Notice of Privacy Practices

Your health information and your rights

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.

This notice applies to clinical services provided by Endeavour Psychology Group. For privacy questions or to exercise the rights below, contact Natasha Behnam, Ph.D., at Behnam@endeavourpsychologygroup.com, (310) 666-4126, or 2615 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 204, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.

Your rights

• Access your records. You may ask to inspect or receive an electronic or paper copy of records used to make decisions about your care. We respond within applicable legal time limits. Certain exceptions, including separately maintained psychotherapy notes, may apply. Any permitted copying fee must comply with law. If access is denied, we explain the reason and any available review rights.
• Request a correction. You may ask us to amend information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete. If we decline, we explain why in writing and how you may submit a statement of disagreement.
• Request confidential communication. You may ask to be contacted by a particular method or at a different address. We accommodate reasonable requests.
• Request restrictions. You may ask us to limit uses or disclosures for treatment, payment, or health care operations. We are not required to agree to every request. If you pay in full out of pocket, we must honor your request not to disclose that service to your health plan for payment or operations, unless disclosure is required by law.
• Receive an accounting of disclosures. You may request a list of certain disclosures during the preceding six years. The law excludes some disclosures, including many for treatment, payment, and operations. One accounting in a 12-month period is free; we will tell you in advance about any permitted fee for additional requests.
• Receive this notice. You may obtain a paper copy even if you have agreed to electronic delivery.
• Use a personal representative. An authorized representative may exercise rights on your behalf within the limits of their authority. We verify that authority. Rules for minors, guardians, and access to a minor’s records depend on applicable law and the circumstances of care.
• Make a complaint. You may contact us or file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. We will not retaliate against you.

How information may be used for your care

Subject to applicable confidentiality laws, we use and disclose information for treatment (for example, planning your care or coordinating with an appropriate provider), payment (for example, billing or providing a superbill you request), and health care operations (for example, records administration, professional consultation, and quality review). Service providers handling protected health information must follow applicable privacy requirements.

California law and other applicable laws may protect information more strictly than HIPAA. We follow the more protective requirements where they apply, including requirements for consent to release mental health information. A permitted disclosure under HIPAA does not remove a stricter state-law restriction.

When permission is required

Uses or disclosures not described in this notice require your written authorization unless otherwise permitted or required by law. Most disclosures of separately maintained psychotherapy notes, marketing uses, and sales of protected health information require written authorization. You may revoke an authorization in writing; revocation does not undo action already taken in reliance on it.

We discuss permission before sharing with family members or others involved in your care. Where law permits, limited information may be shared with someone involved in your care if you agree, have an opportunity to object and do not, or cannot express a preference and disclosure is in your best interest. Stricter mental health and minor-consent rules still apply.

Other disclosures permitted or required by law

Under the conditions and limits imposed by law, information may be disclosed for reporting suspected child, elder, or dependent-adult abuse or neglect; responding to a serious threat to health or safety; public health activities; health oversight; legally authorized research; workers’ compensation; specified government functions; or duties involving coroners, medical examiners, funeral directors, or organ donation. Disclosures for law enforcement, court proceedings, or other legal demands occur only when the applicable legal requirements, privileges, and protections are satisfied. Receiving a subpoena does not automatically authorize release of psychotherapy records.

We disclose information when legally required, including to HHS when it investigates compliance with privacy law. We limit disclosures as required by applicable law.

Additional protection for substance use disorder records

If we receive or maintain substance use disorder patient records protected by 42 CFR Part 2, those protections apply in addition to other privacy rules. Such records may not be used or disclosed in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative investigations or proceedings against you without your specific written consent or a qualifying court order and subpoena, as required by law. Consent for treatment, payment, or operations does not itself authorize use in proceedings against you.

Information shared with a recipient may be redisclosed and may no longer be protected by HIPAA, depending on the recipient and applicable law. Part 2 restrictions on use in proceedings against you continue to apply. If Part 2 information is used for fundraising, you must receive a clear advance opportunity to choose whether to receive those communications. You may opt out of fundraising communications.

Our responsibilities and changes to this notice

We are required to protect the privacy of your health information, provide this notice, and follow the privacy practices in effect. We will notify affected individuals of a breach of unsecured protected health information as required by law. Other uses or disclosures require authorization unless law permits or requires them.

We may change this notice consistent with law and make the revised notice apply to information already held as well as information received afterward. The current notice will be available on this website, at the practice, and upon request.

Questions or complaints

Contact the practice using the details above. You may also contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights at 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201, call 1-877-696-6775, or visit HHS’s privacy complaint page.