Notice of Privacy Practices

This Notice describes how ABS Health may use and disclose your Protected Health Information ("PHI"), your rights regarding your PHI, and our legal duties to protect your information. Please review it carefully.

ABS Health is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your health information in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA") and applicable state privacy laws. This Notice is modeled after industry-standard HIPAA privacy practices used by telehealth providers and healthcare organizations.

Our Legal Duties

ABS Health is required by law to:

• Maintain the privacy and security of your Protected Health Information ("PHI")
• Provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices
• Notify you if a breach occurs that may compromise the privacy or security of your PHI
• Follow the terms of this Notice currently in effect
• Comply with applicable federal and state privacy regulations

We reserve the right to change this Notice at any time. Updated versions will be posted on our website at ABS Health.

What Is Protected Health Information (PHI)?

Protected Health Information ("PHI") includes individually identifiable health information created, received, maintained, or transmitted by ABS Health relating to:

• Your physical or mental health condition
• Healthcare services provided to you
• Payment for healthcare services
• Medical history
• Lab results
• Prescriptions
• Treatment plans
• Telehealth communications
• Health insurance information

PHI may exist in electronic, paper, or verbal form.

How ABS Health May Use and Disclose PHI

ABS Health may use and disclose your PHI for the following purposes:

1. Treatment

We may use and disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, and manage your healthcare and related services.

Examples include:

• Reviewing symptoms, health history, medications, and lab work
• Coordinating care with physicians, pharmacies, laboratories, or healthcare providers
• Facilitating telehealth consultations
• Recommending treatment plans or wellness services

2. Payment

We may use and disclose your PHI to obtain payment for services provided to you.

Examples include:

• Billing insurance providers or third-party payors
• Verifying eligibility or coverage
• Processing payments and healthcare claims
• Collecting outstanding balances

3. Healthcare Operations

We may use and disclose your PHI for healthcare operations necessary to run ABS Health and improve service quality.

Examples include:

• Quality improvement and patient safety activities
• Staff training and credentialing
• Business management and administrative activities
• Compliance reviews, audits, and legal obligations
• Internal performance evaluation

4. Appointment Reminders and Health Communications

We may contact you regarding:

• Appointment reminders
• Follow-up care
• Prescription updates
• Treatment alternatives
• Health-related services or products

Communications may occur through:

• Phone calls
• Email
• SMS/text messages
• Secure telehealth or patient portal systems

5. Business Associates and Service Providers

ABS Health may disclose PHI to trusted third-party vendors and business associates who perform services on our behalf, including:

• Telehealth technology providers
• Electronic medical record providers
• Payment processors
• Laboratories
• Pharmacies
• Compliance vendors
• Cloud storage or secure communication platforms

All business associates are contractually required to appropriately safeguard PHI in accordance with HIPAA.

6. Legal Requirements and Public Health Activities

We may disclose PHI when required or permitted by law, including:

• Public health reporting
• Court orders or subpoenas
• Government investigations or audits
• Law enforcement requests
• Reporting abuse, neglect, or threats to public safety
• Compliance with federal and state healthcare regulations

7. Research and De-Identified Information

ABS Health may use or disclose health information that has been de-identified in accordance with applicable law. De-identified information cannot reasonably identify you personally.

Your Rights Regarding Your PHI

You have important rights regarding your Protected Health Information.

Right to Inspect and Obtain Copies

You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your PHI maintained by ABS Health, including medical and billing records, subject to certain legal exceptions.

To request access:

• Submit a written request to our Privacy Officer using the contact information below.

We may charge a reasonable cost-based fee where permitted by law.

Right to Request Amendments

If you believe your PHI is incorrect or incomplete, you may request that ABS Health amend your records.

Requests must:

• Be submitted in writing
• Include the reason for the requested amendment

We may deny certain requests if permitted by law, but we will provide a written explanation.

Right to Request Restrictions

You may request restrictions on how your PHI is used or disclosed for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.

While ABS Health is not required to agree to all requested restrictions, we will comply when legally required to do so.

Right to Confidential Communications

You may request that ABS Health communicate with you in a specific manner or at a specific location.

Examples include:

• Contact only by email
• Mail sent to an alternate address
• Communications through secure messaging systems only

Right to an Accounting of Disclosures

You may request a list of certain disclosures of your PHI made by ABS Health during the previous six (6) years, excluding disclosures made for treatment, payment, healthcare operations, and certain other exempt purposes.

Right to Receive a Copy of This Notice

You have the right to receive a paper or electronic copy of this Notice at any time.

How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of your privacy rights, contact:

Privacy Officer
ABS Health
Website: ABS Health
Email: privacy@abs-health.com

ABS Health may require verification of your identity before processing requests related to PHI.

Filing a Complaint

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with ABS Health or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights.

ABS Health will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

To file a complaint with ABS Health, contact:

Privacy Officer
ABS Health
Email: privacy@abs-health.com
Website: ABS Health Contact Page

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights: HHS Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal.

Telehealth and Electronic Communications

ABS Health may provide healthcare services through telehealth technologies and secure electronic communications platforms.

While ABS Health uses commercially reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect PHI, electronic communications may involve inherent privacy and security risks. By using our services, you acknowledge and accept these risks to the extent permitted by law.

Changes to This Notice

ABS Health reserves the right to revise this Notice at any time. Any revised Notice will apply to all PHI maintained by ABS Health and will be posted on our website with an updated effective date.