Privacy Policy

Our Commitment

• Livingston Hearing Centers, Inc. is committed to protecting your protected health information, audiologic and medical records.
• We will outline how we may use and disclose your information. The HIPAA Privacy Rule requires that we protect the privacy of health information that identifies a given patient or where it is reasonable to conclude that it could identify a given patient. This information is called protected health information or PHI.
• PHI is defined as information such as name, social security number, address, telephone number, medical record number, or zip code.
• We are required by law to maintain confidentiality and the privacy of your PHI, to provide you with this document, and to comply with the terms of this document once it is effective.
• We reserve the right to make changes and modifications to this document as needed and to make such changes retroactive. If revised, we will post a copy in our offices in a prominent location and provide you with a copy upon request.

How We May Use & Disclose Your Information

Disclosures to Family & Caregivers

We may disclose your PHI to a family member, close friend, guardian, caregiver, or any other person identified by you, provided the PHI is directly relevant to their involvement in your care or payment. If you are present and able to consent, we will only disclose what you authorize. For example, we may allow a family member to pick up a repaired hearing aid or batteries on your behalf.

Required & Permitted Disclosures Without Authorization

• As required by local, state, and federal law
• To public health authorities for prevention or control of disease, injury, disability, or reporting of birth, death, or child/domestic violence
• To report problems with products or devices regulated by the FDA or State of Texas
• To provide information to officials during audits, investigations, or licensure activities
• To provide information for lawsuits or legal proceedings as required by a court of law
• To law enforcement in cases involving suspected crime victims, missing persons, or crimes committed in our office
• For certain military, veteran, national security, or intelligence activities
• To the Department of Health and Human Services regarding HIPAA Privacy Rule compliance

Livingston Hearing Centers, Inc. may not use your PHI in other situations without your written authorization. Once you provide written authorization, you may revoke it at any time in writing, except where we have already acted based upon the original authorization.

SMS / Text Messaging

Your Rights as a Patient

• You have the right to request additional restrictions to the use and disclosure of your PHI for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. Requests must be made in writing to our Privacy Officer.
• You have the right to request receipt of confidential communications in a specific manner of your choosing.
• You have the right to request copies of your PHI including audiologic, medical, hearing aid, or billing records. A nominal fee may apply for copying and mailing.
• You have the right to request changes to your PHI. Requests must be made in writing with a stated reason.
• You have the right to receive information about to whom, when, and why your PHI was used or disclosed — for up to six years following the disclosure.
• You have the right to receive a copy of this document at any time upon written request to our Privacy Officer.
• If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with Livingston Hearing Centers, Inc. or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-447-8477, or the Office of Civil Rights at 1-800-368-1019.

Contact Our Privacy Officer