NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
(HIPAA)
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
Consumer’s Copy
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.
You are receiving this Notice from NAK UNION, INC. and certain affiliated health professionals and providers (collectively “Nak Union” providers). A federal regulation, known as the “HIPAA Privacy rule”, requires that certain health care providers deliver detailed notice in writing of their privacy practices. The “We” and “Our” refer to Nak Union Providers collectively, and the term “you” refer to you as a specific Nak Union, Inc. Client.
The services NAK UNION, INC. provides include certain aspects of basic health care, mental health counseling services, therapeutic residential care and treatment for chemical dependency care services. Nak Union, Inc. submits claims for these services electronically, making it a health plan covered by the HIPAA Privacy Rule. In addition to the licensed health professionals whom it employs, NAK UNION, INC. contracts with psychiatrists and social workers whom provide individual and group services at their private offices. NAK UNION, INC. also maintains affiliations with pharmacies to provide access to prescription drug and supplies. These relationships are integral part of the services NAK UNION, INC. provides and are considered an Organized Health Care Arrangement as defined by the HIPAA Privacy Rule.
I. CONFIDENTIALITY OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PATIENT RECORDS
Federal law and regulations protect the confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse patient records maintained by this program. Generally, the program may not say to a person outside the program that a patient attends the program, or disclose any information identifying a patient as an alcohol or drug abuser, unless:
- The patient consents in writing
- The disclosure is allowed by a court order or
- The disclosure is made to medical personnel in a medical emergency, or to qualified personnel for research, audit, or program evaluation.
Violation of the Federal Law and regulations by a program is a crime. Suspected violations may be reported to appropriate authorities in accordance with Federal regulations.
Federal law and regulations do not protect any information about a crime committed by a patient, either at the program or against any person who works for the program. Threats to commit a crime also are not protected.
II. OUR COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU
The HIPAA Privacy Rule requires that we protect the privacy of health information that identifies a participant, or where there is a reasonable basis to believe the information can be used to identify a participant. The information is called “protected health information” or “PHI”. This Notice describes your rights as a health plan participant and our obligations regarding the use and disclosure of PHI. We are required by law to:
- Maintain the privacy of PHI about you;
- Give you this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to PHI;
- Comply with the terms of our Notice of Privacy Practices that is currently in effect.
POLICY: The filing is the protocol to ensure adherence to the standards set forth in the Notice of Privacy practices. This notice relates only to health information. Nak Union, Inc. in complies with applicable federal and state laws including HIPPA Privacy rules to secure confidential information.
PURPOSE: According to Federal laws and current consumer covenants, Nak Union, Inc. will collect, use and disclose protected health information only in conformance with Georgia, and/or authorizations, as appropriate.
PROCEDURE
- Notice of Privacy Practices will be posted in each facility. (The consumer will be given an opportunity to receive a written copy.) In keeping with the Notice of Privacy, Nak Union, Inc. will:
- Not use or disclose protected health information for uses outside of the practices treatment, payment or operations without a written authorization from the consumer (or his or her authorized representative).
- Implement reasonable measures to protect the integrity of all protected health information maintained about consumers including, but not limited to:
- Education of staff
- Disciplinary action for violations
- Confidentiality agreements
- Procedures for complaints and appeals
Treat all protected health information data as confidential in accordance with professional ethics, accreditation standards, and legal requirements.
Each consumer will acknowledge his or her right to review or receive a copy of the Notice of Privacy Practices.
Each consumer has the right to request limitations and/ or restrictions of disclosures.(These requests must be in writing)
A signed Release of Information for will be obtained when protected health information is disclosed to third parties. Certain non-treatment, payment, and operational disclosures do not require and authorization, however; a log will be maintained of these disclosures.
Each consumer has the right to request an inspection of his/her protected health information. Nak Union, Inc. will act on this request within thirty (30) days.) The consumer may request correction/amendments of his/her protected information.
- Request must be made in writing
- Nak Union, Inc. may or may not be required to honor these requests.
COMPLAINTS
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint on us. You may file a complaint directly with the Secretary of the United Stated Department of Health and Human Services. We will not retaliate or take action against you for filing a complaint.
Note: Our practice may change this notice in the future. Any changes will be effective upon the release of a revised policy and will be made available to consumers upon request. All previous copies of this policy and the Notice of Privacy Practices will be retained for six (6) years,
The HIPPA Policy is provided to each consumer upon the intake process.
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
(HIPAA)
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
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.
You are receiving this Notice from NAK UNION, INC. and certain affiliated health professionals and providers (collectively “Nak Union” providers). A federal regulation, known as the “HIPAA Privacy rule”, requires that certain health care providers deliver detailed notice in writing of their privacy practices. The “We” and “Our” refer to Nak Union Providers collectively, and the term “you” refer to you as a specific Nak Union, Inc. Client.
The services NAK UNION, INC. provides include certain aspects of basic health care, mental health counseling services, therapeutic residential care and treatment for chemical dependency care services. Nak Union, Inc. submits claims for these services electronically, making it a health plan covered by the HIPAA Privacy Rule. In addition to the licensed health professionals whom it employs, NAK UNION, INC. contracts with psychiatrists and social workers whom provide individual and group services at their private offices. NAK UNION, INC. also maintains affiliations with pharmacies to provide access to prescription drug and supplies. These relationships are integral part of the services NAK UNION, INC. provides and are considered an Organized Health Care Arrangement as defined by the HIPAA Privacy Rule.
CONFIDENTIALITY OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PATIENT RECORDS
Federal law and regulations protect the confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse patient records maintained by this program. Generally, the program may not say to a person outside the program that a patient attends the program, or disclose any information identifying a patient as an alcohol or drug abuser, unless:
- The patient consents in writing
- The disclosure is allowed by a court order or
- The disclosure is made to medical personnel in a medical emergency, or to qualified personnel for research, audit, or program evaluation.
Violation of the Federal Law and regulations by a program is a crime. Suspected violations may be reported to appropriate authorities in accordance with Federal regulations.
Federal law and regulations do not protect any information about a crime committed by a patient, either at the program or against any person who works for the program. Threats to commit a crime also are not protected.
OUR COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU
The HIPAA Privacy Rule requires that we protect the privacy of health information that identifies a participant, or where there is a reasonable basis to believe the information can be used to identify a participant. The information is called “protected health information” or “PHI”. This Notice describes your rights as a health plan participant and our obligations regarding the use and disclosure of PHI. We are required by law to:
- Maintain the privacy of PHI about you;
- Give you this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to PHI;
- Comply with the terms of our Notice of Privacy Practices that is currently in effect.
POLICY:The filing is the protocol to ensure adherence to the standards set forth in the Notice of Privacy practices. This notice relates only to health information. Nak Union, Inc. complies with applicable federal and state laws including HIPPA Privacy rules to secure confidential information.
PURPOSE:To ensure that Nak Union, Inc. will collect, use and disclose protected health information only in conformance with Georgia, federal laws, and current consumer covenants and/or authorizations, as appropriate.
PROCEDURE:
- Notice of Privacy Practices will be posted in each facility. (The consumer will be given an opportunity to receive a written copy.) In keeping with the Notice of Privacy, Nak Union, Inc. will:
- Not use or disclose protected health information for uses outside of the practices treatment, payment or operations without a written authorization from the consumer (or his or her authorized representative).
- Implement reasonable measures to protect the integrity of all protected health information maintained about consumers including, but not limited to:
- Education of staff
- Disciplinary action for violations
- Confidentiality agreements
- Procedures for complaints and appeals
Treat all protected health information data as confidential in accordance with professional ethics, accreditation standards, and legal requirements.
Each consumer will acknowledge his or her right to review or receive a copy of the Notice of Privacy Practices.
Each consumer has the right to request limitations and/ or restrictions of disclosures.(These requests must be in writing)
A signed Release of Information for will be obtained when protected health information is disclosed to third parties. Certain non-treatment, payment, and operational disclosures do not require and authorization, however; a log will be maintained of these disclosures.
Each consumer has the right to request an inspection of his/her protected health information. Nak Union, Inc. will act on this request within thirty (30) days.) The consumer may request correction/amendments of his/her protected information.
- Request must be made in writing
- Nak Union, Inc. may or may not be required to honor these requests.
COMPLAINTS
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint on us. You may file a complaint directly with the Secretary of the United Stated Department of Health and Human Services. We will not retaliate or take action against you for filing a complaint.
Note: Our practice may change this notice in the future. Any changes will be effective upon the release of a revised policy and will be made available to consumers upon request. All previous copies of this policy and the Notice of Privacy Practices will be retained for six (6) years,
The HIPPA Policy is provided to each consumer upon the intake process.
Notice of Privacy Practices
(HIPAA)
Receipt and Acknowledgment of Notice
I hereby acknowledge that I have received and have been given an opportunity to read a copy of Nak Union, Inc. Notice of Privacy Practices. I understand that if I have any questions regarding the Notice of Privacy Practices; I can contact Nak Union, Inc. at 678-466-6458.
Consumer Grievances Complaint Process
Consumer’s Copy
POLICY:It is the policy of Nak Union, Inc. to provide an immediate and fair method of resolving consumer grievance complaints. Nak Union, Inc. will not tolerate nay retaliation or barriers to services as a result of a consumer’s filing a complaint/grievance. The grievance policy for consumers is designed to facilitate effective service delivery.
PURPOSE:It is the policy of Nak Union, Inc. that all services provided to consumers will be carried out in an environment that is supportive, confidential, and respect for of the individual. Nak Union, Inc. will be accessible and will maximize the individual’s ability to make informed choices in relation to their lives.
PROCEDURES
Step 1
If any person believes that a member of Nak Union, Inc.’s staff as violating any one or more of the Consumer Rights misinterpreted or misapply the terms of the service agreement, he/she may bring forward the grievance to the Quality Assurance Officer.
Terms and Conditions:
Terms: The terms contained herein shall be defined as follows:
Grievance: A complaint by one or more consumers of an alleged violation, this interpretation or misapplication of the terms of the service agreement with Nak Union’s Program, and its consumers.
Representative: Person(s) of the consumer’s choice to represent them.
Quality Assurance Officer: The Team Leader of Nak Union, Inc.
Grievant: An employee or consumer of Nak Union, Inc.
Conditions:
If a grievance not filed within twenty (20) working days of the date the Grievant knew or should have known of the occurrence-giving rise to the grievance, it shall no longer exist.
Nothing contained herein shall interfere with the rights to meet voluntary with the Quality Assurance Officer.
The Nak Union, Inc. Quality Assurance Officer shall be available to assist the complainant in the filing of the grievance.
- The parties may, upon mutual agreement in writing, extend time limits of the grievance procedure.
- Nak Union, Inc. staff member who is being grieved against shall not be involved in assisting the complainant to complete the grievance, shall not be involved in the investigation of the process, and shall not be involved in the resolution of the grievance.
- In the event that a grievance directed at the Nak Union, Inc. Quality Assurance Officer, the Chief Executive Officer shall assume the responsibility to investigate the allegation.
Step 2
Information Level
The person who believes he/she has valid basis for consumer inquiry or grievance may discuss the matter informally and on a verbal basis with Nak Union, Inc. Quality Assurance Officer, who shall in turn, investigate the complaint and rely with an answer to the complainant within seven (7) working days.
Step 3
Formal Level
If a consumer is not satisfied with the discussion and /or resolution at the formal level, the consumer may request in writing, a review of the complaint/grievance with Nak Union’s Chief Executive Officer. This must be filed within fifteen (15) working days after receiving the disposition notice.
The consumer may discuss the complaint directly with the CEO/ or designee. This review will be completed within ten (10) working days from the date of the request. The consumer will be informed of the outcome.
Step 4
Appeal Level
If the consumer is not satisfied with the resolution at the previous level, he/she may appeal the decision to the State of Georgia Department of Human Resources in accordance with their policy and procedures.
Note: Time limits designated in this process may be extended by the decision maker at each step for good cause only.
The consumer has the right to file a complaint with:
Department of Human Resources
Division of MH/DD/AD
Personal Advocacy Unit
Peachtree Street, N.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3171
Nak Union, Inc.
Nak Union Behavioral Health
5530 Old National Hwy Bldg. C, Suite B
College Park, GA 30349
Consumer Grievances Complaint Process
POLICY: It is the policy of Nak Union, Inc. to provide an immediate and fair method of resolving consumer grievance complaints. Nak Union, Inc. will not tolerate nay retaliation or barriers to services as a result of a consumer’s filing a complaint/grievance. The grievance policy for consumers is designed to facilitate effective service delivery.
PURPOSE: It is the policy of Nak Union, Inc. that all services provided to consumers will be carried out in an environment that is supportive, confidential, and respect for of the individual. Nak Union, Inc. will be accessible and will maximize the individual’s ability to make informed choices in relation to their lives.
PROCEDURES:Step 1
If any person believes that a member of Nak Union, Inc.’s staff as violating any one or more of the Consumer Rights misinterpreted or misapply the terms of the service agreement, he/she may bring forward the grievance to the Quality Assurance Officer.
Terms and Conditions:
Terms: The terms contained herein shall be defined as follows:
Grievance: A complaint by one or more consumers of an alleged violation, this interpretation or misapplication of the terms of the service agreement between Nak Unions’ Program and its consumers.
Representative: Someone of the consumer’s choice to represent them.
Quality Assurance Officer: The Team Leader of Nak Union, Inc.
Grievant: An employee or consumer of Nak Union, Inc.
Conditions:
If a grievance not filed within twenty (20) working days of the date the Grievant knew or should have known of the occurrence-giving rise to the grievance, it shall no longer exist.
Nothing contained herein shall interfere with the rights to meet voluntary with the Quality Assurance Officer.
The Nak Union, Inc. Quality Assurance Officer shall be available to assist the complainant in the filing of the grievance.
- The parties may, upon mutual agreement in writing, extend time limits of the grievance procedure.
- Nak Union, Inc. staff member who is being grieved against shall not be involved in assisting the complainant to complete the grievance, shall not be involved in the investigation of the process, and shall not be involved in the resolution of the grievance.
- In the event that a grievance directed at the Nak Union, Inc. Quality Assurance Officer, the Chief Executive Officer shall assume the responsibility to investigate the allegation.
Step 2
Information Level
The person who believes he/she has valid basis for consumer inquiry or grievance may discuss the matter informally and on a verbal basis with Nak Union, Inc. Quality Assurance Officer, who shall in turn, investigate the complaint and rely with an answer to the complainant within seven (7) working days.
Step 3
Formal Level
If a consumer is not satisfied with the discussion and /or resolution at the formal level, the consumer may request in writing, a review of the complaint/grievance with Nak Union’s Chief Executive Officer. This must be filed within fifteen (15) working days after receiving the disposition notice.
The consumer may discuss the complaint directly with the CEO/ or designee. This review will be completed within ten (10) working days from the date of the request. The consumer will be informed of the outcome.
Step 4
Appeal Level
If the consumer is not satisfied with the resolution at the previous level, he/she may appeal the decision to the State of Georgia Department of Human Resources in accordance with their policy and procedures.
Note: Time limits designated in this process may be extended by the decision maker at each step for good cause only.
The consumer has the right to file a complaint with:
Department of Human Resources
Division of MH/DD/AD
Personal Advocacy Unit
Peachtree Street, N.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3171
Nak Union, Inc. DBA Nak Union Behavioral Health
5530 Old National Hwy Bldg. C, Suite B
College Park, GA 30349
Grievances/Complaint Policy
Receipt and Acknowledgment
I hereby acknowledge that I have received and have been given an opportunity to read a copy of Nak Union, Inc. Grievances/Complaint Policy form. I understand that if I have any questions regarding the Grievances/Complaint Policy form, I can contact Nak Union, Inc. 678-466-6458.
If you are signing as a personal representative of an individual, please describe your legal authority to act for this individual (power of attorney, healthcare surrogate, etc.).