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.

1.      Wellness Counseling Associates is required to protect your health information and advise you of HIPAA requirements. 

We are dedicated to maintaining the privacy of your health information as part of providing professional care. We are required by HIPAA to keep your health information confidential. These laws are complicated but we are required to provide you with the legal information.

2.      How Wellness Counseling Associates Uses and Discloses your health Information

When you receive counseling/treatment services from Wellness Counseling Associates we may obtain and use your protected health information, with your written consent, and disclose it for one or several of the following reasons:

·        To develop treatment plans and provide treatment services

·         To communicate with other health care professionals who refer or care for you and on a limited basis to probation and parole and court officials. 

·         To obtain payment for services or reimbursement from private insurers or government programs and verify that services billed were actually provided

·         To inform local and state public health officials responsible for improving healthcare

·         To inform you about other public programs and services

3.        Your Health Information Rights. You have the right to:

·        To be fully informed about your protections and rights to request a restriction on certain uses and disclosures of your protected health information

·        To request and obtain a copy of this Notice of Information Practices

·         To make a written request to the Director to inspect and copy your protected health information. Some information may be withheld

·         To request amendments to your protected health information

·         To request and obtain a list of persons or health providers that have  received disclosures of your protected health information

·         To revoke your consent to use or disclose protected health information to the extent that it has not already been relied upon

·         To file a complaint to the Director of Wellness Counseling Associates or the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.

4. The responsibilities of Wellness Counseling Associates include:  

·         To abide by the terms of this notice and maintain the privacy of your protected health information

·         To fully inform you with respect to HIPAA requirements and written consents for disclose

·         To offer and provide you, upon request, with a copy of this privacy practice statement

·         To provide no confidential information without your written consent and to advise you of disclosures of your protected health information

5. For More Information or to Report a Problem:

If you have questions and would like additional information, you may contact Richard Wheeler, Director, Wellness Counseling Associates, 1070 Sherry Lane, Lancaster, PA  17601

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with the Chief Executive Officer or with the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint.