Privacy & Communications Clause Samples

Privacy & Communications. You acknowledge that communications with the Physician using e-mail, facsimile, video chat, instant messaging, and cell phone are not guaranteed to be secure or confidential methods of communications. The practice will make an effort to secure all communications via passwords and other protective means and these will be discussed in an annually updated Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) “Risk Assessment.” The practice will make an effort to promote the utilization of the most secure methods of communication, such as software platforms with data encryption, HIPAA familiarity, and a willingness to sign HIPAA Business Associate Agreements. This may mean that conversations over certain communication platforms are highlighted as preferable based on higher levels of data encryption, but many communication platforms, including email, may be made available to the patient. If the Patient initiates a conversation in which the Patient discloses “Protected Health Information (PHI)” on one or more of these communication platforms then the Patient has authorized the Practice to communicate with the Patient regarding PHI in the same format.

Privacy & Communications. Patient acknowledges that communications with Physician using e-mail, facsimile, video chat, instant messaging, and cell phone are not guaranteed to be secure or confidential methods of communications. As such, by engaging in such communications, Patient expressly waives Physician’s obligation to guarantee confidentiality with respect to correspondence using such means of communication. Patient acknowledges and agrees that all such communications may become a part of Patient’s medical record. By providing Patient’s email address on the attached Appendix 1, Patient authorizes the Practice and its contracted physicians to communicate with Patient by email regarding Patient’s “protected health information” or “PHI” (as such terms are defined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) of 1996 and its implementing regulations). By providing Patient’s email address in Appendix 1, Patient acknowledges and agrees that: (a) E-mail is not necessarily a secure medium for sending or receiving PHI and, there is always a possibility that a third party may gain access; (b) Although and Physician will make all reasonable efforts to keep e-mail communications confidential and secure, neither Practice, nor Physician can assure or guarantee the absolute confidentiality of email communications; (c) In the discretion of Physician, e-mail communications may be made a part of Patient’s permanent medical record; and, (d) Patient understands and agrees that email is not an appropriate means of communication regarding emergency or other time-sensitive issues or for inquiries regarding sensitive information. In the event of an emergency, or a situation in which Patient could reasonably expect to develop into an emergency, Patient shall call 911 or the nearest emergency room, and follow the directions of emergency personnel. If Patient does not receive a response from Practice or Physician to an e-mail message within one (1) day, Patient agrees to use another means of communication to contact Practice or Physician. Neither Practice nor Physician will be liable to Patient for any loss, cost, injury, or expense caused by, or resulting from, a delay in responding to Patient as a result of technical failures, including, but not limited to, (i) technical failures attributable to any internet service provider; (ii) power outages, failure of any electronic messaging software, or failure to properly address e-mail messages; (iii) failure of Practice’s computers or c...

Privacy & Communications. You acknowledge that communications with the Physician using e-mail, text, facsimile, video chat, instant messaging, and cell phone are not guaranteed to be secure or confidential methods of communications. The practice will make an effort to secure all communications via passwords and other protective means and these will be discussed in an annually updated Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) “Risk

Privacy & Communications. You acknowledge that communications with the Physician using e-mail, facsimile, video chat, instant messaging, and cell phone are not guaranteed to be secure or confidential methods of communications. The practice will make an effort to secure all communications via passwords and other protective means and these will be discussed in an annually updated Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) “Risk Assessment.” The practice will make an effort to promote the utilization of the most secure methods of communication, such as software platforms with data encryption, HIPAA familiarity, and a willingness to sign HIPAA Business Associate Agreements. This may mean that conversations over certain communication platforms are highlighted as preferable based on higher levels of

Privacy & Communications. You acknowledge that communications with the Physician using phone (landline and cellular), email, text, video, facsimile, and instant or direct messaging, are not guaranteed to be secure or confidential methods of communication. By signing this agreement, you consent to the use of these non-secure modes of communication. You expressly waive the Physician’s obligation to guarantee confidentiality with respect to correspondence using such means of communication. You acknowledge that all such communications may become a part of your medical records. (a) Phone, email, text, video, and instant or direct messaging is not necessarily a secure medium for sending or receiving PHI and, there is always a possibility that a third party may gain access; (b) Although the Practice and the Physician will make all reasonable efforts to keep communications confidential and secure, neither Practice, nor the Physician can assure or guarantee the absolute confidentiality of any communications; (c) At the discretion of the Physician, phone, email, text, video, and instant or direct messaging communications may be made a part of Patient’s permanent medical record; and, (d) Patient understands and agrees that email, text, video, and instant or direct messaging is not an appropriate means of communication regarding emergency or other time-sensitive issues or for inquiries regarding sensitive information. In the event of an emergency, or a situation in which the Patient could reasonably expect to develop into an emergency, Patient shall call 911 or the nearest Emergency room, and follow the directions of emergency personnel. If Patient does not receive a response to a voice message, email, text, or instant or direct message within one day, Patient agrees to use another means of communication to contact the Physician. Neither Practice, nor the Physician will be liable to Patient for any loss, cost, injury, or expense caused by, or resulting from, a delay in responding to Patient as a result of technical failures, including, but not limited to, (i) technical failures attributable to any internet service provider, (ii) power outages, failure of any electronic messaging software, or failure to properly address email messages, (iii) failure of the Practice’s computers or computer network, or faulty telephone or cable data transmission, (iv) any interception of communications by a third party; or (v) your failure to comply with the guidelines regarding use of email, text, video, and ins...

Privacy & Communications. You acknowledge that communications with the Physician using e- mail, facsimile, video chat, instant messaging, and cell phone are not guaranteed to be secure or confidential methods of communications. The practice will make an effort to secure all communications via passwords and other protective means and these will be discussed in an annually updated Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) “Risk Assessment.” The practice will make an effort to promote the utilization of the most secure methods of communication, such as software platforms with data encryption, HIPAA familiarity, and a willingness to sign HIPAA Business Associate Agreements. This may mean that conversations over certain communication platforms are highlighted as preferable based on higher levels of data encryption, but many communication platforms, including email, may be made available to the patient. If the Patient initiates a conversation in which the Patient discloses “Protected Health Information (PHI)” on one or more of these communication platforms then the Patient has authorized the Practice to communicate with the Patient regarding PHI in the same format. Patient acknowledges that all communications may become a part of Patient’s permanent medical record. Patient understands and agrees that e-mail is not an appropriate means of communication in an emergency or for time sensitive problems. In an emergency, or a situation that Patient could reasonable expect to develop into an emergency, Patient understands and agrees to call 911 or the nearest emergency room, and follow the directions of emergency personnel.

Privacy & Communications. You acknowledge that communications with the Providers using e-mail, facsimile, video chat, instant messaging, and cell phone are not guaranteed to be secure or confidential methods of communications. The Practice will make an effort to secure all communications via passwords and other protective means as recommended by standard HIPAA regulations and practices. The Practice will make an effort to promote the utilization of the most secure methods of communication, such as software platforms with data encryption, HIPAA familiarity, and a willingness to sign HIPAA Business Associate Agreements. This may mean that

Privacy & Communications. You acknowledge that communications with the Physician using e- mail, facsimile, video chat, instant messaging, and cell phone are not guaranteed to be secure or confidential methods of communications. The Practice and the Physician will make an effort to secure all communications via passwords and other protective means and these will be discussed in an annually updated Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) “Risk Assessment.” The Practice will make an effort to promote the utilization of the most secure methods of communication, such as software platforms with data encryption, HIPAA familiarity, and a willingness to sign HIPAA Business Associate Agreements. This may mean that conversations over certain communication platforms are highlighted as preferable based on higher levels of data encryption, but many communication platforms, including email, may be made available to the

Privacy & Communications. You acknowledge that communications with the Physician using e-mail, facsimile, video chat, instant messaging, and cell phone are not guaranteed to be secure or confidential methods of communications. The Practice will make an effort to secure all communications via passwords and other protective means and these will be discussed in an annually updated Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) “Risk Assessment.” The practice will make an effort to promote the utilization of the most secure methods of communication, such as sojware platforms with data encryption, HIPAA familiarity, and a willingness to sign HIPAA Business Associate Agreements. This may mean that conversations over certain communication platforms are highlighted as preferable based on higher levels of data encryption, but many communication platforms, including email, may be made available to the patient. If the Patient initiates a conversation in which the Patient discloses “Protected Health Information (PHI)” on one or more of these communication platforms then the Patient has authorized the Practice to communicate with the Patient regarding PHI in the same format.