Privacy Policy

PURPOSE
To encourage awareness of patient privacy rights, HOLY CROSS HOSPICE, INC.’s legal duties with respect to these rights, and the use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI).
POLICY
HOLY CROSS HOSPICE, INC. will respect and safeguard all protected health information about the patients it serves.
Each patient will be provided with information about his/her privacy rights at the time of admission to HOLY CROSS HOSPICE, INC.
To assist with fully understanding patient privacy rights and responsibilities, all policies will be available to organization personnel, patients, and their representatives, as well as to other organizations and the interested public.
PROCEDURE
1. The patient will be provided with information about his/her privacy rights in the organization’s Notice of Privacy Practices, which will be given to the patient during the admission visit. The patient’s privacy rights include:
A. A right to adequate notice of the uses and disclosures of protected health information that may be made by HOLY CROSS HOSPICE, INC. (See “Notice of Privacy Practices” Addendum 1-016.A.)
B. A right to request privacy protection for protected health information. (See “Patient Requests for Privacy Restrictions” Policy No. 1-018 and “Patient Requests for Confidential Communications” Policy No. 1-019.)
C. A right of access to inspect and retain a copy of his/her protected health information. (See “Patient Requests for Access to PHI” Policy No. 5-022.)
D. A right to request that the organization amend protected health information or a record about the individual in a designated record set for as long as the protected health information is maintained in the designated record set. (See “Patient Requests to Amend PHI” Policy No. 5-023.)
E. A right to receive an accounting of disclosures of protected health information made by HOLY CROSS HOSPICE, INC. in the six years prior to the date on which the accounting is requested. (See “Patient Requests for Accounting of PHI Disclosures” Policy No. 5-024.)
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2. HOLY CROSS HOSPICE, INC will make a good faith effort to obtain the patient’s written acknowledgement of receipt of this notice. A separate signature/initials line for this acknowledgement may be located on the consent form. If an acknowledgement cannot be obtained, the admitting clinician will document his/her efforts to obtain the acknowledgement and the reason why it was not obtained in the clinical note.
3. The notice will be promptly revised and distributed whenever there is a material change to the uses or disclosures, the individual’s rights, organization’s legal duties, or other privacy practices stated in the notice. A material change to any term of the notice will not be implemented prior to the effective date of the revised notice, unless required by law.
4. HOLY CROSS HOSPICE, INC will prominently post the notice and make the notice available through its website.
5. The patient’s legal representative may exercise the patient’s rights when a patient is incompetent or a minor.
6. When a patient has questions about his/her privacy rights, requests additional information, or would like to exercise one of these rights, he/she will be referred to the appropriate individual or office designated by HOLY CROSS HOSPICE, INC. on the Notice of Privacy Practices.
SMS Communication & Consent Policy
SMS Consent:
When you provide your phone number to HOLY CROSS HOSPICE, INC. (“we”, “us”, “our”), you consent to receive SMS (text) messages from us for purposes such as patient care updates, appointment reminders, and important notifications. We do not share your phone number or SMS consent information with third parties or affiliates for marketing purposes.
Types of SMS Communications:
Examples of messages we may send include:
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“Reminder: Your home visit with Holy Cross Hospice is scheduled for tomorrow at 2pm. Reply STOP to opt-out.”
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“Please check the updated care plan for your patient in our system. Reply STOP to opt-out.”
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“Your prescription refill is ready. Reply STOP to opt-out.”
Standard Messaging Disclosures:
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Messaging frequency may vary.
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Message and data rates may apply.
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You may opt-out at any time by replying “STOP.”
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For help, reply “HELP” or contact us at (626) 283-6588 & office@hchospice.org
How We Obtain Consent:
Consent to receive SMS messages is obtained when you complete our admission form/consent form, and or provide your phone number through our website or staff
Opt-In, Opt-Out, and Help Messaging:
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START: “Thank you for opting into SMS messages from Holy Cross Hospice. To opt-out at any time, reply STOP. For assistance text HELP. Message and data rates may apply. Messaging frequency may vary.
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STOP: “Thank you for opting out of SMS messages from Holy Cross Hospice. You will receive no further SMS communication. To opt back in, reply START.”
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HELP: “Thank you for contacting Holy Cross Hospice. We will be in touch with you soon to help. For immediate assistance, please get in touch with us at (626) 283-6588 & office@hchospice.org