HIPAA & Patient Privacy

Protecting Your Medical Information

At Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C., protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our patients’ medical information is an important responsibility.

Under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, Atlanta Plastic Surgery is required to maintain the privacy of patient medical information, provide notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, and inform patients of their rights regarding their medical records. 

Our Notice of Privacy Practices and other important patient documents are available on our Patient Forms page.

View Patient Forms

Privacy Practices

Atlanta Plastic Surgery maintains medical records to support quality patient care and comply with applicable legal requirements.

We will not use or disclose private medical information for purposes not described in our Notice of Privacy Practices without specific written authorization from the patient or legal guardian, except as otherwise permitted or required by law. 

Our Notice of Privacy Practices explains the circumstances in which medical information may be used or disclosed, including the following:

Treatment

We may disclose medical information to doctors, nurses, technicians, medical students, or others involved in your care. We may also share information with other healthcare providers to assist in the treatment of a mutual patient. 

Payment

Medical information may be disclosed when requested by insurance companies for payment of claims. Limited information may also be disclosed to a collection agency for purposes of receiving payment from a patient. Workers’ compensation claims may require the release of protected health information in accordance with applicable state laws. 

Health Care Operations

Medical information may be used or disclosed for healthcare operations, including quality improvement, employee evaluation, training, accreditation, licensing, and credentialing necessary for day-to-day operations. 

Notification

Medical information may be released to notify or assist in notifying a family member, personal representative, or person responsible for your care about your location, general condition, or death.

When you are present, permission will be obtained or documented. In an emergency when you are unable to provide permission, only information necessary for treatment will be disclosed according to our professional judgment. 

Fundraising

We limit the use of medical information for affiliated fundraising foundations to general, rather than personal, terms. Fundraising materials provide information about how patients may choose not to receive future fundraising communications. 

Research

Medical information may be used for research purposes in limited circumstances where approved by a review board that has reviewed the research proposal and established protocols to protect the privacy of the information. 

Funeral Directors, Coroners & Medical Examiners

Information may be released to assist funeral directors, coroners, or medical examiners in performing their duties for a patient who has died. 

Court Orders, Judicial & Administrative Proceedings

Under limited circumstances, such as a court order, warrant, or grand jury subpoena, medical information may be disclosed.

Limited information may also be shared with law enforcement in circumstances permitted or required by law. 

Public Health Activities

As required by law, medical information may be disclosed for certain public health purposes, including preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability and reporting child abuse or neglect.

Information may also be disclosed for certain product safety matters or to notify individuals who may have been exposed to a communicable disease when authorized by law. 

Victims of Abuse, Neglect or Domestic Violence

We may disclose medical information to appropriate authorities if we reasonably believe that a person may be a victim of abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or other crimes. Information may also be shared when necessary to prevent a serious threat to the health or safety of the patient or others. 

Health Oversight Activities

Medical information may be disclosed to an agency conducting health oversight activities authorized by law, including investigations, proceedings, inspections, licensure, or disciplinary actions. 

Medical Records & Authorizations

Patients may authorize Atlanta Plastic Surgery to release their medical records to another person, healthcare provider, or organization.

Our Medical Records Release Form allows patients to identify the recipient of their information and specify the records they authorize for release. Written authorization may be revoked, subject to the terms described in the authorization form. 

The Medical Records Release Form, Notice of Privacy Practices, and other important patient documents are available on our Patient Forms page.

View Patient Forms

Notice of Privacy Practices

Atlanta Plastic Surgery’s complete Notice of Privacy Practices provides additional information about how medical information may be used and disclosed, our responsibilities for protecting that information, and your rights regarding your medical records.

Patients are provided an opportunity to review the Notice of Privacy Practices and acknowledge receipt of the notice. 

View Patient Forms

Questions or Privacy Concerns?

If you have questions or concerns regarding the privacy of your medical information, please contact:

Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C.
Attn: HIPAA Compliance Officer
975 Johnson Ferry Road NE, Suite 100
Atlanta, Georgia 30342