Vikas Gupta, MD, FAPA 

Effective Date: 3/20/2025
Issued By: Wellness Psychiatry of California

Privacy Officer Phone: 424-252-3008

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW YOUR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION (PHI) MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED, AND HOW YOU CAN ACCESS THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

At Wellness Psychiatry of California, we are committed to protecting the privacy and security of your Protected Health Information (PHI). We create a record of your health care services and use it to provide quality treatment, obtain payment, and operate our practice efficiently.

This Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) describes how we may use and disclose your health information and your rights regarding this information. We are required by law to:

• Maintain the privacy of your PHI under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).
• Provide you with this notice detailing our privacy practices.
• Abide by the terms of this notice and inform you if any changes occur.

How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information

We do not sell or share your PHI for marketing or other non-healthcare-related purposes without your explicit consent. However, we may use and disclose your information for the following reasons:

1. For Treatment

• We may use and disclose your health information to provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare.
• We may share your PHI with other healthcare providers (such as specialists, pharmacists, or laboratories) involved in your treatment.

2. For Payment

• We may use and disclose your health information to bill and receive payment for the services we provide.

3. For Health Care Operations

• We may use and disclose your health information for practice operations, including:
  • Quality assessment and improvement.
  • Staff training and credentialing.
  • Compliance audits and fraud prevention.

4. For Appointment Reminders and Health-Related Information

• We may contact you to remind you of upcoming appointments or to provide you with information about treatment alternatives or health-related benefits.

5. To Comply with Legal Requirements

We may use or disclose your health information when required by law, including:

• Public health reporting: Reporting communicable diseases, medication recalls, or adverse reactions.
• Abuse or neglect: Reporting suspected child, elder, or domestic abuse.
• Judicial or administrative proceedings: Complying with a court order, subpoena, or law enforcement request.
• Health oversight activities: Complying with audits, investigations, or licensure requirements.

6. In Emergency Situations

• We may share relevant health information with family members, caregivers, or emergency personnel when necessary for your safety.

7. For National Security and Public Safety

• We may release health information to government agencies as required for national security or law enforcement.

Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

You have the following rights regarding your PHI:

1. Right to Access and Request Copies

• You may request a copy of your medical records in electronic or paper format.
• We may charge a reasonable fee for copies as permitted by law.

2. Right to Request Amendments

• If you believe that your records contain incorrect or incomplete information, you can request a correction.
• We may deny your request if we determine the record is accurate.

3. Right to Request Restrictions

• You may request restrictions on how we use or disclose your health information.
• We are not required to agree to your request unless it involves a service you paid for out-of-pocket and you request that we do not notify your insurer.

4. Right to Confidential Communications

• You may request that we communicate with you at a specific address, phone number, or email.
• We will accommodate all reasonable requests.

5. Right to an Accounting of Disclosures

• You may request a list of instances where we have shared your PHI for reasons other than treatment, payment, or operations.

6. Right to File a Complaint

• If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our Privacy Officer or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.

Changes to This Notice

• We reserve the right to revise this Notice at any time.
• The most recent version of this notice is available upon request.

Last Updated 3/20/2025