RISKS AND BENEFITS OF THE RELATIONSHIP ENHANCEMENT PACKAGE

Participating in this package can result in numerous benefits, including improving interpersonal relationships and resolving the concerns that led you to seek this service.  Working toward these benefits, however, requires active involvement, honesty and openness on your part.  Moreover, while this service is effective for many people there are some risks involved.  People at times report discomfort during the assessment review as they begin to look at areas in their life that aren’t working or not working as well as they would like them to.  Sometimes undesirable feelings can emerge as one considers unpleasant, difficult or embarrassing subjects. Attempting to resolves tensions between yourself and your partner may lead to changes that were not originally intended.  Moreover, a decision that is positive for one person can be viewed quite negatively by another.  Change can be easy and swift; but more often it can be slow, and even frustrating.  For some people, problems may get worse before they get better.  It is also possible that this assessment package does not work.  Even so, many people find that it is worth the difficulty.

Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Client Rights & Therapist Duties

This document contains important information about federal law, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), that provides privacy protections and patient rights with regard to the use and disclosure of your Protected Health Information (PHI) used for the purpose of treatment, payment, and health care operations. HIPAA requires that I provide you with a Notice of Privacy Practices (the Notice) for use and disclosure of PHI for treatment, payment and health care operations. The Notice, which is attached to this Agreement, explains HIPAA and its application to your PHI in greater detail. The law requires that I obtain your signature acknowledging that I have provided you with this.  If you have any questions it is your right and obligation to ask so we can have a further discussion prior to signing this document. When you sign this document, it will also represent an agreement between us. You may revoke this Agreement in writing at any time. That revocation will be binding on me unless I have taken action in reliance on it.

LIMITS ON CONFIDENTIALITY

The law protects the privacy of all communication between a patient and a therapist. In most situations, I can only release information about your treatment to others if you sign a written authorization form that meets certain legal requirements imposed by HIPAA. There are some situations where I am permitted or required to disclose information without either your consent or authorization, if such a situation arises, I will limit my disclosure to what is necessary.  Reasons I may have to release your information without authorization:

• If you are involved in a court proceeding and a request is made for information concerning your diagnosis and treatment, such information is protected by the psychologist-patient privilege law. I cannot provide any information without your (or your legal representative’s) written authorization, or a court order, or if I receive a subpoena of which you have been properly notified and you have failed to inform me that you oppose the subpoena. If you are involved in or contemplating litigation, you should consult with your attorney to determine whether a court would be likely to order me to disclose information.
• If a government agency is requesting the information for health oversight activities, within its appropriate legal authority, I may be required to provide it for them.
• If a patient files a complaint or lawsuit against me, I may disclose relevant information regarding that patient in order to defend myself.
• If a patient files a worker’s compensation claim, and I am providing necessary treatment related to that claim, I must, upon appropriate request, submit treatment reports to the appropriate parties, including the patient’s employer, the insurance carrier or an authorized qualified rehabilitation provider.
• I may disclose the minimum necessary health information to my business associates that perform functions on our behalf or provide us with services if the information is necessary for such functions or services. My business associates sign agreements to protect the privacy of your information and are not allowed to use or disclose any information other than as specified in our contract.

There are some situations in which I am legally obligated to take actions, which I believe are necessary to attempt to protect others from harm, and I may have to reveal some information about a patient’s treatment:

• If I know, or have reason to suspect, that a child under 18 is abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent, legal custodian, caregiver, or any other person responsible for the child’s welfare, the law requires that I file a report with the Florida Abuse Hotline. Once such a report is filed, I may be required to provide additional information.
• If I know or have reasonable cause to suspect, that a vulnerable adult has been or is being abused, neglected, or exploited, the law requires that I file a report with the Florida Abuse Hotline. Once such a report is filed, I may be required to provide additional information.
• If I believe that there is a clear and immediate probability of physical harm to the patient, to other individuals, or to society, I may be required to disclose information to take protective action, including communicating the information to the potential victim, and/or appropriate family member, and/or the police or seeking hospitalization of the patient.

CLIENT RIGHTS AND THERAPIST DUTIES

Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information: 

• For Treatment – We use and disclose your health information internally in the course of your treatment. If we wish to provide information outside of our practice for your treatment by another health care provider, we will have you sign an authorization for release of information. Furthermore, an authorization is required for most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes.
• For Operations – We may use and disclose your health information within The Family Institute as part of our internal operations. For example, this could mean a review of records to assure quality. We may also use your information to tell you about services, educational activities, and programs that we feel might be of interest to you. 

Patient’s Rights:

• Right to Confidentiality – You have the right to have your health care information protected. If you pay for a service or health care item out-of-pocket in full, you can ask us not to share that information for the purpose of payment or our operations with your health insurer. We will agree to such unless a law requires us to share that information.
• Right to Request Restrictions – You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of protected health information about you. However, I am not required to agree to a restriction you request.
• Right to Inspect and Copy – You have the right to inspect or obtain a copy (or both) of PHI. Records must be requested in writing and release of information must be completed.  Furthermore, there is a copying fee charge of $1.50 per page. Please make your request well in advanced and allow 2 weeks to receive the copies.  If I refuse your request for access to your records, you have a right of review, which I will discuss with you upon request.
• Right to Amend – If you believe the information in your records is incorrect and/or missing important information, you can ask us to make certain changes, also known as amending, to your health information. You have to make this request in writing. You must tell us the reasons you want to make these changes, and we will decide if it is and if we refuse to do so, we will tell you why within 60 days.
• Right to a copy of this notice – If you wish to have a copy please ask and one will be provided to you.
• Right to an Accounting – You generally have the right to receive an accounting of disclosures of PHI regarding you. On your request, I will discuss with you the details of the accounting process.
• Right to Choose – You have the right to decide not to receive services with me. If you wish, I will provide you with names of other qualified professionals.
• Right to Release Information with Written Consent – With your written consent, any part of your record can be released to any person or agency you designate. We will discuss whether or not I think releasing the information in question to that person or agency might be harmful to you.

Therapist’s Duties:

• I am required by law to maintain the privacy of PHI and to provide you with a notice of my legal duties and privacy practices with respect to PHI. I reserve the right to change the privacy policies and practices described in this notice. Unless I notify you of such changes, however, I am required to abide by the terms currently in effect.  If I revise my policies and procedures, I will provide you with a revised notice in office during our session.

Electronic Assessment and Confidentiality:

I understand that by participating in the Gottman Relationship Check Up (research based assessment used in this package) I am giving my consent for the use of unencrypted email as a source of communication, and I authorize the use of my personal email.  The Gottman Relationship Checkup website has been developed to be compliant with HIPAA regulations. The site uses encryption to secure the connection. No personal identifiable health information is transmitted via email. The software that the site runs on is actively monitored and kept up to date with prompt application of the latest security patches stored in a cloud.

COMPLAINTS

If you are concerned that I have violated your privacy rights, or you disagree with a decision I made about access to your records, you may contact me, the State of Florida Department of Health, or the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.