HIPAA Policy

Introduction

Serenity Empire Senior Living (“Serenity Empire” or “we”) is committed to safeguarding the privacy and security of Protected Health Information (PHI) in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), Georgia state privacy laws, and other applicable regulations. This policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your PHI while delivering high-quality care.

Scope

This policy applies to all Serenity Empire employees, contractors, volunteers, and business associates who handle PHI. It covers all forms of PHI, including written, electronic, and oral communications, collected or maintained in connection with our services.

What is Protected Health Information (PHI)?

PHI includes any information about an individual’s health status, provision of healthcare, or payment for healthcare that can be linked to an identifiable individual. Examples include:

Names
Addresses
Social Security numbers
Medical records
Payment and insurance details

How We Use and Disclose PHI

We use and disclose PHI for purposes permitted under HIPAA, including:

Treatment: Sharing information with healthcare providers to ensure proper care.
Payment: Using PHI to process payments, insurance claims, or billing inquiries.
Healthcare Operations: Activities such as staff training, quality improvement, and compliance monitoring.
Legal Requirements: Disclosures as required by law, such as public health reporting, judicial orders, or law enforcement requests.

We may also disclose PHI to:

Family members or caregivers involved in your care (with your authorization or as permitted by law).
Business associates contracted to perform specific services, provided they comply with our data protection standards.

Your Rights Under HIPAA

As a resident or client of Serenity Empire, you have the following rights concerning your PHI:

Right to Access: You may request a copy of your PHI in electronic or paper format.
Right to Amend: If you believe your PHI is incorrect or incomplete, you may request amendments.
Right to Restrict: You can request restrictions on how your PHI is used or disclosed.
Right to Confidential Communications: You may request that we communicate with you using alternative methods or at specific locations.
Right to Accounting of Disclosures: You may request a record of how your PHI has been shared, excluding disclosures for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
Right to File a Complaint: If you believe your rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with Serenity Empire or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the details in the “Contact Information” section.

Data Security Measures

We implement stringent safeguards to protect PHI, including:

Secure storage and transmission of data using encryption.
Role-based access controls to ensure only authorized personnel handle PHI.
Regular audits and staff training on HIPAA compliance.
Incident response procedures for addressing data breaches or unauthorized access.

Retention of PHI

PHI is retained only as long as necessary to fulfill its intended purpose or comply with legal and regulatory requirements. When no longer needed, PHI is securely destroyed in compliance with applicable laws and standards.

Policy Updates

We may update this policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The most current version will always be available on our website, and any significant updates will be communicated to our residents

Contact Information

If you have questions about this policy, wish to exercise your rights, or need to report a concern, please contact

Email: care@serenityempire.com
Phone:770-819-6777

You may also file a complaint directly with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights at www.hhs.gov/ocr.

Grievance Redressal

If you have concerns about our data handling practices or believe your rights under HIPAA have been violated, please contact our Grievance Officer. We are committed to addressing and resolving all grievances promptly and fairly.

By using Serenity Empire’s services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the terms outlined in this Georgia HIPAA Privacy Policy.