Privacy Notice and Authorization for Non-Covered Entity:

Your privacy is important to us and records will be held confidential unless the client signs a release to other caregivers or to obtain a client copy. Amy LaRue, ND and Amy LaRue Wellness will not use or disclose your health information for any purpose other than as provided by your specific written authorization. Any specific written authorization you provide may be revoked at any time by writing to Dr. LaRue at the address above. While Amy LaRue, ND and Amy LaRue Wellness are not covered entities under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”), the security of your health information is important, and we take all reasonable steps to ensure the privacy of your information. Clients should be aware that there are limits to such protections. 

Health Information Policies:

You should understand the following policies with regard to how we treat your personal health information:

1) We cannot release information to family members, other than that of minors to parents or legal guardians, even if they are involved in your care, without your written permission.

2) In order to ensure quality of care, records are occasionally reviewed both internally and by outside consultants in legal, clinical, record keeping and other concerns that affect the quality of the services we provide. Only necessary information is accessed, and any such review is performed by professional staff working under the condition of confidentiality.

3) If you wish to limit the nature of information that is released, or the parties noted above to whom information may be provided, please inform Ms. LaRue and discuss these limitations. It is best to discuss such concerns in advance.

4) You may revoke authorization for the future release of information in writing. We may in that event, however, decline to provide further treatment.

5) We may be required by law, in some cases, to make disclosures of your record that you have not authorized. Examples are subpoenas in criminal or civil litigation, or requests/surveys by licensure agencies or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

6) Because Amy LaRue, ND and Amy LaRue Wellness are not subject to HIPAA, the practice will continue long established and useful business practices, such as providing you with appointment reminders but will take steps to do so in a fashion that takes your privacy expectations into account. Please inform us below of any limitations you would like us to honor in this regard.

7) While the records of the care we provide are our property, we will make them available for your inspection and provide copies. Amy LaRue, ND and Amy LaRue Wellness reserve the right to charge a reasonable fee. 

Internet and Email Communication:

If consultation occurs over our video conferencing service it will be a HIPAA-compliant and secure platform. Record-sharing and other communication services over our platform will also be secure platforms. Please review the privacy and security statement and disclaimer for additional information about these services. In the event consultation occurs over Skype, Facetime, Zoom or other non-HIPAA services, clients should understand that while its communications are encrypted, Skype and similar services are not considered a secure patient web portal. No guarantee can be made that the Skype or other service protects users’ data or the content of communications or that it is secure from third-party “hackers.” 

Further, e-mail is not a secure and confidential method of communicating health information. While Amy LaRue, ND and Amy LaRue Wellness will take reasonable precautions with the information under their control, interception or misuse of client communications over Skype, email, or telephone, while unlikely, are possible. Clients agree to assume the risk and accept the consequences of such breaches. Amy LaRue, ND and Amy LaRue Wellness shall not be liable for any breach of confidentiality that may result from the use of e-mail. 

E-mail should not be used for urgent matters and clients should contact 911 or visit the nearest emergency room if feeling unsafe or experiencing a life-threatening emergency. E-mail communications may be made part of my permanent health record and would be accessible to anyone given access to those records.