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This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully. Effective Date: April 14, 2003
Oklahoma Health Care Authority's promise to you
The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) protects the privacy of your health information and follows all state and federal laws. You already have privacy protection under Medicaid and Oklahoma laws. This letter tells you about your privacy rights and what we, as an agency, may do with your health information by law.
Health Information Rights
Right to Inspect and Copy: You have the right to see and have a copy of the health information that OHCA has about you. It will not include information needed for civil, criminal, administrative actions and proceedings, or psychotherapy notes.
Right to Request an Amendment: If you feel the health information we have about you is wrong or incomplete, you may ask us in writing to fix the information. We may say no to your request if it is not in writing and it does not include a reason, or the information was not created by us, or the information is determined to be correct and complete.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You have the right to request an "accounting of disclosures", a list of the names we gave your health information to, other than disclosures for purposes of treatment, payment or operations. Your request must not go back more than six years and must not include dates prior to April 14, 2003.
Right to Request Restrictions: You have the right to ask us to either not give or partially give your health care information used for treatment, payment or health care operations. We do not have to agree to your request. If we do agree, we will follow your request for restriction unless the information is used to provide you emergency care.
Right to Request Confidential Communication: You have the right to ask that we talk with you about health care matters in a certain way or at a certain place. For example, you can ask that we only contact you at work or by email. OHCA will work to meet all reasonable requests.
Right to a Paper Copy of this Notice: You have the right to ask for a paper copy of this notice. You may also print a copy of this notice from our website.
To use these rights, a request for inspecting, copying, amending, making restrictions, or obtaining an accounting of your health information must be made in writing to:
4345 N. Lincoln Boulevard
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
For more information, please call OHCA’s Member Service at (405) 522-7171 or (800) 522-0310. For the hearing and visually impaired please call our TDD/TTY line at (405) 522-7179. You may be asked to pay for copies.
How OHCA may use and disclose health care information
Your health information may be used and given by OHCA for treatment, payment and operational needs. OHCA provides many services, therefore, not all types of uses and releases can be given in this notice. We have listed some common ways that are allowed uses and releases on the other side of this page.
For Treatment: Caregivers, such as nurses, doctors, therapists and social workers may use your health information to determine your plan of care. Individuals and programs within OHCA may share health information about you to manage your services.
For Payment: OHCA may give information about you to your health plan or health insurance carrier to pay for your services. We may also share your information with other government programs such as Workers’ Compensation, Medicare, or Indian Health Services in order to better manage your benefits and payments.
For Operations: OHCA may use and give information about you to make sure that the services and benefits you get are correct and high quality. We may share your health information with business partners who perform work for OHCA. OHCA requires that our business partners use the same level of privacy and security as we do when handling your health information.
To Other Government Agencies Providing Benefits or Services: OHCA may give your health information to other government agencies that are providing you with benefits or services when the information is necessary for you to receive those benefits and services.
For Health Oversight Activities: OHCA may share your health information with other divisions within the agency and with other agencies for oversight activities as required by law. Examples of these oversight activities include audits, inspections, investigations and licensure.
For Law Enforcement: OHCA may give health information to a law enforcement official, subject to applicable federal and state law and regulations, for purposes that are required by law or in response to a court order or subpoena.
Lawsuits and Disputes: If you are involved in a lawsuit or a dispute, OHCA may give health information about you in response to a court or administrative order. We may also give health information about you in response to a subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process.
To Coroners, Medical Examiners and Funeral Directors: OHCA may release health information to a coroner, medical examiner or funeral director, as necessary to carry out duties as authorized by law.
For Organ Donations: If you are an organ donor, OHCA may give your health information to an organization that procures, banks, or transports organs for the purpose of an organ, eye or tissue donation and transplantation.
To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety: OHCA may give your health information if it is necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or to the health and safety of the public or another person.
To the Military: If you are a veteran or a current member of the armed forces, OHCA may give your health information as required by military command or veteran administration authorities.
As Required By Law: We will give health information about you when required to do so by federal, state or local law.
State and Federal laws require OHCA to maintain the privacy of your health information and to give you this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices. By law, we will follow the terms of this notice.
OHCA has the right to change this notice. We keep the right to make any changed notice effective for the health information we already have about you, as well as any information we create or get in the future. We will give you a copy of any new notices within 60 days. We will also post a copy of the current notice on our website.
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint by writing to Oklahoma Health Care Authority, 4345 N. Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or Secretary of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20201, or call toll free 877-696-6775. You need to do this within 180 days of when the problem that caused concern happened. There will be no punishment for filing a complaint.
