HIPAA

Notice of Privacy Practices

Effective Date: June 2026 · Last updated: June 2026

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Compadre Therapy LCSW PLLC ("we," "us," or "our") is required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and applicable New York State law to maintain the privacy of your protected health information (PHI), to provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, and to follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect.

How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information

Treatment

We may use your health information to provide, coordinate, and manage your care, and to consult with or refer you to other health care providers involved in your treatment.

Payment

We may use and disclose your health information to obtain payment for the services we provide — for example, to bill and obtain reimbursement from your health insurance plan, to verify coverage and benefits, and to obtain prior authorizations.

Health Care Operations

We may use and disclose your health information for operations such as quality assessment, staff training and supervision, scheduling, business management, and administrative activities.

Special Protections for Psychotherapy Notes and Mental Health Information

Psychotherapy notes receive special protection under HIPAA. With limited exceptions, we will not use or disclose psychotherapy notes without your written authorization. Mental health, substance use, and HIV-related information may also receive heightened protection under federal and New York State law, and additional consent may be required before such information is disclosed.

Uses and Disclosures That Require Your Written Authorization

Most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes;
Uses and disclosures for marketing purposes; and
Disclosures that constitute a sale of protected health information.

Other uses and disclosures not described in this Notice will be made only with your written authorization. You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent we have already relied on it.

Other Permitted or Required Uses and Disclosures

We may use or disclose your health information without your authorization in the following circumstances, as permitted or required by law:

When required by law (federal, state, or local);
Public health activities, such as preventing or controlling disease;
Victims of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence, consistent with legal requirements;
Health oversight activities, such as audits and investigations by oversight agencies;
Judicial and administrative proceedings, in response to a court order, subpoena, or other lawful process;
Law enforcement purposes, as permitted by law;
To avert a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of you or others;
Coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors;
Workers’ compensation, as authorized by law; and
Specialized government functions, such as military and national security activities.

As a mandated reporter, your therapist may also be required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult, and to take action where there is a serious risk of harm to you or to an identifiable other person.

Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

Right to access — inspect and obtain a copy of your records (a reasonable, cost-based fee may apply);
Right to amend — request a correction to information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete;
Right to an accounting of certain disclosures we have made;
Right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures;
Right to request confidential communications by alternative means or at an alternative location;
Right to a paper copy of this Notice upon request;
Right to be notified in the event of a breach of your unsecured health information.

To exercise any of these rights, please submit your request in writing to our Privacy Officer using the contact information below.

Our Duties

We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your health information, to provide you with this Notice, to follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect, and to notify you following a breach of unsecured protected health information. We reserve the right to change this Notice and to make the revised Notice effective for information we already have as well as information we receive in the future. The current Notice will be posted at our offices and on our website.

Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us using the contact information below, or with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Contact — Privacy Officer

Compadre Therapy LCSW PLLC
2447 St Raymonds Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461
Phone: (929) 266-7204
Email: info@compadretherapy.com

This document is provided for general informational purposes and is a starting template. Compadre Therapy LCSW PLLC should have it reviewed and finalized by qualified legal counsel before publication to ensure compliance with HIPAA, New York State law, and other applicable regulations.