Privacy Policy

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.

This HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices (the “Notice”) contains important information regarding your medical information. Our current Notice can be found on our website. You also have the right to receive a paper copy of this Notice and may ask us to give you a copy of this Notice at any time. If you received this Notice electronically, you also are entitled to a paper copy of this Notice.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) imposes numerous requirements on health care providers regarding how certain individually identifiable health information – known as protected health information or protected health information – may be used and disclosed. This Notice describes how the Metropolitan Cardiovascular Institute (MCI) and its affiliates (collectively “Practice”), and any third party that assists in the administration of Practice, may use and disclose your protected health information for treatment, payment, or health care operations and for other purposes that are permitted or required by law.

This Notice also describes your rights to access and control your protected health information. “Protected health information” is information that is maintained or transmitted by Practice, that may identify you and that relates to your past, present or future physical or mental health or condition and related health care services.

The following is a list of ways that we may use and disclose your health information:

1. Treatment. The Metropolitan Cardiovascular Institute may use your health information to treat, diagnose, or prescribe medication in order to facilitate treatment or services by providers. Additionally, we may disclose health information with other health care providers, including doctors, nurses, technicians, medical students, or other hospital personal who are involved in your treatment.

2. Payment. MCI may use and disclose your health information in order to ascertain eligibility for benefits, to collect payment for treatment and services rendered, to determine benefit responsibility and coverage, or to coordinate your coverage. For example, we may contact your health insurer to certify that you are eligible for benefits (and for what range of benefits), and we may provide your insurer with details regarding your treatment to determine if your insurer will cover or pay for your particular treatment. We may also use and disclose your health information to obtain payment from third parties that may be responsible for such costs, such as family members. We may use your information to bill you directly for services and items. In addition, we may disclose your health information to other health care providers and entities to assist in their billing and collection efforts.

3. HealthCare Operations. MCI may use and disclose your medical information to operate business. For example, MCI may use your health information to evaluate the quality of care you received, or to conduct cost management and business planning activities for MCI. We may disclose your information to other health care providers and entities to assist in their health care operations, also.

4. Treatment Options. MCI may use and disclose your health information to inform you of potential treatment options or alternatives.

5. Health Related Benefits and Services. MCI may use and disclose your health information to inform you of health-related benefits or services that may be of interest to you.

6. Release of Information to Family/Friends. MCI may release your health information to a designated friend or family member that is involved in your care, or who assists in taking care of you. For example, if a family member is directly relevant to your health care or payment for your care, information can be provided to that individual.

6. Disclosures Required By Law. MCI will use and disclose your health information when we are required to do so by federal, state, or local law. For example, we may provide health information when required by the U.S. Department of Labor or other government agencies that regulate us; to federal, state, and local law enforcement officials; in response to a judicial order, subpoena, or other lawful process; and to address matters of public interest as required or permitted by law. We are required to disclose medical information about you to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if the Secretary is investigating or determining compliance with HIPAA or to authorize federal officials for intelligence, counterintelligence, and other national security activities authorized by law. We may disclose your medical information to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law (such as audits, investigations, inspections, and licensure).

The following describe unique scenarios in which we may use or disclose your health information:

1. Threat to Health or Safety. MCI may disclose your health information to public health authorities that are authorized by law to collect information for the purpose of preventing abuse or neglect; preventing or controlling injury or disability due to disease; reporting potential exposure to communicable disease; reporting reactions to medications, products, or devices; reporting recalls; notifying employers information related to workplace injury or illness.

2. Health Oversight Activities. MCI may disclose your health information to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law. Oversight activities can include investigations, inspections, audits, surveys, licensure, and disciplinary actions; civil, administrative and criminal procedures or actions; or other activities necessary for the government to monitor government programs, compliance with civil rights laws, and the health care system in general.

3. Organ and Tissue Donation. MCI may release your health to organizations that handle organ, eye, or tissue procurement or transplantation, including organ donation banks.

4.  Military and Veterans. MCI may disclose your health information if you are/were a member of U.S. or foreign military forces and if required by the appropriate authorities.

5.  Workers’ Compensation. MCI may release your health information for workers’ compensation and similar programs.

You have the following rights regarding the health information that we maintain about you:

1.  Right to Confidential Communications. You reserve the right to request that MCI communicate with you about your health and related issues in a particular manner or at a certain location. For instance, you may ask that we contact you at home, rather than work. In order to request a type of confidential communication, you must make a written request to Metropolitan Cardiovascular Institute, 1975 Nonconnah Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee 38132, specifying the requested method of contact or the location where you wish to be contacted. MCI will accommodate reasonable requests.

2.  Right to Request Restrictions. You have the right to request are restriction in our use or disclosure of your health information for treatment, payment, or health care operations. Additionally, you have the right to request that we restrict our disclosure of your health information to only certain individuals involved in your care or the payment for your care, such as family members and friends. We are not required to agree to your request; however, if we do agree, we are bound by our agreement except when otherwise required by law, in emergencies, or when the information is necessary to treat you. In order to request a restriction in our use or disclosure of your IIHI, you must make your request in writing to Metropolitan Cardiovascular Institute, 1975 Nonconnah Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee 38132. Provide the following:


(a) the information you wish restricted;


(b) whether you are requesting to limit MCI‘s use, disclosure or both; and

(c) to whom you want the limits to apply.

1. Right to Inspect and Copy. You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your medical information that may be used to make healthcare decisions. You must submit your request in writing to Metropolitan Cardiovascular Institute, 1975 Nonconnah Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee 38132. MCI may charge a fee for the costs of copying, mailing, labor, and supplies associated with your request. MCI may deny your request to inspect and/or copy in certain limited circumstances; however, you may request a review of our denial. Another licensed health care professional chosen by us will conduct reviews.

4. Right to Amend. You may ask us to amend your health information if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete and you may request an amendment for as long as the information is kept by or for MCI. To request an amendment, your request must be made in writing and submitted to Metropolitan Cardiovascular Institute, 1975 Nonconnah Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee 38132. You must provide us with a reason that supports your request for amendment. MCI will deny your request if you fail to submit your request (and the reason supporting your request) in writing. Also, we may deny your request if you ask us to amend information that is in our opinion (a) accurate and complete; (b) not part of the health information kept by or for the practice; (c) not part of the health information which you would be permitted to inspect and copy; or (d) not created by MCI, unless the individual or entity that created the information is not available to amend the information.

5. Right to Accounting of Disclosures. All of our patients have the right to request an “accounting of disclosures.” An “accounting of disclosures” is a list of certain non-routine disclosures MCI has made of your health information for non- treatment or operations purposes. Use of your health information as part of the routine patient care in MCI is not required to be documented. The doctor sharing information with the nurse or the billing department using your information to file your insurance claim is examples of such disclosures. In order to obtain an accounting of disclosures, you must submit your request in writing to Metropolitan Cardiovascular Institute, 1975 Nonconnah Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee 38132. All requests for an “accounting of disclosure” must state a time period, which may not be longer than six (6) years from the date of disclosure and may not include dates before April 14, 2003. The first list you request within a 12-month period is free of charge, but MCI may charge you for additional lists within the same l2-month period. MCI will notify you of the costs involved with additional requests, and you may withdraw your request before you incur any costs.

6. Right to 21 Paper Copy of This Notice. You are entitled to receive a paper copy of our notice of privacy practices. You may ask us to give you a copy of this notice at any time. To obtain a paper copy of this notice, contact Metropolitan Cardiovascular Institute at (901) 337-1625.

7. Right to File a Complaint. lf you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with MCI or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. To file a complaint with MCI, contact Metropolitan Cardiovascular Institute, 1975 Nonconnah Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee 38132. All complaints must be submitted in writing. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.

8. Right to Provide an Authorization for Other Uses and Disclosures. MCI will obtain your written authorization for uses and disclosures that are not identified by this notice or permitted by applicable law. Any authorization you provide to us regarding the use and disclosure of your health information may be revoked at any time in writing. After you revoke your authorization, we will no longer use or disclose your IIHI for the reasons described in the authorization. Please note, we are required to retain records of your care.

9. Effective Date. January 1, 2019.

10. Contact Information. All correspondence related to this Notice should be directed to:

Metropolitan Cardiovascular Institute
1975 Nonconnah Boulevard
Memphis, Tennessee 38132
(901) 337-1625 info@metropolitancardiovascularinstitute.com

and, if applicable,
Centralized Case Management Operations
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, SW
Room 509F HHH Building
Washington, D.C. 20201 OCRComplaint@hhs.gov
(800) 537-7697