We may be required or permitted to use or disclose the information even without your permission as described below:
Required by Law: We may be required by law to disclose your information, such as to report gunshot wounds, suspected abuse or neglect, or similar injuries and events.
Research: We may use or disclose information for approved medical research.
Public Health Activities: We may disclose vital statistics, diseases, information related to recalls of dangerous products, and similar information to public health authorities.
Health oversight: We may disclose information to assist in investigations and audits, eligibility for government programs, and similar activities.
Judicial and administrative proceedings: We may disclose information in response to an appropriate subpoena, discovery request or court order.
Law enforcement purposes: We may disclose information needed or requested by law enforcement officials or to report a crime on our premises.
Deaths: We may disclose information regarding deaths to coroners, medical examiners, funeral directors, and organ donation agencies.
Serious threat to health or safety: We may use and disclose information when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of the public or another person.
Military and Special Government Functions: If you are a member of the armed forces, we may release information as required by military command authorities. We may also disclose information to correctional institutions or for national security purposes.
Workers Compensation: We may release information about you for workers compensation or similar programs providing benefits for work-related injuries or illness.
Business Associates: We may disclose your health information to business associates (individuals or entities that perform functions on our behalf) provided they agree to safeguard the information.
Messages: We may contact you to provide appointment reminders or for billing or collections and may leave messages on your answering machine, voicemail or through other methods.
In any other situation, we will ask for your written authorization before using or disclosing identifiable health information about you. If you choose to sign an authorization to disclose information, you can later revoke that authorization to stop any future uses and disclosures. Subject to compliance with limited exceptions, we will not use or disclose psychotherapy notes, use or disclose your health information for marketing purposes or sell your health information, unless you have signed an authorization.