Notice of Psychotherapist Policies & Practices: THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
Our Duty to Protect Your Protected Health Information (PHI)
State and federal law (HIPAA) require me to maintain the privacy of your Protected Health Information (PHI) and to provide you with this Notice of legal duties and privacy practices. Innovations In Counseling is committed to protecting your clinical and health records across all electronic, paper, and oral communications.
Uses and Disclosures for Treatment, Payment & Healthcare Operations
I may use or disclose your PHI for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations with your consent:
Treatment: Providing, coordinating, or managing your health care with other health professionals (e.g., consulting with your primary care physician or functional medicine provider with authorization) only with your written permission.
Payment: Billing and collecting payment for services rendered. Innovations In Counseling operates as a private-pay practice. PHI is shared with third parties only when processing authorized payment transactions.
Healthcare Operations: Quality assessment, administrative audits, compliance, and clinical HIPPA Compliant software management supporting practice operations.
Disclosures Requiring Written Authorization
Strict Release of Information (ROI) Policy:
Except for mandatory legal exceptions, no information about your care will be shared with outside individuals, family members, or healthcare providers without a signed, written Release of Information (ROI) detailing specific disclosures. Psychotherapy notes are maintained with enhanced privacy protections above general clinical records. You may revoke a written authorization at any time in writing.
Uses and Disclosures Without Consent or Authorization
The law permits or mandates disclosure of PHI without your written consent under specific circumstances:
Child Abuse or Neglect: Mandatory reporting of known or suspected abuse, neglect, or abandonment of a child to state protective services (e.g., Florida Department of Children and Families or South Carolina Department of Social Services).
Vulnerable Adult Abuse: Mandatory reporting of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an elderly or disabled adult to the central hotline.
Health Oversight & Licensing Audits: Compliance with investigations or subpoenas issued by regulatory licensing boards (e.g., Florida Department of Health or South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners).
Judicial Proceedings: In response to valid court orders or subpoenas legally issued by a judge.
Serious Threat to Health or Safety: Communicating relevant disclosures to protect you or an identifiable victim from imminent, serious physical harm.
Client Privacy Rights
You maintain the following statutory rights regarding your health records:
Right to Request Restrictions: Request limits on specific PHI uses or disclosures.
Right to Confidential Communications: Request contact via specific phone numbers, mailing addresses, or secure digital channels.
Right to Inspect & Copy: Inspect or obtain electronic or paper copies of your clinical and billing records.
Right to Amend: Request written corrections or additions to your record if you believe information is incomplete or inaccurate.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: Request a record of non-routine disclosures made outside of treatment/billing.
Electronic Communications & Portal Security
Standard email and SMS texting are unencrypted channels. To safeguard PHI, clients are asked to transmit sensitive documents and communications through the secure SendSafe® web gateway (https://sendsafe.to/carey@innovationsincounseling.org). Telehealth appointments are hosted on encrypted, HIPAA-compliant platforms.
Legacy Insurance Based Clients
Important Notice Regarding Insurance Billing & Confidentiality
To process insurance claims and seek reimbursement on your behalf for our therapy sessions, Innovations In Counseling is required by your insurance carrier to submit specific Protected Health Information (PHI). This includes administrative details (such as your name, date of birth, and dates of service), diagnostic CPT/ICD codes, and, if requested during a routine utilization review or audit, clinical documentation or progress notes.
Please note that while our practice maintains strict confidentiality under state and federal law, once information is submitted to your insurance provider, its protection falls under your insurance plan’s privacy policies. By utilizing your insurance benefits for care, you authorize Innovations In Counseling to disclose the necessary clinical and billing information to your insurance company for claims processing and reimbursement purposes.
Complaints & Contact Information
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, please contact Carey Sempert, LMHC directly. You may also file a formal written complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (200 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20201 | 1-870-696-6775 | www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/). There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint.