Privacy policy
Purpose of This Notice
This Notice of Privacy Practices explains how we protect, use, and disclose your medical information as required by federal law (HIPAA) and applicable state law. It also outlines your rights concerning your medical information.
Because the State of Texas provides certain additional protections for patient confidentiality, this Notice reflects those enhanced protections. If any other applicable state privacy laws provide greater protections or patient rights than federal law, our Notice will reflect those requirements.
We distribute this Notice no later than the date of your first service delivery—including electronic services—and it remains available at our service locations and upon request. If this Notice is revised, we will make updated versions available on or after the effective revision date and provide copies to new patients.
Our Legal Duty
We are required by federal and state laws to:
Maintain the privacy of your medical information.
Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices.
Follow the privacy practices outlined in this Notice while it is in effect.
We may revise our privacy practices at any time as permitted by law. Any changes will apply to all medical information we maintain, including information created or received before the changes were made. Updated Notices will be made available upon request.
You may request a copy of this Notice at any time using the contact information at the end of this page.
How We Use and Disclose Your Medical Information
We use and disclose your medical information for treatment, payment, and health care operations.
1. Treatment
We may use or disclose your medical information to health care providers involved in your care.
2. Payment
We may use or disclose your medical information to obtain payment for services.
Some disclosures—particularly from mental health treatment records—may require your written permission.
3. Health Care Operations
We may use or disclose medical information for administrative, operational, and quality-improvement purposes, including:
Quality assessment and improvement
Credentialing, licensing, and provider evaluations
Training programs
Medical review, legal services, and auditing
Business planning and administrative activities
Creating de-identified information or limited data sets
Some disclosures for operations may require your written authorization, especially those involving mental health treatment records.
Other Uses and Disclosures
On Your Authorization
We will not use or disclose your medical information for purposes not described in this Notice unless you authorize us in writing. You may revoke your authorization at any time in writing.
To Family and Friends
With your written permission, we may share information with individuals involved in your care or payment for care.
In emergencies or when you are incapacitated, we may use professional judgment to make disclosures in your best interest.
Mental health treatment records will not be disclosed without written permission, unless required by law.
Health-Related Services
We may contact you with information about benefits, services, or treatment alternatives. With your permission, we may use business associates to assist with these communications.
Public Benefit Uses and Disclosures
We may disclose information as authorized or required by law for purposes including:
Public health reporting
Child abuse or neglect reporting
Adult abuse or neglect reporting
Health oversight activities
Court orders or legal processes
Law enforcement purposes
Coroners and medical examiners
Organ donation organizations
Preventing serious and imminent threats
Approved research activities
Military, national security, and intelligence activities
Correctional institution needs
Workers’ compensation programs
Some disclosures—particularly those involving confidential medical or mental health records—require your written permission unless otherwise required by law.
Disaster Relief
We may disclose your name and location to authorized disaster-relief organizations. Confidential medical or mental health information will not be disclosed without written permission unless required by law.
Your Rights Regarding Your Medical Information
1. Access
You may view or obtain copies of your medical information, with limited exceptions.
Alternate formats may be available upon request.
A cost-based fee may apply (e.g., copying, postage, preparation of summaries).
2. Disclosure Accounting
You may request a list of disclosures made during the previous six years, excluding those made for treatment, payment, operations, or disclosures authorized by you.
Additional requests within a 12-month period may incur a reasonable cost-based fee.
3. Restrictions
You may request additional restrictions on how we use or disclose your information.
We are not required to agree, but if we do, we will honor the agreement unless required in an emergency.
4. Confidential Communications
You may request contact by alternative means or at alternative locations if disclosure could endanger you. Reasonable requests will be accommodated.
5. Amendment
You may request that we amend your medical information.
Requests must be in writing.
If denied, you may submit a statement of disagreement to be included in your record.
Questions or Complaints
If you have concerns about our privacy practices or believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may contact us using the information below. You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Contact Office
Pathway Counseling Services
994 Village Square Dr., Building 6, Condo L
Tomball, TX 77375
Phone: 281-205-1355
Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council
The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council investigates professional misconduct by licensed behavioral health professionals.
Address:
George H.W. Bush State Office Building
1801 Congress Ave., Suite 7.300
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: 1-800-821-3205
Good Faith Estimate & Billing Disputes
If you receive a bill more than $400 higher than your Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the charge.
You may:
Contact Pathway Counseling Services to discuss the discrepancy, and/or
Begin a dispute resolution process with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
You must file the dispute within 120 days of receiving the bill.
Start the process at: www.cms.gov/nosurprises
HHS Phone: 877-696-6775