NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES POLICY

POLICY

All patients of LEL will receive notice of the privacy practices. These practices are designed to protect the privacy, use and disclosure of protected health information in accordance with the federal requirements of the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act HIPAA regulations.

These practices include modifications to the privacy, security, enforcement, and breach notification rules under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act), and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act.

PURPOSE

To assure compliance with the regulations and to consistently inform patients/representatives of LEL’s policy and procedure in protecting their health information.

To identify and respect the patient’s request for who can receive information.

To respond to changes in the privacy and security requirements based on changed in HIPAA.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS 

1. LEL’s privacy practices are described in the notice.
2. The notice of privacy practices is given to all patients at the time of admission.
3. The notice of privacy practices is inserted into the Employee Handbook and is given to all business associates.
4. The notice of privacy practices is reviewed with all new employees during LEL orientation, and with all current employees annually.
5. LEL makes the notice available to all who request it.
6. The Notice of Privacy Practices will be revised as needed to reflect changes in LEL practice, state or federal regulations. When revisions are necessary all staff, patients, and business associates will be informed of the changes and given a revised copy of the notice.
7. The Privacy Officer or designated person will retain copies of the original Notice of Privacy Practices and any revisions for a period of six (6) years from the date of its creation or when it was last in effect.
8. All employees and business associates of LEL are required to adhere to the privacy practices as detailed in the Notice.  
9. The privacy practices and requirements of LEL are detailed further in the privacy policies in this manual.
   
10. Violations of LEL’s privacy practices will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or contracts.
11. The Notice is posted in a clear and prominent location within LEL.
12. The Notice of Privacy Practices is prominently displayed and available electronically on LEL Web site at http://www.LELhomeservices.com