Simple Primary Care: Notice of Privacy Practices

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Our Commitment to Your Privacy
At Simple Primary Care, LLC, we understand that your medical information is personal. We are committed to protecting your health information and upholding your rights under federal and state laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

This Notice explains how we may use or disclose your Protected Health Information (PHI) to provide treatment, obtain payment, and conduct healthcare operations. It also describes your rights and how you can exercise them.

How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information

1. Treatment
We may use or share your PHI with healthcare professionals involved in your care. This includes physicians, nurse practitioners, specialists, pharmacists, lab personnel, and others assisting in your treatment or coordination of care.

Virtual Scribe Notice: To ensure timely and accurate documentation, Simple Primary Care may use a HIPAA-compliant virtual scribe. The scribe listens securely to your visit for the sole purpose of entering clinical notes. They do not participate in your care and are bound by strict confidentiality agreements.

2. Payment
We may use or disclose your PHI to obtain payment for the services we provide. This includes billing your insurance plan, coordinating benefits, or processing prior authorizations.

3. Healthcare Operations
We may use or disclose your PHI for business operations such as quality improvement, staff training, case reviews, credentialing, internal audits, and customer service.

Other Situations Where We May Disclose Your PHI Without Authorization
We may share your health information without your written permission in the following circumstances:

• As required by law
• For public health activities
• To report abuse or neglect
• To health oversight agencies
• In connection with lawsuits or legal proceedings
• To law enforcement when required
• To medical examiners, coroners, and funeral directors
• For organ and tissue donation purposes
• For approved research (with safeguards)
• To prevent serious threats to health or safety
• For military, national security, or correctional facility needs
• For worker’s compensation claims

Telehealth and Electronic Communication
Simple Primary Care offers telehealth services for your convenience. When you participate in a telehealth visit or communicate with us via phone, email, or text:

• We use secure, HIPAA-compliant platforms and technologies
• You are encouraged to join from a private space using a secure device
• You may decline electronic communication and request in-person care at any time

Text Messaging and Appointment Reminders
With your permission, we may use text messaging (SMS) to:

• Confirm or reschedule appointments
• Provide brief instructions related to care (e.g., fasting reminders, lab follow-up)
• Notify you about administrative changes (e.g., clinic closures)
   

You may opt out at any time by replying STOP. Message frequency may vary. Standard message and data rates may apply.
We do not share or sell your phone number or personal data for marketing purposes.

Disclosures Requiring Authorization
We will obtain your written authorization before sharing your PHI for purposes not described in this notice. You may revoke this authorization at any time in writing.

Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
You have the right to:

• Inspect and receive copies of your medical records
• Request corrections to your records
• Request a list of disclosures made outside of treatment, payment, or operations
• Request restrictions on how we use or share your PHI (subject to approval)
• Request confidential communication (e.g., phone only, alternate address)
• Receive a printed copy of this notice at any time
   

Minors and Legal Guardianship
A parent or legal guardian must provide consent for care of minors. In some cases, minors may have additional privacy rights related to certain services as permitted by Illinois law. We will explain how those protections apply if needed.

Changes to This Notice
We may revise this notice at any time. Updates will apply to all records we maintain and will be posted on our website and available at our clinic.

Contact Us or File a Complaint
If you have questions about this Notice or believe your privacy rights have been violated, please contact:

Privacy Officer: Uzma Shamsi, FNP-C
Phone: (630) 755-5881
Email: info@simplepcp.com

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint.