Notice of Privacy Practices

1. Treatment. We may use/disclose your private health information to assist in your medical treatment, i.e.; referring physicians, hospitals
2. Payment. We may use/disclose your private health information in order to receive reimbursement from your insurance company and/or third party payors.
3. Regular Health Care Operations.  We may use/disclose your private health information to facilitate regular operation of Steen-Hall Eye Institute.
4. Notification and communication with family.  We may disclose your health information to notify or assist in notifying a family member, your personal representative or another person responsible for your care about your location, your general condition or in the event of your death.  If you are able and available to agree or object, we will give you the opportunity to object prior to making this notification.  If you are unable or unavailable to agree or object, our health professionals will use their best judgment in communication with your family and others.
5. Deceased person information.  We may disclose your health information to coroners, medical examiners and funeral directors.
6. Organ Donation.  We may disclose your health information to organizations involved in procuring, banking or transplanting organs and tissues.
7. Research.  We may disclose your health information to researchers conducting research that has been approved by and Institutional Review Board or Steen-Hall Eye Institute privacy board.
8. Public Health Authorities and health oversight agencies that are authorized by law to collect information.
9. Lawsuits and similar proceedings in response to a court or administrative order.
10. If required to do so by law enforcement officials.
11. If you are a member of U.S. or foreign military forces (including veterans) and if required by the appropriate authorities.
12. To federal officials for intelligence and national security activities authorized by law.
13. To correctional institutions or law enforcement officials if you are an inmate or under custody of a law enforcement official.
14. For Worker’s Compensation and similar programs

1. Communications.  You can request that our practice communicate with you about your health and related issues in a particular manner or at a certain location. For instance, you may ask that we contact you at home, rather than work. We will accommodate reasonable requests.
2. You can request a restriction in our use or disclosure of your health information for treatment, payment or health care operations.  Additionally, you have the right to request that we restrict our disclosure of your health information to only certain individuals involved in your care of or the payment for your care, such as family members or friends.  We are not required to agree to your request; however, if we do agree, we are bound by our agreement except when otherwise required by law, in emergencies, or when the information is necessary to treat you.
3. You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of the health information that may be used to make decisions about you, including patient medical records and billing records but not including psychotherapy notes.  You must submit your request in writing to our office and we are legally permitted by HIPAA to charge the patient twenty-five cents ($0.25) per page.  This charge does not apply when information is requested by another physician or medical facility or is requested by insurance companies to facilitate payment of insurance benefits for charges incurred.
4. You may ask us to amend your health information if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete, as long as the information is kept by or for our practice.  To request an amendment, your request must be made in writing and submitted to our office. You must provide a reason that supports your request.
5. Right to a copy of this notice.  You are entitled to receive a copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices.  You may ask us to give you a copy of this Notice at any time.  We also reserve the right to change our Privacy Practices at any time. To obtain a copy of this notice, contact our Atrium Reception Staff.
6. Right to file a complaint.  If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our practice or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.  To file a complaint with our practice, contact :  All complaints must be in writing.

Steen-Hall Eye Institute
Attention: Terri Medaries, Chief Privacy Officer
2611 Greenwood Road
Shreveport, LA 71103

You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.
7. You have a right to receive an accounting of disclosures of your health information made by Steen-Hall Eye Institute, except that Steen-Hall Eye Institute does not have to account for disclosures described in parts 1 (treatment), 2 (payment), 3 (health care operations), 11, 12 and 13 as noted in this Notice of Privacy Practices.

If you have any questions regarding this notice or our health information privacy policies, please don't hesitate to ask any one of our staff.

This notice was published and becomes effective on April 14, 2003.