HIPAA NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
Changing Gears Behavioral Health and Services, LLC
5910 Highway 43
Tuscumbia, Alabama 35674
Effective Date: June 13, 2026
THIS HIPAA NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED, HOW YOU CAN ACCESS THIS INFORMATION, AND YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
Our Commitment to Your Privacy
Changing Gears Behavioral Health and Services, LLC ("CGBHS") is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your Protected Health Information ("PHI"). PHI includes information about your health, treatment, services received, payment for healthcare services, and information that may identify you.
This Notice is provided in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA"), the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act ("HITECH"), applicable federal regulations, and Alabama law.
Federal and state laws require us to:
Protect the privacy of your protected health information.
Provide you with this HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.
Follow the privacy practices described in this Notice.
Notify you if a breach occurs that may compromise the privacy or security of your information.
Comply with applicable federal and Alabama privacy laws.
YOUR HIPAA RIGHTS
You have the right to:
Inspect and Obtain Copies of Records
You may request access to your medical, behavioral, billing, and other records maintained by our practice.
Request Amendments
You may request corrections to information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete.
Request Restrictions
You may request limitations on how your information is used or disclosed.
Request Confidential Communications
You may request that we communicate with you in a specific manner or at a specific location.
Receive an Accounting of Disclosures
You may request a list of certain disclosures made by our practice.
Receive a Paper Copy of This Notice
You may receive a paper copy of this Notice at any time.
File a Complaint
You may file a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated without fear of retaliation.
HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
We may use and disclose your Protected Health Information for:
Treatment
Assessments and reassessments
ABA therapy services
Treatment planning
Protocol modifications
Care coordination
Communication with healthcare providers involved in treatment
Payment
Insurance verification
Prior authorizations
Claims submission
Payment collection
Appeals and audits
Healthcare Operations
Quality assurance
Staff training
Clinical supervision
Licensing and accreditation
Risk management
Compliance monitoring
Business operations
ABA-SPECIFIC DISCLOSURES
As an Applied Behavior Analysis provider, we may use and disclose information for:
Functional Behavior Assessments
Skills assessments
Treatment planning
Parent and caregiver training
Clinical supervision of BCBAs, BCaBAs, Registered Behavior Technicians, and trainees
Data collection and analysis
Insurance authorization requests
Medicaid audits
Quality assurance reviews
Clinical consultation and peer review
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
We may communicate with you through telephone, voicemail, text messages, email, electronic health record systems, or other electronic means regarding appointments, treatment, billing, scheduling, and administrative matters.
You may request alternative communication methods at any time.
SPECIAL USES AND DISCLOSURES
We may disclose information when:
Required by law.
Reporting abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
Responding to court orders or subpoenas.
Participating in health oversight activities.
Responding to public health concerns.
Assisting law enforcement when authorized by law.
Complying with workers' compensation requirements.
USES REQUIRING WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION
We will obtain your written authorization before:
Selling protected health information.
Certain marketing activities.
Uses and disclosures not otherwise permitted by law.
You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time.
SPECIAL PROTECTIONS FOR CERTAIN RECORDS
Certain records may receive additional protections under federal or state law, including:
Mental health records
Substance use disorder treatment records
HIV/AIDS-related information
Genetic information
Substance Use Disorder Records
Certain substance use disorder treatment records receive additional privacy protections under federal law. If our practice receives or maintains records subject to these protections, we will comply with all applicable federal requirements regarding their use and disclosure.
MINORS AND LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES
In accordance with Alabama law, parents and legal guardians generally have rights regarding a minor child's health information unless otherwise limited by law, court order, or legal exception.
OUR HIPAA RESPONSIBILITIES
We are required by law to:
Maintain the privacy and security of your PHI.
Provide this HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.
Follow the terms of this Notice.
Notify you of certain breaches involving unsecured protected health information.
Comply with HIPAA, HITECH, and applicable Alabama privacy laws.
CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE
We reserve the right to change this Notice at any time. Revised notices will apply to all information maintained by our practice and will be made available upon request.
QUESTIONS OR COMPLAINTS
Privacy Officer
Changing Gears Behavioral Health and Services, LLC
5910 Highway 43
Tuscumbia, Alabama 35674
Phone: 256-592-6120
Email: admin@changinggearsbhs.com
You may also file a complaint with:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office for Civil Rights
200 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20201
Phone: 1-800-368-1019
TDD: 1-800-537-7697
Complaint Portal: https://ocrportal.hhs.gov
You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.