Notice of Privacy Practices

This notice applies to protected health information maintained by Life Applied in connection with services, intake, screening, treatment coordination, billing, and related operations.

Protected health information may include identifying information, service records, diagnoses or service needs, treatment notes, billing information, authorizations, referrals, communications, and other information related to care or payment for care.

This notice is written as a plain-language summary. If a federal or California privacy law provides greater protection than described here, Life Applied will follow the more protective requirement.

Life Applied is required by law to maintain the privacy and security of protected health information, provide this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, and follow the terms of the notice currently in effect.

We will let affected individuals know if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of protected health information.

Life Applied will limit uses and disclosures of protected health information to what is permitted by law, required by law, authorized by the individual or representative, or reasonably necessary for treatment, payment, and health care operations.

Treatment: We may use and share health information to provide, coordinate, or manage services, including communication among Life Applied team members, supervisors, caregivers, health care providers, regional centers, schools, and other professionals involved in care when permitted.

Payment: We may use and share health information to bill and receive payment from health plans, funding sources, or other responsible parties.

Health care operations: We may use and share health information for operations such as quality review, staff training, supervision, credentialing, compliance, case management, audits, documentation review, business administration, and service improvement.

Required by law: We may use or disclose health information when federal, state, or local law requires us to do so.

Health and Human Services: We may disclose health information to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services when necessary to demonstrate compliance with federal health privacy requirements.

Public health and safety: We may disclose information for public health activities, to prevent or control disease, to report adverse events, or to help prevent or lessen a serious threat to health or safety.

Abuse, neglect, or domestic violence: We may disclose information to appropriate authorities when reporting is required or permitted by law, including child abuse or neglect reporting obligations.

Health oversight: We may disclose information to agencies responsible for oversight, audits, investigations, inspections, licensing, certification, or compliance review.

Legal and administrative proceedings: We may disclose information in response to a court order, subpoena, discovery request, administrative order, or other lawful process when the legal requirements for disclosure are met.

Law enforcement: We may disclose information for law enforcement purposes when permitted or required by law.

Research: We may use or disclose health information for research only when the applicable legal authorization, review, waiver, or other requirements have been satisfied.

Decedents and donation: When legally permitted, we may disclose relevant information to coroners, medical examiners, funeral directors, or organ procurement organizations so they can perform their authorized duties.

Specialized government functions: When the applicable legal requirements are met, we may disclose information for authorized military, national security, protective service, correctional institution, or similar government functions.

Workers' compensation: We may disclose information as authorized by and necessary to comply with workers' compensation or similar programs.

Business associates and service providers: We may share information with vendors or service providers who perform functions for Life Applied and who are required to protect the information appropriately.

Family members, caregivers, and personal representatives: We may share relevant information with a parent, guardian, personal representative, caregiver, or other person involved in care or payment for care when permitted by law, authorized, or appropriate under the circumstances.

De-identified information: We may use or disclose information that has been de-identified according to legal requirements.

Uses and disclosures of protected health information not described in this notice will generally be made only with written authorization. If authorization is provided, it may be revoked in writing, except to the extent Life Applied has already relied on it.

Written authorization is generally required for most uses of psychotherapy notes, most marketing communications involving protected health information, and any sale of protected health information, unless an exception applies.

Life Applied does not sell protected health information.

Life Applied does not provide substance use disorder treatment. If Life Applied creates, receives, or maintains patient records protected by 42 CFR Part 2, those records receive the additional confidentiality protections required by federal law.

When Part 2 applies, those records generally may not be used or disclosed in a civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative investigation or proceeding against the individual unless the individual provides the required written consent or the disclosure is authorized by a qualifying court order and subpoena or similar legal mandate.

Access: You may request to inspect or obtain an electronic or paper copy of protected health information maintained by Life Applied, subject to legal limits and identity verification. We generally will act on an access request within 30 days and may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee where permitted by law.

Amendment: You may request that Life Applied correct health information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete. We generally will respond within 60 days. If the request is denied, we will provide a written explanation, and you may have the right to submit a written statement of disagreement.

Confidential communications: You may request that Life Applied contact you at a specific phone number, address, or method when reasonable.

Restrictions: You may request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures. Life Applied is not always required to agree, except where required by law. When applicable, if a health care item or service is paid for out of pocket in full, we will honor a request not to disclose information about that item or service to a health plan for payment or health care operations unless disclosure is required by law.

Accounting of disclosures: You may request a list of certain disclosures made during the six years before your request, subject to legal exceptions. One accounting within a 12-month period is free; a reasonable, cost-based fee may apply to additional requests after advance notice.

You may request a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you agreed to receive it electronically.

Breach notification: You have the right to be notified if Life Applied determines that a breach may have compromised unsecured protected health information.

To exercise these rights, submit a request to the Life Applied Privacy Contact using the information below. We may ask for information needed to verify identity, authority, and the scope of the request.

When services involve minors or individuals represented by a parent, guardian, or other authorized representative, Life Applied may communicate with the appropriate representative as permitted by law and applicable authorization, consent, or representative status.

A person with verified legal authority to act as a personal representative may exercise applicable privacy rights on behalf of the individual.

In some situations, federal or California law may limit what information may be shared with a representative or may give the individual specific privacy rights. Life Applied will follow applicable law.

For questions, privacy requests, or complaints, contact the Life Applied Privacy Contact at info@life-applied.com, by phone at 831-754-1603, or by mail at 911 Blanco Circle, Salinas, California 93901.

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights through its online complaint portal or by writing to Centralized Case Management Operations, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 509F HHH Building, Washington, D.C. 20201.

Life Applied will not retaliate against anyone for filing a complaint or exercising privacy rights.

Life Applied may change this notice and make the revised notice effective for health information already maintained as well as information received in the future. The current notice will be posted on this website.