HIPAA Policy

HIPAA Compliance

Downtown Dental Solvang (Robert A Brugnone, DDS, Inc.) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your protected health information (PHI) in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and its implementing regulations.

Notice of Privacy Practices

Our Notice of Privacy Practices describes how we may use and disclose your health information and explains your privacy rights. This notice is available in paper form at our office and upon request. We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your protected health information and to provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices.

Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information

We use and disclose your PHI for the following purposes:

• Treatment — to provide you with dental care and related services
• Payment — to bill and collect payment for treatment provided
• Healthcare Operations — to support the management and operations of our practice
• Legal Requirements — when required by law or court order
• Public Health — to report disease, injury, or public health hazards
• Law Enforcement — when lawfully requested by law enforcement authorities

Your Privacy Rights

You have the right to:

• Access, inspect, and copy your dental records
• Request amendments to your health information
• Request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures
• Request confidential communication of your health information
• Receive an accounting of disclosures of your PHI
• File a complaint regarding our privacy practices

Security Measures

We maintain comprehensive safeguards to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your protected health information. These include administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to prevent unauthorized access, alteration, or destruction of your health records, both in paper and electronic form.

Business Associates

We may share your health information with business associates (such as billing services, laboratories, and consultants) who assist us in providing treatment or operating our practice. All business associates are required by contract to maintain the confidentiality and security of your health information.

Questions and Complaints

If you have questions about our HIPAA policies or believe your privacy rights have been violated, please contact us:

You also have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights regarding our HIPAA practices.