Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding the PHI we maintain about you.

Right to Request Restrictions

You have the right to request a restriction or limitation on the PHI we use or disclose about you for treatment, payment or health care operations. You also have the right to request a limit on the PHI we disclose about you to someone who is involved in your care or the payment for your care, such as a family member or friend. We are not required to agree with your request. If we do agree, we will comply with your request unless the information is needed to provide you with emergency treatment. BCM will notify you in writing whether we agree or do not agree with your request. In your request, you must tell us: (1) what information you want to limit; (2) whether you want to limit BCM's use and/or disclosure of the information; (3) to whom you want the limits to apply (for example, disclosures to your spouse); and (4) your contact address. A restriction request form is available electronically at http://www.BCM.edu/compliance/hipaa. Other compliance contact information.

Right to Request Confidential Communications

You have the right to request that we communicate with you about medical matters in a certain way or at a certain location. For example, you can ask that we only contact you by telephone at work or that we only contact you by mail at home. Your request must specify how or where you wish to be contacted. We will accommodate all reasonable requests.

Right to Inspect and Receive a Copy

You have the right to inspect and receive a copy of PHI that may be used to make decisions about your care. Usually, this includes medical and billing records. Psychotherapy notes may not be inspected or copied. If you request a copy of your PHI, we may charge a fee for the costs of copying, mailing or other supplies associated with your request. We may deny your request to inspect or receive a copy in certain very limited circumstances. If you are denied access to PHI, we will notify you in writing, and you may request that the denial be reviewed. Another licensed health care professional chosen by BCM will review your request and the denial. The person conducting the review will not be the person who denied your request. We will comply with the outcome of the review.

Right to Amend

If you believe that PHI we have about you is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask us to amend the information. You have the right to request an amendment for as long as the information is kept by or for BCM. You must include a reason that supports your request. In order to ensure that we collect the information we need, BCM provides a form electronically at http://www.bcm.edu/compliance/hipaa. Other compliance contact information.

We may deny your request for an amendment if it is not in writing or does not include a reason to support the request. In addition, we may deny your request if you ask us to amend information that: (1) was not created by us, unless the person or entity that created the information is no longer available to make the amendment; (2) is not part of the PHI kept by or for BCM; (3) is not part of the information that you would be permitted to inspect and copy; or (4) is accurate and complete. BCM will notify you in writing whether we agree or do not agree with your amendment request.

Additionally, if we grant the request, we will make the correction and distribute the correction to those who need it and those you identify that you want to receive the corrected information. If we deny your request for an amendment, we will notify you how you may file a complaint with BCM or the Department of Health and Human Services.

Right to an Accounting of Disclosures

You have the right to request an "accounting of disclosures” that have been made by BCM in the past six (6) years. The accounting (or list) of disclosures will include: (1) the date of the disclosure; (2) the name of the entity or person who received the PHI and, if known, the address; (3) a brief description of the PHI disclosed; and (4) a brief statement of the purpose of the disclosure. Your request must state a time period not longer than six (6) years and may not include dates before April 14, 2003. The first list you request within a twelve (12) month period will be free of charge. For additional lists, we will charge you for the costs of providing the list. We will notify you of the cost involved and you may choose to withdraw or modify your request at that time before any costs are incurred.

Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice

You have the right to a paper copy of this notice. You may ask us to give you a copy of this notice at any time. Even if you have agreed to receive this notice electronically, you are still entitled to a paper copy of this notice. To obtain a paper copy of this notice, contact the BCM Compliance Office. See below for contact information.

Compliance Help Line

713-961-3547

BCM HIPAA Privacy Officer

713-798-5637

BCM Compliance Office

Two Greenway Plaza, Suite 910
Houston, Texas 77049
713-798-8377

Access to Electronic Copy of This Notice

You may obtain an electronic copy of this notice at our web site, http://www.bcm.edu/about/privacy/notices.cfm.