Notice of Privacy Practices

 

This Notice of Privacy Practices (Notice) applies to Truegene Medical Testing Services, LLC. and all of its subsidiaries and business units (collectively referred to as "Truegene" in this Notice), except to the extent that a subsidiary, division, or business unit of Truegene performs occupational screening, forensic tests, paternity/identity tests, clinical trials tests or other services that do not involve standard electronic transactions for which the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has adopted standards.

 

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), Truegene is required by law to maintain the privacy of health information that identifies you, called protected health information (PHI), and to provide you with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices regarding PHI. Truegene is committed to the protection of your PHI and will make reasonable efforts to maintain the confidentiality of your PHI, as required by statute and regulation. We take this commitment seriously and will work with you to comply with your right to receive certain information under HIPAA.

 

This Notice describes how PHI may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.

 

For more information see: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/notice-privacy-practices/index.html.

 

Your Rights

 

When it comes to your PHI, you have certain rights. This section explains your rights and some of Truegene’s responsibilities.

 

You have the right to:

• Receive an electronic or paper copy of your PHI

• Ask to correct your PHI

• Request confidential communication

• Ask to limit the PHI Truegene uses or discloses

• Receive a list of certain disclosures of your PHI by Truegene

• Receive a copy of this privacy Notice

• Choose someone to act on your behalf as it relates to your PHI

• Notify Truegene or file a complaint regarding Truegene’s privacy practices

 

 

Your Choices

 

For certain PHI, you can tell Truegene your choices about what we disclose. If you have a clear preference for how we disclose your information in the situations described below, talk to Truegene. Tell Truegene what you want Truegene to do, and we will follow your instructions.

 

You have both the right and choice to tell Truegene to disclose your PHI in the following ways:

 

• With your family, close friends, or others involved in your care

• In response to a disaster relief situation

 

If you are not able to tell Truegene your preference, for example if you are unconscious, we may go ahead and disclose your information if we believe it is in your best interest. We may also disclose your information when needed to lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.

Truegene will request your written permission before disclosing your PHI for marketing purposes.

 

Truegene's Uses and Disclosures

 

How do we typically use or disclose your PHI?

Truegene uses or discloses PHI in the following ways:

• For treatment purposes

• For Truegene’s health care operations

• For billing and payment processing

 

How else can we use or disclose your PHI?

Truegene may further use or disclose PHI, as permitted under HIPAA, in the following ways:

• For public health and safety issues

• For research

• As required by law

• To respond to organ and tissue donation requests

• At the request of a medical examiner or funeral director

• To respond to workers’ compensation, law enforcement, and other government requests

• To respond to lawsuits and legal actions

 

Additional Safeguards and Protections

Truegene has in place additional safeguards for your PHI consistent with federal and state laws, for example, relating to mental health, HIV/AIDS, and genetic testing. In addition, federally assisted alcohol and drug treatment programs are subject to additional and separate restrictions on the use and disclosure of alcohol and drug abuse treatment information. Where required, Truegene will obtain your permission before disclosing PHI with additional safeguards to other health care providers who are not involved in your treatment program or care.

 

Truegene's Responsibilities

• Truegene is required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your PHI.

• Truegene will let you know if a breach occurs that has compromised the privacy or security of your PHI.

• Truegene is required to comply with this Notice and make this Notice available to you.

• Truegene will not sell or license your PHI to third parties.

• Truegene will not use or disclose your PHI other than as described in this Notice unless you tell Truegene we can in writing. If you tell Truegene we can, you may change your mind at any time by contacting Truegene in writing.

 

Changes to the Terms of this Notice

 

We can change the terms of this Notice, and the changes will apply to all PHI we have about you. The new Notice will be available upon request, in Truegene’s office, and on Truegene’s web site.

 

Effective Date of Notice: December 01, 2024