Notice of Privacy Practices
Effective Date: 02/04/2026
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN ACCESS THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
Important Information About Our Franchise System
Preferred Care at Home is a national franchise brand. Each Preferred Care at Home location is independently owned and operated by a separate legal entity.
The franchisor does not provide care services and does not maintain or control client medical records for local agencies. Each local Preferred Care at Home agency is solely responsible for maintaining and safeguarding the Protected Health Information (“PHI”) of its clients in accordance with applicable federal and state privacy laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), where applicable.
This Notice is provided for general informational purposes and reflects privacy practices commonly followed by Preferred Care at Home agencies that operate as HIPAA covered entities.
Your local Preferred Care at Home agency may provide you with its own Notice of Privacy Practices. If there is any difference between this website Notice and the Notice provided by your local agency, the local agency’s Notice controls.
For questions about how your personal information is handled, please contact your local Preferred Care at Home office directly.
Our Legal Duties
When operating as a HIPAA-covered entity, a Preferred Care at Home agency is required by law to:
- Maintain the privacy of your Protected Health Information (PHI)
- Provide you with a Notice explaining its legal duties and privacy practices
- Follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect
- Notify you if a breach of unsecured PHI occurs
PHI includes information that identifies you and relates to your health condition, the services you receive, or payment for those services.
How Your Information May Be Used and Disclosed
A Preferred Care at Home agency may use or disclose your PHI without written authorization for the following purposes:
Treatment and Care Coordination
To coordinate services with physicians, nurses, therapists, pharmacies, hospice providers, or others involved in your care.
Payment
To bill and collect payment from Medicaid, insurance plans, managed care organizations, long-term care policies, or other third-party payors.
Health Care Operations
For quality assurance, staff training, compliance activities, licensing, audits, risk management, and general business operations.
Individuals Involved in Your Care
Unless you object, relevant information may be shared with family members or others involved in your care or payment for care.
As Required by Law
When required by federal or state law, court order, subpoena, or other lawful process.
Public Health and Safety
To report abuse, neglect, domestic violence, communicable diseases, or to prevent a serious threat to health or safety.
Health Oversight Activities
To government agencies responsible for audits, investigations, inspections, licensure, or regulatory oversight.
Special Protection for Reproductive Health Information
Federal law provides additional privacy protections for certain reproductive health information.
A Preferred Care at Home agency will not use or disclose your PHI for the purpose of investigating or imposing liability on any person for seeking, obtaining, providing, or facilitating lawful reproductive health care.
In certain situations, before disclosing PHI that may relate to reproductive health care for law enforcement, judicial, or oversight purposes, the agency is required to obtain a signed attestation confirming that the request is not for a prohibited purpose.
These protections apply when the reproductive health care is lawful.
Uses and Disclosures That Require Your Written Authorization
Written authorization is required before:
- Using or disclosing PHI for marketing purposes where required by law
- Selling PHI
- Disclosing psychotherapy notes, if applicable
- Any other use or disclosure not described in the applicable Notice
You may revoke your authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent the agency has already relied on it.
Your Rights Regarding Your Information
You have the right to:
Access
Request to inspect or obtain a copy of your PHI.
Amend
Request corrections to your PHI if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete.
Accounting of Disclosures
Request a list of certain disclosures made of your PHI within the past six years.
Request Restrictions
Request limits on certain uses or disclosures of your PHI. The agency is not required to agree, except where required by law.
Confidential Communications
Request that communications be made to you in a specific way or at a specific location.
Paper Copy
Obtain a paper copy of your local agency’s Notice at any time.
Requests should be directed to your local Preferred Care at Home office.
Breach Notification
If your unsecured PHI is breached, you will be notified as required by law.
Changes to This Notice
Preferred Care at Home agencies reserve the right to change their privacy practices and update their Notice of Privacy Practices. Updated Notices will apply to all PHI maintained by the local agency and will be made available upon request.
Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with your local Preferred Care at Home agency or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.
Contact Information
For privacy questions or to exercise your rights, please contact your local Preferred Care at Home office.