We are unable to take back any disclosures we have already made based on your authorization.

• For fast access to your PHI, you can create an online MyChart account.
• MyChart helps you review and manage information about your health and communicate with your care team.

• You can ask us to correct your PHI. The request must be in writing and explain why the information should be corrected.

• You can access the PHI Amendment Request Form at summahealth.org/patientvisitor/patient-support/releaseofinformation and mail the completed form to: Summa Health MyChart Amendment Support, Health Information Management - 1st Floor, 141 N. Forge St., Akron, OH 44304, or fax to: 330.375.3392.

• We may deny your request if the information on file is accurate and complete or for other permissible reasons.

• You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example, home or office phone or send mail to a different address).
• We will agree to all reasonable requests.

• You can ask us not to use or disclose your PHI.
• We are only required to agree to your request if:
  • You ask us not to share PHI with your health plan for payment or healthcare operations, and
  • The PHI relates only to items or services that you or another person (not your health plan) paid for in full.

• You can request a list showing when, to whom and why your PHI was shared in the past six years.
• The list will not include disclosures for treatment, payment, healthcare operations or those you authorized.
• To request this list, send a request to releases@summahealth.org. 
• You may receive one free list per year. Additional requests within 12 months may have a reasonable fee.

• You may appoint someone to exercise your rights related to your PHI, such as:
  • A healthcare power of attorney, or
  • A HIPAA representative
• We will verify that the person has the proper authority to act on your behalf.

• You can ask for a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically. We will provide you with a paper copy promptly.

• We may contact you about your healthcare using the phone numbers and email addresses you provide. This may include automated calls, texts or emails.
• You can opt out of these communications at any time.
• Messages may include appointment reminders, billing, research opportunities and general health information.
• Texts and emails are not encrypted, so there is a risk someone else could access them. We limit the amount of PHI in these messages.
• If you do not wish to receive texts or emails, please let us know, and we will honor your request.

• Share your information with your family, close friends or others involved in your care
• Include your information in the facility directory

Our Responsibilities

• We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your PHI.
• We will only use and disclose your PHI as described in this notice.
• Uses and disclosures not described in this notice will be made only with written authorization.
• We will not sell your PHI, and will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing PHI:
  • For marketing purposes
  • That is psychotherapy notes or substance use disorder counseling notes, except to carry out certain treatment, payment or operations
• We will promptly inform you if a breach occurs that compromises the privacy or security of your PHI.

How We Use and Disclose Your PHI

• We use and share your PHI to provide, coordinate and manage your healthcare. For example, we share your PHI with:
  • Doctors, nurses, technicians, medical students or other hospital staff who are involved in taking care of you
  • Service providers that help with other health-related needs, such as food, housing, social and mental health support. Service providers include, for example, Unite Us, Better Health Partnership and United Way 211.
• We use and share your PHI to provide you with appointment or medication reminders. You may request that we provide such reminders in a certain way or at a certain place. We will try to honor all reasonable requests.
• We may also communicate to you by newsletters, mailings, email or other means about treatment options, health-related information, disease management programs, wellness programs or other community-based activities in which Summa Health participates.

• Bill and collect payment from your insurance company or other third party.
• Obtain precertification and preauthorization of services. 

• Doctors, nurses, technicians, medical students and others for review and learning reasons
• Auditors and agencies that review the quality of care we provide
• Organizations that create quality standards for treating certain conditions

• We obtain consent before using or disclosing substance use disorder (SUD) records protected by 42 CFR part 2 for TPO, except if the third-party payer is a HIPAA-covered health plan.
• Patients may provide a single consent covering all future TPO uses/disclosures until revoked.
• Treatment may be conditioned on signing consent for future TPO disclosures.
• Records that are disclosed to a part 2 program, covered entity or business associate pursuant to the patient’s written consent for treatment, payment and healthcare operations may be further disclosed by that part 2 program, covered entity or business associate, without the patient’s written consent, to the extent the HIPAA regulations permit such disclosure.

• Share that information (but not religious affiliation), with anyone who requests it by asking for you by name.
• Share this information, including your religious affiliation, with trained members of Summa Health’s Volunteer Services who provide faith-based visits to patients who desire such visits.