Notice of Privacy Practices
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
Last Updated: February 15, 2026
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN ACCESS THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
I. OUR PLEDGE REGARDING HEALTH INFORMATION
At Everlasting Wellness LLC, we understand that your health information is personal. We are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your protected health information (“PHI”) in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), applicable Pennsylvania state law, and professional ethical standards.
We maintain records of the care and services you receive from our clinicians. This Notice applies to all PHI maintained by Everlasting Wellness LLC, whether in paper or electronic form, and describes how we may use and disclose your PHI and your rights regarding that information.
We are legally required to:
- Maintain the privacy and security of your PHI
- Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices
- Follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect
- Notify you following a breach of unsecured PHI
We reserve the right to revise this Notice at any time. Any revisions will apply to all PHI we maintain. Updated Notices will be made available in our offices and provided upon request. You may also request a copy at any time.
II. HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR PHI
We may use and disclose your PHI without your written authorization in the following ways:
1. For Treatment, Payment, and Health Care Operations:
We may use and disclose PHI to provide mental health treatment, coordinate care with other providers, bill and collect payment for services, and operate our practice. This may include consultation, supervision, quality improvement activities, and administrative functions.
2. Legal Proceedings and Law Enforcement:
We may disclose PHI in response to a valid court order, subpoena, or other lawful process, or as otherwise required by law. We make reasonable efforts to limit disclosures to the minimum necessary and to protect confidentiality when legally permitted.
III. USES AND DISCLOSURES THAT REQUIRE YOUR AUTHORIZATION
The following uses and disclosures of PHI require your written authorization unless otherwise permitted by law:
- Psychotherapy Notes: These notes receive special protection under HIPAA and Pennsylvania law and will not be disclosed without your authorization, except as permitted by law (e.g., treatment, supervision, legal defense, or as otherwise required).
- Marketing: We do not use your PHI for marketing purposes.
- Sale of PHI: We do not sell your PHI under any circumstances.
You may revoke an authorization at any time in writing, except to the extent we have already relied upon it.
IV. USES AND DISCLOSURES THAT DO NOT REQUIRE YOUR AUTHORIZATION
We may use or disclose PHI without your authorization as permitted or required by law, including:
- When required by federal, state, or local law
- To report suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
- For public health and health oversight activities
- To avert a serious threat to health or safety
- For research purposes with appropriate safeguards
- For specialized government functions (e.g., military or national security activities)
- For workers’ compensation claims
- To provide appointment reminders or information about treatment-related services
When required, we apply the minimum necessary standard to limit PHI disclosures.
V. USES AND DISCLOSURES WITH OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT
We may disclose PHI to a family member, friend, or other individual involved in your care or payment for care, unless you object. You may request restrictions or limitations on such disclosures, and we will honor reasonable requests when feasible.
VI. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
We may communicate with you by phone, voicemail, email, text message, or telehealth platforms regarding scheduling, treatment, or administrative matters. Electronic communications may involve some risk of unauthorized access. You may request alternative or more secure communication methods at any time.
VII. BUSINESS ASSOCIATES
We may share PHI with third-party service providers (such as billing services, electronic health record systems, or telehealth platforms) who assist us in operating our practice. These parties are required by law to safeguard your PHI through Business Associate Agreements.
VIII. YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR PHI
You have the following rights under HIPAA and Pennsylvania law:
- Right to Request Restrictions: You may request limits on how your PHI is used or disclosed. We are required to comply with requests to restrict disclosures to your health plan when you have paid out-of-pocket in full for a service.
- Right to Confidential Communications: You may request that we contact you in a specific way or at a specific location.
- Right to Access: You may request a copy of your clinical record. Requests will be fulfilled within the timeframes required by law and may be subject to a reasonable, cost-based fee.
- Right to Amend: You may request an amendment to your record if you believe it is inaccurate or incomplete.
- Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You may request a list of certain disclosures made over the past six years.
- Right to a Paper or Electronic Copy of This Notice: You may request a copy at any time.
IX. COMPLAINTS AND CONTACT INFORMATION
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with:
Everlasting Wellness LLC
Administrative and Compliance Coordinator
📧 Email: care@everlastingwellnesscounseling.com
📞 Phone: 484.706.9465
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Filing a complaint will not affect your care, and no retaliation will occur for filing a complaint.
X. STATE LAW
When Pennsylvania law provides greater privacy protections than federal law, Pennsylvania law will control.
XI. CONFIDENTIALITY OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RECORDS (42 CFR PART 2)
Certain records related to substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis, treatment, or referral may be protected under federal law, specifically 42 CFR Part 2 (“Part 2”). These protections may apply if we receive records from a federally assisted substance use disorder treatment program.
If we receive Part 2-protected records:
- We will use and disclose such records in accordance with HIPAA and applicable federal law.
- Part 2 records may be used or disclosed for treatment, payment, and health care operations as permitted by law.
- Part 2 records may not be used or disclosed in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings against you without your specific written consent or a court order that complies with federal law.
- Re-disclosure of Part 2 information is prohibited unless expressly permitted by federal law.
- Any breach of Part 2 information will be addressed in accordance with applicable federal breach notification requirements.
- You have the right to file a complaint regarding the handling of Part 2 information with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.