Privacy Notice

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION

PLEASE REVIEW THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY

First Choice Healthcare, Inc. is required by law to maintain the privacy of your health information, to provide you with your rights regarding your health information, and to abide by the terms of this Notice and Privacy Practices. We may use and disclose your protected health information (PHI) to carry out treatment, collect payment, carry out agency functions and operations, and for other purposes permitted or required by law. PHI is information that may identify you and relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition and related health care services. 

To comply with the updated federal privacy requirements effective February 16, 2026, under Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the revised confidentiality regulations at 42 CFR Part 2, our agency provides heightened protection for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment records that we receive. SUD records cannot be used or disclosed in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings without a qualifying court order or patient consent. We maintain administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the privacy and security of PHI and SUD information in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

The agency may change the terms of this Notice at any time. In the event the notice or our practices are changed, you will be notified and provided with a revised notice.

Use and Disclosure of Health Information

Treatment: PHI may be used to provide and coordinate care within the agency, and with others involved, such as your physician and other health care professionals. We may also disclose PHI to individuals outside of the agency who are involved in your care, such as your pharmacist.

Payment: PHI may be used to bill and collect payment from your insurance company, Medicare, or Medicaid. The Agency may need to disclose health information to obtain prior approval for your home health services. 

Health Care Operations: PHI may be used and disclosed for the agency to carry out day-to-day operations to provide you with quality care, to evaluate the care we provide, and to comply with our policies and procedures. For example, we may use PHI to remind you of an upcoming home visit; to recommend treatment options; to conduct performance evaluations; training and education of staff; for accreditation, certification, licensing, or credentialing activities; and for business planning and development within the agency.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD): SUD records are subject to 42 CFR Part 2 applies to any entity that “processes” (creates, receives, maintains, or transmits) SUD records. The agency may use and disclose SUD records for treatment, payment, and health care operations as permitted by law; however, such records remain subject to strict confidentiality protections. Except as otherwise permitted or required by law, we will not use or disclose SUD records without your written authorization. Redisclosure of SUD information is generally prohibited unless expressly allowed under federal regulations.

In addition to the circumstances stated above, your PHI may also be shared and disclosed:

  • When required by federal, state, or local law, such as responding to a court order or subpoena, or if you are involved in a lawsuit or similar proceeding. The agency will make every reasonable effort to notify you of such requests to protect the information being requested.
  • To a family member, or any other person you identify involved in your care or in the payment of services related to your care.
  • To the extent it is authorized and necessary to comply with the laws relating to workers’ compensation or other similar programs.
  • To Public Health or other authorities responsible for the prevention and control of disease, injury, and disability. Activities include maintaining vital statistics and records of births and deaths; reporting of child abuse or neglect; notification of potential/actual exposure to communicable disease; reporting of problems related to medications, defective products or devices; product recalls, repairs, and replacements; and compliance with all the requirements of the FDA.
  • To provide medical examiners, coroners, and funeral directors, with the necessary information to enable them to carry out their duties.
  • To other oversight agencies for activities including audits, criminal investigations, inspections, licensure or disciplinary action, and compliance with civil rights laws.
  • For national security and intelligence investigations. If you are a member of the armed forces, PHI may be released as required by military law.
  • To provide disaster relief.
  • To law enforcement authorities regarding a crime or a death believed to result of criminal conduct; in response to a warrant or similar legal order; to identify or locate a fugitive, missing person, material witness in a crime; and in an emergency, to report a crime.
  • To report abuse, neglect, or domestic Violence to social service or protective agencies when there is a reasonable suspicion that you are a victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence. Information will only be disclosed to the extent required by law, if you agree to the disclosure, or if required by law.
  • To organ procurement organizations or other entities engaged in the donation and transplant.
  • To business associates who are contracted by the agency to perform specific services for the agency, such as billing companies. All business associates are required by the agency to protect your PHI.

The Agency will not use or disclose your PHI for any other purposes other than those stated above without written authorization from you or your legal representative. This written authorization may be withdrawn or revoked in writing at any time.

Hospice Responsibilities:

  • We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health and financial information.
  • We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
  • We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and give you a copy of it.
  • We will not use or share your information other than as described in this notice unless you tell us we can in writing. If you tell us we can share information, you may change your mind at any time by notifying us in writing.

You have the right to:

  • Review and obtain a copy of your paper or electronic medical record that is maintained by the Agency, including billing records, except for psychotherapy notes. The agency may charge a reasonable fee for the costs associated with your request. The request must be submitted in writing to Reuven Zaslavski, Privacy Officer. Under certain circumstances your request may be denied. You have the right to have such a decision reviewed.
  • If someone has authority to act as your personal representative, such as if someone has your medical power of attorney or if someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information. We will make sure the person has this authority and can act for you before we take any action.
  • Request restrictions on the use or disclosure of your PHI or any Part 2 SUD records by the agency when carrying out treatment, collecting payment, or conducting agency operations. You may restrict how much PHI is disclosed to family members or other people involved in your care, or payment for that care. The request must be made in writing to Reuven Zaslavski, Privacy Officer, and include the information you want to restrict, to whom the restrictions apply. If the agency agrees to your request, we still may share this information in the event you need emergency treatment. If you pay for services out-of-pocket in full, you can ask us not to share information or the purpose of payment our operations with your health insurance.
  • Amend or correct your PHI if you believe that any PHI, we have is not correct or is incomplete. You may request an amendment, in writing, and submit it to Reuven Zaslavski, Privacy Officer. The request must include the reason for the amendment. The request may be denied by the agency if it is not in writing, does not include a reason to support the request, if the information you want amended was not created by the agency or is not a part of the agency records, or if the agency believes the information is accurate and complete. You have the right to file a written statement of disagreement.
  • Receive a list of the disclosures, including Part 2 SUD records, the agency has made of your PHI and for what purpose, other than to carry out treatment, collect payment, and conduct agency health care operations. Disclosures made to you, those made for notification purposes and appointments, and to family members and others involved in your care are excluded. Requests for an accounting of disclosures are subject to certain limitations: it must be in writing, state a period which may not be made for periods in excess of 6 years, and the first accounting requested within a 12-month period will be provided without charge. Subsequent accounting may be subject to a reasonable cost-based fee.

 

You will be notified of any cost involved. You may withdraw your request at any time. Submit your request to Reuven Zaslavski, Privacy Officer.

 

  • Receive a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you or your legal representative has received this Notice previously.
  • Receive confidential communications upon request. You may ask the agency to contact you in a particular manner or at certain locations. Example: you request to be contacted only in writing, in private, or at a different address or residence. This request must be submitted in writing to Reuven Zaslavski, Privacy Officer, and should include how or when you want to be contacted. All attempts will be made to comply with reasonable requests.
  • To revoke consent or authorization at any time. This request to be revoked must be made in writing.
  • To be notified if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
  • Right to file a complaint to the agency and the Secretary of DHHS, without fear of retaliation or discrimination, if you believe that your privacy rights have been violated. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint. Complaints to the agency should be addressed to:

 

Reuven Zaslavski, Hospice Administrator
First Choice Healthcare, Inc.
300 Washington Street, Suite 607
Newton, MA 02458

 

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Civil Rights
200 Independence Ave, S.W.
Washington, DC 20201
1-877-696-6775

Updated 2/16/26