As a patient, you have the right to adequate notice of the uses of your protected health information. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accessibility Act (HIPAA), Columbia Vision Center can use your protected health information for treatment, payment, and health care operations.

a)Treatment- We may use or disclose your health information to other healthcare providers for treatment purposes.

b)Payment- We may use and disclose your health information to obtain payment for services we provide you.

c)Health care operations- These operations include participation in managed care plans, internal quality assurance, training programs, accreditation, certification, financial or billing audits, business planning, and defense of legal matters.

In some limited situations, the law may require or allow us to use your health information without your permisiion. For public health purposes, we may be required to release your health information to governmental entities. We may also use your health information to provide you with appointment reminders via phone, email, or letter. However, we will not use your health information for marketing purposes or other reasons without your expressed written authorization. You also may revoke your own authorization at any time in the future.

If you have any questions, contact Jean T. Hua, OD at 701 5th Ave. #303 Seattle, WA 98104 or at (206)382-6682.