Our Wellness Community (OWC) and its affiliated nonprofit, Take Care Health & Wellness, provide integrative, holistic health care services in Oak Cliff, Dallas, Texas. OWC operates as a practitioner collective — each independent provider within our space runs their own business — and this Notice applies to OWC as the organizing entity and to health information shared across its associated professionals in the course of coordinating your care.

As a HIPAA-covered entity, we are required by federal law to maintain the privacy of your protected health information and to provide you with this Notice.

When you receive care at OWC, we create and maintain records about your health and the services you receive. These are called protected health information (PHI) and are protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Some types of information carry additional, stronger protections under federal or state law, including:

• Substance use disorder (SUD) treatment records — governed by 42 CFR Part 2

• Mental health records

• HIV/AIDS-related information

• Genetic information

We will abide by all special protections that apply to your records.

For Your Care

We may use and share your health information to provide, coordinate, and manage your care. For example, your chiropractor may share relevant information with another OWC provider — such as a massage therapist, acupuncturist, or Reiki practitioner — to support your overall wellness plan.

For Payment

We may use your information to process your bill or to seek payment from your health plan or insurance carrier.

For Health Care Operations

We may use your information for internal quality review, staff training, and practice administration activities that help us run OWC effectively.

As Required by Law

We may disclose your information when required by federal, state, or local law — for example, to public health authorities, to law enforcement when required by court order, or to prevent a serious threat to health or safety.

With Your Written Authorization

For any other use or disclosure not described in this Notice, we will ask for your written authorization first. You may revoke any authorization you have given us at any time, in writing. Revocation will not affect actions already taken in reliance on your authorization.

FEDERAL LAW — 42 CFR PART 2

Any information related to substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis, treatment, or referral is protected by a separate, stronger federal law. These protections go beyond standard HIPAA and apply even to providers directly involved in your care.

If you have shared — or may share — information with us about alcohol or drug use, SUD diagnosis or treatment history, or referral for SUD services, the following rules apply:

Written Consent Required — Even for Routine Care

Unlike most health information, your SUD-related records may not be shared with other providers — including those coordinating your care at OWC — without your specific, written consent, except in a medical emergency. We will ask you to sign a separate consent before sharing this type of information.

Protection in Legal Proceedings

Your SUD records may not be used against you in any civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceeding without your written consent or a court order that meets specific federal requirements. This protection is stronger than what applies to your other health records.

Notice Accompanies Every Disclosure

When your SUD-related records are shared under your consent, each disclosure must include a written statement that the records are federally protected and may not be re-disclosed without your further authorization.

Fundraising Opt-Out

If we ever contact you with fundraising communications on behalf of Take Care Health & Wellness or OWC, you have the right to opt out at any time. Instructions will be included in any fundraising communication we send.

Breach Notification

If there is a breach of your unsecured SUD-related records, we are required to notify you, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and in some cases the media — consistent with the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule.

You have the following rights regarding your health information. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us in writing at the address below.

Access Your Records

You may inspect and request a copy of your health information. We will respond within 30 days.

Request Corrections

If you believe your records are inaccurate or incomplete, you may request an amendment. We will respond in writing.

Accounting of Disclosures

You may request a list of certain disclosures we've made of your health information over the past six years.

Request Restrictions

You may ask us to limit how we use or share your information. We will honor agreed-upon restrictions unless emergency treatment requires otherwise.

Confidential Communications

You may ask us to contact you only in certain ways or at specific locations. We will accommodate reasonable requests.

Paper Copy of This Notice

You may request a printed copy of this Notice at any time, even if you've already received it electronically.

Our Wellness Community is required by law to:

• Maintain the privacy of your protected health information

• Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices

• Follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect

• Notify you if a breach of your unsecured health information occurs

We reserve the right to update this Notice and the practices described in it. If we make a material change, we will post the revised Notice on this page and in our office. Changes apply to all health information we maintain, including records created before the change.

Questions or Concerns?

If you have questions about this Notice or believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can reach us directly — or file a complaint with the federal Office for Civil Rights. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.

• Our Wellness Community — 207-211 S Tyler St, Oak Cliff, Dallas TX 75208

• Email: community@owcdallas.com

• Phone: (214) 897-3607

• HHS Office for Civil Rights — hhs.gov/hipaa  ·  1-800-368-1019