require physician authorization to
release laboratory test results to patients, and other states
prohibit a laboratory from releasing test results directly to
a patient.
Research - CML may use and
disclose PHI for research purposes. Researchers may be permitted
to look at records to identify patients who may have been included
in their research project, however, researchers are not permitted
to copy or remove PHI from the premises. Prior to disclosing any
PHI for research purposes, CML will insure that there is an adequate
plan to safeguard PHI and that researchers will only be provided
with information that does not directly identify you.
Patient Rights Regarding PHI
Access to your PHI - You or
your authorized personal representative have the right to inspect
and copy your PHI unless prohibited by state law. Many state laws
that regulate laboratories prohibit a lab from providing test
results directly to a patient.
Corrections or Update to your PHI
- If you believe that your PHI contains a mistake, you may request,
in writing, that CML correct the information. However, CML is
not required to make the requested amendments. We will provide
an explanation for our denial.
Receive a List of Disclosures Made to
your PHI - You have the right to request a list of disclosures
of your PHI for up to six years prior to the date of your written
request, however, not before April 14, 2003 (the effective date
of the Privacy Rule).Under the law, this does not include disclosures
made for treatment, payment, healthcare operations, or disclosures
made based on your authorization. Disclosures in response to a
court order or public health report may be reported to you.
Right to Confidential Communications
- You have the right to request that CML communicate with you
about your PHI by alternative means. We will accommodate reasonable
requests but we are not required to agree to your request.
Privacy Notice - You have the right to request
a paper copy of this Notice. Copies may be printed from the website,
www.allergytest.com, calling us at 1-800-222-5775 or sending a
written request to: Privacy Officer, Commonwealth Medical Laboratories,
Inc., 4228 Aiken Drive, Warrenton, VA 20187.
Exercising Your Rights
If you believe your privacy rights have been
violated, contact CML with sufficient information to substantiate
your claim and forward this information to CML at the following
address: Privacy Officer, Commonwealth Medical Laboratories, Inc.,
4228 Aiken Drive, Warrenton, VA 20187. You may also file a complaint
with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services. CML will not take retaliatory action against you for
filing a complaint about our privacy practices.
Changes to CML’s Privacy Notice
CML reserves the right to change this
Notice of Privacy Policies at any time. Changes will be posted
on this website promptly. Review this website periodically to
be aware of such updates.
