Health Information Privacy Rights

Patient Rights

At George A. Maranon, D.D.S., M.D., we believe in treating out patients with compassion, understanding and respect.

• Patients have the right be treated with respect and understanding.
• Patients have the right to see Dr. Maranon every time they receive treatment.
• Patients have the right to have all the treatment options explained regardless of coverage or cost.
• Patients have the right to ask about treatment alternatives and be told, in language you can understand, the advantages and disadvantages of each.
• Patients have the right to know in advance the expected cost of treatment and payment required.
• Patients have the right to schedule an appointment in a timely manner.
• Patients have the right to expect Dr. Maranon and the staff members to use appropriate infection and sterilization controls.
• Patients have the right know Dr. Maranon’s education and training as well as that of his staff.
• Patients have the right know the professional rules, laws and ethics that apply to Dr. Maranon and the office staff.
• Patients have the right confidentiality to your records.

Privacy Policy

We will maintain the privacy of all patient’s health information. We provide this notice about our privacy practices, our legal duties, and patient’s rights concerning their health information. We will follow the privacy practices that are described in this Notice while it is in effect. This Notice took effect on April 14, 2003 and will remain in effect until it is replaced. We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and the terms of this Notice at any time, provided such changes are permitted by applicable law. We reserve the right to make the changes in our privacy practices and the new terms of our Notice effective for all health information that we maintain, including health information we created or received before we made the changes. Before we make a significant change in our privacy practices, we will change this Notice and make the new Notice available upon request. Patient’s  may request a copy of our Notice at any time. For more information about our privacy practices, or for additional copies of this Notice, please contact us using the information listed at the end of this Notice.

Uses and Disclosures of Health Information

We use and disclose health information about patients for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations. For example: Treatment: We may use or disclose health information to a physician or other healthcare provider for the purposes of providing treatment to a patient. Payment: We may use and disclose health information to obtain payment for services we provide to patients. Healthcare Operations: We may use and disclose health information in connection with our healthcare operations. Healthcare operations include quality assessment and improvement activities, reviewing the competence or qualifications of healthcare professionals, evaluating practitioner and provider performance, conducting training programs, accreditation, certification, licensing or credentialing activities. Patient’s Authorization: In addition to our use of health information for treatment, payment or healthcare operations, patients may give us written authorization to use their health information or to disclose it to anyone for any purpose. If patients give us an authorization, they may revoke it in writing at any time. Revocation will not affect any use or disclosures permitted by the authorization while it was in effect. Unless patients give us a written authorization, we cannot use or disclose your health information for any reason except those described in this Notice. To Family and Friends: We must disclose health information to patients, as described in the Patient Rights section of this Notice. We may disclose health information to a family member, friend or other person to the extent necessary to help with a patient’s healthcare or with payment for that healthcare, but only if patients agree that we may do so. Persons Involved In Care: We may use or disclose health information to notify, or assist in the notification of (including identifying or locating) a family member, a personal representative or another person responsible for the care of a patient care, the location of a patient, a patient’s general condition, or death. If a patient is present, then prior to use or disclosure of the health information, we will provide the patient with an opportunity to object to such uses or disclosures. In the event of a patient’s incapacity or emergency circumstances, we will disclose health information based on a determination using our professional judgment disclosing only health information that is directly relevant to the person’s involvement in that patient’s healthcare. We will also use our professional judgment and our experience with common practice to make reasonable inferences of the best interest in allowing a person to pick up filled prescriptions, medical supplies, x-rays, or other similar forms of health information. Marketing Health-Related Services: We will not use your health information for marketing communications without written authorization. Required by Law: We may use or disclose a patient’s health information when we are required to do so by law. Abuse or Neglect: We may disclose health information to appropriate authorities if we reasonably believe that a patient is a possible victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence or the possible victim of other crimes. We may disclose health information to the extent necessary to avert a serious threat to a patient’s health or safety or the health or safety of others. National Security: We may disclose to military authorities the health information of Armed Forces personnel under certain circumstances. We may disclose to authorized federal officials health information required for lawful intelligence, counterintelligence, and other national security activities. We may disclose to correctional institution or law enforcement official having lawful custody of protected health information of inmate or patient under certain circumstances. Appointment Reminders: We may use or disclose health information to provide a patient with appointment reminders (such as voicemail messages, postcards, or letters).

Photographs and Images

I consent to the use, in whole or in part, of my photographic or radiographic images associated with my treatment with Dr. Maranon. The use of my photographs may include but not necessarily be limited to education and website use.

In regard to the use of these photographic images, I hereby waive any right that I may have to monetary compensation or to inspect or approve the finished product, or the advertising or other uses made of the product. I also release Dr. Maranon or assignees from any and all liability that may or could arise from the taking and using of these photographic or radiographic images.