If you are a past, current, or future patient of Lynch EMS, please carefully review the information below. This Notice of Privacy Practices explains how medical information about you may be used and disclosed, and how you can access this information.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any aspect of the service you or a loved one have received, please visit our Contact Us page to reach the appropriate department.

If you have a privacy concern, please contact our Compliance Officer at compliance@lynch-ems.com.

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.

Our Legal Duties

Lynch EMS is required by law to maintain the privacy of certain confidential health care information, known as Protected Health Information (PHI), and to provide you with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your PHI. Lynch EMS is also required to comply with the terms of this Notice currently in effect.

PHI includes information that identifies you and relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health condition, the health care services provided to you, or payment for those services.

Uses and Disclosures of PHI

Lynch EMS may use and disclose PHI for treatment, payment, and health care operations, in most cases without your written authorization.

• For Treatment: We may use and disclose PHI to provide medical care and services to you. This includes obtaining information about your condition from you and others involved in your care, such as physicians, nurses, hospitals, or dispatch centers. PHI may be communicated by radio, telephone, electronic systems, or written documentation as necessary to coordinate your care.
• For Payment: We may use and disclose PHI to obtain payment for services provided to you. This may include billing insurance companies, determining medical necessity, verifying coverage, and collecting outstanding balances.
• For Health Care Operations: We may use PHI for operational purposes, including quality improvement activities, training, licensing, accreditation, auditing, compliance, and administrative functions necessary to operate our organization.

Appointment Reminders and Service Information

We may contact you to provide reminders for scheduled non-emergency medical transportation or to provide information about services offered by Lynch EMS.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Information – 42 C.F.R. Part 2

Lynch EMS may receive or maintain substance use disorder (“SUD”) treatment records that originate from certain programs or activities related to substance abuse education, prevention, training, treatment, rehabilitation, or research that are protected under federal law, including 42 C.F.R. Part 2 (“Part 2 Program”).

If we receive or maintain Part 2 Program records pursuant to a general written consent authorizing their use or disclosure for treatment, payment, or health care operations, we may use and disclose those records as permitted by this Notice and applicable law, subject to the same rights, restrictions, and safeguards that apply to other PHI.

If we receive or maintain Part 2 Program records pursuant to a specific written consent, we will use and disclose those records only to the extent expressly permitted by that consent, unless otherwise required or permitted by law.

Any SUD-related protected health information that is disclosed may be subject to redisclosure and may no longer be protected by federal privacy regulations, including 42 C.F.R. Part 2.

Part 2 Program records may not be used or disclosed to investigate or prosecute you, or to support any civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceeding against you, unless expressly authorized by your written consent or permitted by a court order issued after notice to you and an opportunity to be heard, as required by law.

California law also provides additional protections for certain mental health and substance use disorder treatment information, which will be used or disclosed only as permitted by applicable state and federal law.

Uses and Disclosures Without Your Authorization

Lynch EMS may use or disclose PHI without your written authorization when permitted or required by law, including:

• For treatment, payment, or health care operations of another health care provider involved in your care
• For health oversight activities such as audits, investigations, inspections, and licensing
• To family members, relatives, close friends, or others involved in your care when permitted or when you do not object
• For public health activities as required by law (such as reporting abuse, neglect, or domestic violence)
• For judicial or administrative proceedings as required by court or administrative order
• For limited law enforcement purposes
• For military, national security, or other government functions
• To prevent a serious threat to your health or safety or the safety of others
• For workers’ compensation purposes
• For organ donation and transplantation
• For approved research activities
• In a de-identified manner that does not identify you personally

Any other use or disclosure of PHI not described in this Notice will be made only with your written authorization, which you may revoke in writing, except where action has already been taken in reliance on that authorization.

Your Rights Regarding Your PHI

You have the right to:

• Access and Copies: Inspect and obtain a copy of your PHI, subject to certain legal limitations. Access will be provided within the timeframes required by applicable federal and California law. Reasonable fees may apply as permitted by law.
• Amendments: Request that we amend PHI we maintain about you. We may deny requests as permitted by law and will notify you in writing of any denial and your appeal rights.
• Accounting of Disclosures: Request an accounting of certain disclosures of your PHI made in the six years prior to your request. Disclosures for treatment, payment, health care operations, or those authorized by you are not required to be included.
• Restrictions: Request restrictions on how your PHI is used or disclosed. Lynch EMS is not required to agree to all requests, but any agreed-upon restriction will be honored.
• Confidential Communications: Request that communications regarding your PHI be made in a specific manner or location. Requests should be directed to the Privacy Officer listed below.

Electronic Communications and Copies

If Lynch EMS maintains a website, this Notice will be posted online. You may request a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you previously agreed to receive it electronically.

Changes to This Notice

Lynch EMS reserves the right to change this Notice at any time. Changes will apply to all PHI we maintain and will be posted promptly. You may obtain the most current version by contacting the Privacy Officer.

Complaints

You may file a complaint with Lynch EMS or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.

State Law Protections

In addition to federal privacy laws, your health information is protected by California law, including the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA) and laws governing mental health and substance use disorder records. Where California law provides greater privacy protections or limits disclosures more strictly than federal law, Lynch EMS will comply with California law.

Privacy Officer Contact Information

Lynch EMS
Privacy / Compliance Officer
2950 E. La Jolla St
Anaheim, CA 92806

714-632-0225

compliance@lynch-ems.com