Dr. Tatum prioritizes the privacy and security of your personal information and handle it in accordance with applicable laws. This document explains how your medical information may be used and shared, and how you can access it. Please read it carefully. This privacy policy is currently effective and was last updated on 6/1/2023.

Use of My Health Information

I understand that my healthcare provider, Dr. Tatum, is authorized to use and disclose my health information for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations. This includes my symptoms, test results, diagnoses, treatments, and billing documents.

If I use insurance to reimburse for services, Dr. Tatum may share information such as my diagnoses and treatment dates with my insurer. She may also disclose my information to business associates who support her practice, like malpractice insurance carriers, or for auditing purposes. Dr. Tatum is also permitted to disclose my health information to public health agencies to prevent disease, report abuse or neglect, or protect me or others in emergency situations. In some cases, she may be required by law to disclose my information for administrative or legal proceedings, with my authorization or as directed by a court order. Dr. Tatum may speak to other providers on my care team to benefit my current care. Unless I object, Dr. Tatum may release health information about me to a friend or family member who is involved in my medical care. In general, this will only be done in an emergency.

Dr. Tatum makes every effort to protect patient confidentiality in all communications. Although Dr. Tatum provides a HIPAA-compliant patient portal as a potential avenue of communication with patients, the security of electronic communication can never be 100% secure and may be retrievable by unintended third parties. Dr. Tatum cannot guarantee full protection against potential unknown/illegal/unauthorized privacy violations. If I initiate an email or phone message that includes sensitive information, I will be responsible for any privacy-related outcome of this communication.

My Health Information Rights

I have certain rights regarding my health information. I can request restrictions on how it is used and shared, inspect and copy my records, appeal a denial of access, amend incomplete or incorrect information, and request alternative means of communication. I can also request an accounting of disclosures or revoke previous authorizations. I can tell Dr. Tatum my preference in situations where she would typically share my information with family or friends, for disaster relief, or in a hospital directory. If I am unable to communicate my preference, she may share my information if she believes it is in my best interest. Dr. Tatum will not share my information for marketing purposes, the sale of my information, or most sharing of psychotherapy notes without my written permission. If I think my rights are being denied, I have the right to file a complaint with my insurer or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Dr. Tatum will always maintain the confidentiality of my health information, except when required by law or when it is necessary to protect my health or safety. She may change or eliminate some provisions of this notice but will notify me if she does so. If I have any questions, I can ask Dr. Tatum.

By utilizing our medical services, you acknowledge that you have reviewed and understood our privacy policy and consent to the terms as outlined above.