Notice of Privacy Practices

Effective Date: July 21, 2025

This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can access this information. Please review it carefully.

Our Legal Duty

Oak & Echo Counseling, PLLC is required by law to maintain the privacy of your protected health information (PHI), to provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices, and to notify you in the event of a breach of unsecured PHI. We are committed to protecting your confidentiality in accordance with federal and state law.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access and obtain a copy of your health records
  • Request corrections to your health records
  • Request confidential communications
  • Request limits on the use or sharing of your information
  • Receive a list of disclosures we’ve made
  • Get a paper or digital copy of this notice at any time
  • Choose someone to act on your behalf (such as a medical power of attorney)
  • File a complaint if you feel your rights have been violated

Our Uses and Disclosures

We typically use or share your health information in the following ways:

  • Treatment: To provide, coordinate, or manage your mental health care.
  • Payment: To bill and collect payment from insurance companies or third parties.
  • Healthcare operations: For quality improvement, licensing, audits, and administrative purposes.

Other Uses and Disclosures

We may also use or share your information in other ways, as permitted or required by law, including:

  • To comply with public health and safety laws
  • To respond to lawsuits and legal actions
  • To comply with health oversight agencies for audits or investigations
  • To report suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
  • When required by a court order, warrant, or subpoena

We will not share your information for marketing purposes, fundraising, or selling your information without your written permission.

Your Choices

In certain situations, you have the right to make choices about how we share your information. This includes:

  • Sharing information with your family or others involved in your care
  • Disclosing information in a disaster relief situation
  • Including your information in a facility directory (not applicable in our practice)

Changes to This Notice

We reserve the right to change the terms of this notice at any time. Any changes will apply to all information we have about you and will be posted on our website.

Questions or Complaints

If you have questions or believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can contact:

Oak & Echo Counseling, PLLC
4140 Hickory Blvd, Office #4
Granite Falls, NC 28630
Cameron_Short@oakandechocounseling.com

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights at www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.