Privacy Policy and HIPPA Information
This notice describes how your health information may be used and disclosed and how you can access this information. Please read it carefully.
Your Protected Health Information (PHI)
As a healthcare provider, Miranda Byrd, IBCLC, is committed to protecting your privacy. “Protected Health Information” (PHI) includes information that identifies you and relates to your health care or payment for that care
How Your PHI May Be Used or Disclosed
Your information may be used or disclosed for the following reasons:
- Treatment: To coordinate care with your or your baby's healthcare provider(s).
- Payment: To obtain payment or authorization from insurance providers via The Lactation Network.
- Healthcare Operations: For internal operations such as quality improvement, case reviews, and administrative activities.
- Required by Law: When required by federal, state, or local laws (e.g., public health reporting).
Client Rights Regarding PHI
You have the right to:
- Access your records: You may request copies of your consultation records.
- Request restrictions: You may ask that we not share certain information. While we will try to honor these requests, we are not legally required to do so.
- Request confidential communication: You may ask to be contacted in specific ways (e.g., only via secure messaging).
- Request corrections: You may request amendments to your health information if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete.
- Receive an accounting of disclosures: You can ask who has received your PHI outside of treatment, payment, or operations.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact Miranda Byrd in writing.
HIPAA-Compliant Communication
Miranda Byrd offers HIPAA-compliant forms of communication for all client interactions. These include Miranda’s business email, the TLN client portal, and the business phone number.
If you choose to communicate via non-secure methods, you acknowledge that these methods are not guaranteed to be secure. Miranda Byrd will take all reasonable precautions to protect your information, but you accept the associated risks and release Breastfeeding ICU from responsibility for privacy breaches via these channels.
Third Parties and Confidentiality
If you include other people in your consultation (virtually or in person), or in your communication threads (via email or text), they will have access to your PHI. Miranda Byrd is not responsible for any breach of confidentiality caused by individuals you invite or include.
Changes to this Notice
This privacy policy may be updated occasionally. You will be notified of any significant changes, and the most current version will always be available on the website Breastfeeding.ICU.
Questions or Complaints
If you have questions or believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may contact Miranda Byrd directly or file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You will not face retaliation for filing a complaint.
