Health Care Associates and Community Care Givers is providing this Notice of Privacy Practices because the privacy of your health information is very important to you and to us, and must be in compliance with federal regulations. By "your health information," we mean the information that we maintain that specifically identifies you and your health status.

Summary

This notice describes how we use your health information within Health Care Associates and Community Care Givers and how and why we disclose it to others.

The notice covers:

• Uses or disclosures which do not require your written authorization.
  • Treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.
  • Uses or disclosures of your health information to which you may object.
  • Uses or disclosures required or permitted.
• Uses or disclosures which require your written authorization.
• Your rights as a patient regarding privacy of your health information.
• Our duties in protecting your health information.
• Complaints, contact person, effective date, and acknowledgement.

Uses or Disclosures Which Do Not Require Your Written Authorization Treatment, Payment and Healthcare Operations

We use or disclose your health information to carry out your treatment; to obtain payment for your treatment; and to conduct healthcare operations. For example:

• For treatment, we use your health information to plan, coordinate and provide your care. We disclose your health information for treatment purposes to physicians and other healthcare professionals outside our agency who are involved in your care.
• For payment, we use your health information to prepare documentation required by your insurance company or HMO, or by Medicare or Medicaid. We disclose that part of your health information that these organizations require to pay us.
• For healthcare operations, we use or disclose your health information, for example, to improve the quality of our services, to plan better ways of treating patients, and to evaluate staff performance.

Uses or Disclosures of Your Health Information to Which You May Object

Unless you ask us not to, we may use or disclose your health information for the following purposes .

• Informing family and friends. We may disclose your health information to family, friends, or others identified by you who are involved in your care.
• Assistance in disaster relief efforts.
• Confirming our visits to your home or other appointments.
• Informing you about treatment alternatives or other health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you.

If you object to our use of your health information for any of these purposes please contact: Community Care Givers and Healthcare Associates HIPAA contact person.

Uses or Disclosures Required or Permitted

Where we are required or permitted to do so, we may use or disclose your health information in the following circumstances without your written authorization.

• Federal government investigation, when required by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to investigate or determine our compliance with federal regulation.
• Federal, state or local law requirements.
• Public health activities, for example to report communicable diseases or death, or for matters involving the Food and Drug Administration.
• Reporting of abuse, neglect or domestic violence.
• Health oversight activities by a health oversight agency. (A health oversight agency is an organization authorized by the government to oversee eligibility and compliance and to enforce civil rights laws.)
• Judicial or administrative proceedings, for example, responding to a court order or subpoena.
• Law enforcement purposes, for example to report certain types of wounds or other physical injuries or to identify or locate a suspect, fugitive, material witness, or missing person.
• Use by coroners, medical examiners, or funeral directors.
• Facilitating organ, eye, or tissue donation.
• Research, provided that very strict controls are enforced.
• Averting a serious threat to your health or safety or that of the public.
• Specialized government functions such as military or veterans' affairs, national security, and intelligence activities.
• Workers’ compensation.

Uses or Disclosures Which Require Your Written Authorization

Your written authorization, which you may revoke (in writing), is required if we use or disclose your health information for any other purpose, in particular:

• Our use of psychotherapy notes beyond treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.
• Marketing of goods or services to you.

Your Rights As a Patient to Privacy Of Your Health Information

• Right to Request Restrictions
  You have the right to request restrictions on our uses and disclosures of your health information; however, we may refuse to accept the restriction.
• Right to Request Confidential Communications
  You have the right to request that we communicate with you confidentially. For example, to speak with you only in private; to send mail to an address you designate; or to telephone you at a number you designate. Your request must be in writing. We will make every attempt to honor your request.
• Right to Request Access to Your Health Information
  You have the right to request access to your health information in order to inspect or copy it. Your request must be in writing. We may deny your request and, if so, you may request a review of the denial. However, we will make every attempt to honor your request.
• Right to Request an Amendment of Your Health Information
  You have the right to request an amendment to your health information.
  Your request must be in writing and must provide a reason for the amendment.
  We may deny your request and, if so, you may submit a statement of disagreement. However, we will make every attempt to honor your request.
• Right to Request an Accounting of Disclosures of Your Health Information
  You have the right to request an accounting of our disclosures of your health information for purposes other than treatment, payment, and healthcare operations. We will make every attempt to honor your request. We are not required to provide an accounting for disclosures before April 14, 2003 or for more than 6 years prior to the date of your request.
• Right to Obtain a Paper Copy of This Notice
  If you received this notice electronically, you have the right to receive a paper copy.

To exercise any of these rights, please write or telephone Health Care Associates and Community Care Givers HIPAA contact person.

Our Duties in Protecting Your Health Information

• We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your health information.
• We must inform patients or their legal representatives of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to health information. This notice discharges that duty.
• We must abide by the terms of the notice currently in effect.
• We reserve the right to change the terms of this notice and to make the new notice provisions effective for all health information that we maintain. At any time, you may obtain a copy of the current notice from Director of Professional Services.

Complaints, Contact Person, Effective Date, and Acknowledgement

• You may complain to us and to the Secretary of Health and Human Services if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.
• You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.
• You may file your complaint with our agency by writing to Director of Professional Services.
• You may file a complaint with the Secretary of Health and Human Services by writing to:
  Secretary of Health and Human Services
  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
  Washington, D.C. 20201
  (Source: www.hhs.gov)
• For further information, you may write or call Director of Professional Services.
• This notice is effective April 14, 2003.

Terms Of Use

Health Care Associates ("HCA," "we" or "us") maintains this Web site (the "Site") as an online information and communication service. The information provided on this Site, or by any links to this Site, is for general consumer understanding and educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific treatment plan, product, course of action or healthcare provider. HCA provides this Site and the information contained within it, for the sole purpose of disseminating general health care information for the benefit of the general public. HCA does not provide, through this Site, specific medical advice and does not endorse any medical or professional service obtained through the use of information provided on this Site or any links to this Site. Use of the Site does not replace medical consultations with a qualified health or medical professional to meet the specific and individual health and medical needs of you or a loved one. Please check with a physician or health professional if you suspect you are ill.

By using this Site, you ("User" or "you") agree to accept and abide by the Terms and Conditions of Use set forth in this agreement and agree to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. If User does not agree to accept and abide by these Terms and Conditions of Use, do not use the Site. HCA may revise or modify these Terms and Conditions of Use at any time from time to time and post such revisions or modifications on this page. Continued use of the Site after any such revision or modification constitutes User's acceptance of the Terms and Conditions of Use as so revised or modified.

User access to the Site is subject to any and all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

All content included on this Site, such as text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, audio clips, digital downloads, data compilations, and software, is the property of HCA or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. The compilation of all content on this Site is the exclusive property of HCA and protected by United States and international copyright laws. All software used on this Site is the property of HCA or its software suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws.

THIS SITE AND THE HCA MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS AND AS SUCH THIS SITE AND THE HCA MATERIALS MAY CONTAIN INACCURACIES AND TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS. ADDITIONALLY, MEDICAL INFORMATION CHANGES RAPIDLY, ALTHOUGH HCA MAY UPDATE THIS SITE, SOME OF THE INFORMATION MAY BE OUT OF DATE OR CONTAIN OTHER ERRORS. HCA DOES NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE HCA MATERIALS OR ANY OPINION, ADVICE OR STATEMENT DISPLAYED ON THIS SITE. YOU EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT YOUR USE OF THIS SITE IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY APPLICABLE LAW, HCA DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE REGARDING THE SITE AND THE HCA MATERIALS. HCA DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THIS SITE, ITS SERVICES OR E-MAIL SENT FROM HCA ARE FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. HCA WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OF ANY KIND ARISING FROM THE USE OF THIS SITE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.

You may have the opportunity to provide certain personal information to access certain portions of this Site. The collection or use of such personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy which can be found from the home page of the Site.

Postings by any User to any message board, bulletin board, chat room and/or forum located in this Site will not be protected as confidential, and HCA may use and provide information contained in any such postings (including any remarks, suggestions, ideas, concepts, know-how or other intellectual property) to other Users, or any parent, subsidiary, and/or affiliates of HCA for any purpose whatsoever and as deemed appropriate by HCA. By providing any such information or materials to HCA, each User grants to HCA an unrestricted, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty free license to use, reproduce, and display such information and materials, and you agree that HCA is free to use any remarks, suggestions, ideas, concepts, know-how or other intellectual property. You acknowledge and agree that you are responsible for whatever material you submit on this Site and you agree not to post or otherwise disseminate on this Site any unlawful, defamatory, libelous, threatening, obscene, harassing, vulgar or otherwise unlawful information of any kind, or materials that incorporate the proprietary rights of any person. You understand and agree that HCA, its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees and shareholders shall have no liability for any information or material contained on a bulletin board or other posting site.

You agree to indemnify HCA and any of its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees and/or shareholders, together with any successor, assign, or licensee of HCA, against any damages, losses, liabilities, judgements, costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs) arising out of a claim by a third party relating to your use of the Site or the HCA Materials, or any breach or violation of these Terms and Conditions of Use or any other agreements related to the Site.

Access to and use of password protected and/or secure areas of this Site are restricted to authorized Users only. Unauthorized individuals attempting to access these areas of the Site may be subject to prosecution. HCA reserves the right to seek all remedies available at law and in equity for violations of these Terms and Conditions of Use.

Any dispute relating in any way to your visit to www.healtcareassociates.net or to any products you may purchase through www.healtcareassociates.net shall be submitted to confidential arbitration in Grand Rapids, Michigan, except that, to the extent you have in any manner violated or threatened to violate HCA's intellectual property rights, HCA may seek injunctive or other appropriate relief in any state or federal court in the state of Michigan, and you consent to exclusive jurisdiction and venue in such courts. Arbitration under these Terms and Conditions of Use shall be conducted under the rules then prevailing of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator's award shall be binding and may be entered as a judgement in any court of competent jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no arbitration under these Terms and Conditions of Use shall be joined to an arbitration involving any other party subject to these Terms and Conditions of Use, whether through class arbitration proceedings or otherwise.

This Site may contain information and press releases concerning HCA. While this information was believed to be accurate to the best of HCA's knowledge when put on this Site, HCA expressly disclaims any duty or obligation to update such information or keep such information current.

Any cause of action User may have with regard to the use of this Site must be instituted within one (1) year after the claim or cause of action arises or be deemed forever waived and barred. If any court of competent jurisdiction finds any provision of these Terms and Conditions of Use to be unenforceable, such provision shall be enforced to the maximum extent permissible, and the remainder of this Agreement shall be separately enforced.

By using this Site, you signify your assent to these Terms and Conditions of Use of the Site. If you do not agree with these Terms and Conditions of Use, please do not use our Site. Your continued use of this Site, following the posting of any changes to these terms and conditions of use mean you accept those changes.