Notice of Privacy Practices

Our Pledge to Your Privacy

We are legally required to protect your child’s health information (PHI) under HIPAA and Pennsylvania law. This notice explains:

  • How we may use/share PHI for care, payment, and operations.

  • Your rights to access, control, and protect PHI.

  • Our duties and how to report concerns.

Changes to This Notice: Updates will be posted on our website. You may request a copy anytime.

 How We Use & Share PHI

A. Routine Uses (No Authorization Needed)

·   Treatment: Coordinating with doctors, schools, or specialists (see Care Coordination below).

·   Payment: Billing insurers (if applicable) or processing payments.

·   Operations: Improving services, training staff, or auditing records.

B. Legal Exceptions (Without Consent)

·   We may disclose PHI when required by law, including:

o   Safety Threats: Risk of harm to self/others or abuse/neglect.

o   Court Orders: Valid subpoenas or judge-signed orders (we will notify you unless prohibited).

o   Public Health: Disease reporting or recalls.

C. Other Uses Require Your Written Authorization

  • Sharing records with non-treating providers (e.g., attorneys, non-referral schools).

  • Research or presentations (we never use identifiable data without consent).

 Your Rights

  1. Access Records: Request copies of PHI.

  2. Request Corrections: Amend inaccurate PHI.

  3. Limit Disclosures: Ask to restrict certain shares (we’ll comply unless legally barred).

  4. Confidential Communications: Specify how we contact you.

  5. Breach Alerts: We will notify you if PHI is compromised.

  6. Complain: File grievances with us or HHS (OCR Complaint Portal). You may file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

  7. We never sell PHI or use it for marketing.

Special Policies

Care Coordination - by starting services, you consent to communication with:

  • Referring physicians, schools, or specialists involved in your child’s care.

  • Revoke anytime in writing (except for prior disclosures).

Child Confidentiality

  • Parents receive general progress updates

  • Therapeutic confidentiality: Older children may share sensitive info privately to build trust. We’ll discuss boundaries during treatment.

Telehealth & Electronic Communications

  • Sessions use HIPAA-compliant platform.

  • No recordings without mutual written consent.

  • Use a private location and notify us if others are present.

Social Media & Public Spaces

  • We do not interact on personal social media.

  • In public, we won’t acknowledge you unless you initiate.

Legal & Court Involvement

  • Waiver: By signing our Service Agreement, you agree not to involve us in legal cases (e.g., custody disputes) unless compelled by a judge’s order.

  • Redaction: We may withhold sensitive details in records requests unless ordered by a court.

Questions or Concerns

Privacy Officer: Rob Tyrrell, BCBA, LBS, IBA
Email: Rob@pediatricbehavioral.com
Address: 4 Terry Dr. Suite 17A Newtown, PA 18940

For detailed policies please see our Service Agreement.