HIPAA Notice of
Privacy Practices (NPP)

Effective Date: July 1, 2026

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THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

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Lighthouse Counseling Associates is required by federal and state law to maintain the privacy of your Protected Health Information (PHI) and to provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices. We are required to abide by the terms of this notice currently in effect.

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How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information

We may use and share your health information for the following clinical and administrative purposes without your explicit written authorization:

• For Treatment: We can use your health information and share it with other professionals who are treating you. Example: A clinician at our practice may discuss your care with another clinician within the practice to coordinate your treatment plan.

• For Healthcare Operations: We can use and share your health information to run our practice, improve your care, and contact you when necessary. Example: We use health information about you to manage your appointment schedules or review our clinical treatment outcomes.

• For Payment/Billing: We can use and share your health information to bill and coordinate payment from health insurance plans or other entities. Example: We send data about your clinical sessions to Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, or Neighborhood Health Plan of RI so they will pay for your counseling session

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2. Other Permitted Uses and Disclosures Without Your Consent

We are allowed or required by law to share your information in other ways that contribute to the public good or safety, provided we meet specific strict legal conditions:

• Reporting Abuse or Neglect: As mandated reporters in Rhode Island, we are required by law to report suspected child abuse or neglect, or abuse of vulnerable/elderly adults.

• Averting a Serious Threat to Health or Safety: We may disclose your PHI if necessary to prevent a serious, imminent threat to your health and safety or the safety of another specific person.

• Lawsuits and Legal Actions: We may share health information about you in response to a valid court or administrative order, or in response to a legally binding subpoena.

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3. Disclosures That Require Your Explicit Written Authorization

For any purpose not listed above, we must obtain your signed, written authorization. You have the right to revoke this authorization at any time in writing. Specific examples include:

• Marketing & Sale of Data: We will never sell your information or use it for third-party marketing purposes.

• Psychotherapy Notes: Most uses and disclosures of detailed psychotherapy notes require your explicit authorization.

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4. Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

When it comes to your health information, you have the following rights:

• Get an Electronic or Paper Copy of Your Record: You can ask to see or get a paper or electronic copy of your medical record and other health information we have about you. We will provide a copy or a summary of your record, usually within 30 days of your request. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.

• Ask Us to Correct Your Medical Record: You can ask us to correct health information about you that you think is incorrect or incomplete. We may say "no" to your request, but we will tell you why in writing within 60 days.

• Request Confidential Communications: You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example, home or office phone) or to send mail to a different address. We will accommodate all reasonable requests.

• Ask Us to Limit What We Use or Share: You can ask us not to use or share certain health information for treatment, payment, or our operations. We are not required to agree to your request, and we may say "no" if it would affect your emergency care.

• Get a List of Those With Whom We’ve Shared Information: You can ask for a list (accounting) of the times we’ve shared your health information for up to six years prior to the date you ask, who we shared it with, and why.

• Get a Copy of This Privacy Notice: You can ask for a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive the notice electronically.

• Right to Notification of a Breach: You have the right to be notified promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your unsecured PHI.

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5. File a Complaint If You Feel Your Rights Are Violated

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can file a formal complaint with us by contacting our Privacy Officer at the phone number below. You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Contact Information:Lighthouse Counseling Associates

Attn: Privacy Officer

Phone: (401) 389-1240

Address: 3047 E Main Rd, Suite 4, Portsmouth, RI 02871