Notice of Privacy Practices
This Notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed, and how you can access this information. Please review it carefully.
Our Commitment to Your Privacy
Southern Medical Group, LLC (“SMG,” “we,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy of your health information. We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your protected health information (“PHI”), provide you with this Notice, and follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect.
How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information
We may use or disclose your PHI for the following purposes without your written permission:
Treatment
We may use and share your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare. For example, we may share information with specialists, laboratories, or pharmacies involved in your care.
Payment
We may use and disclose your PHI to bill and receive payment for the healthcare services we provide. For example, we may send information to your insurance company to verify coverage or request payment.
Healthcare Operations
We may use and disclose your PHI for healthcare operations, such as quality assessment, staff training, accreditation, and business management.
Other Uses and Disclosures Permitted or Required by Law
We may also use or disclose your PHI without your authorization in situations such as:
Public Health: Reporting diseases, injuries, or vital events.
Health Oversight: Compliance audits, investigations, or inspections.
Legal Proceedings: Responding to court orders, subpoenas, or law enforcement requests.
Research: Conducting approved medical research under certain conditions.
Serious Threats to Health or Safety: Preventing or reducing harm to you or others.
Military/Veterans and National Security: As required for national security or military purposes.
Workers’ Compensation: To comply with workers’ compensation laws.
Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization
In most cases, we must obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your PHI for:
Marketing purposes
Sale of your PHI
Use of psychotherapy notes
You may revoke your authorization at any time in writing.
Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
You have the following rights regarding your PHI:
Right to Access: You can request to inspect or receive a copy of your medical records.
Right to Amend: You can request corrections to your records if you believe they are inaccurate.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You can request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your PHI.
Right to Request Restrictions: You may ask us to limit the use or disclosure of your PHI. We are not required to agree, but if we do, we will comply.
Right to Confidential Communications: You can request that we contact you in a specific way (e.g., at work instead of home).
Right to a Paper Copy: You may request a paper copy of this Notice, even if you agreed to receive it electronically.
Right to Receive Breach Notification: You will be notified if your unsecured PHI is compromised.
Our Responsibilities
We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your PHI.
We will notify you promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
We will not use or share your PHI for purposes other than those described in this Notice without your written authorization.
Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to change this Notice at any time. Revised Notices will be posted in our office and on our website and will apply to all PHI we maintain.
Contact Information
If you have questions, would like to exercise your rights, or file a complaint, please contact:
Privacy Officer
Southern Medical Group, LLC
501East Long Street, Claxton, GA 30417
Phone: 912-739-3354
Email: infor@smgllc.org
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.