What This Privacy Policy Covers
This Privacy Policy outlines the procedures by which Vital Quest Journey and its affiliated entities (collectively referred to as “Vital Quest Journey”) may collect, utilize, and disclose your Personal Data when you engage with or utilize our Services. “Personal Data” encompasses any information that specifically identifies or pertains to an individual, and it includes data referred to as “personally identifiable information” or “personal information” according to relevant data privacy laws, rules, or regulations.
It is important to note that this Privacy Policy does not extend to the practices of third parties or companies beyond the ownership or control of Vital Quest Journey or individuals not under our management. Additionally, Protected Health Information, as defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) and the HIPAA Privacy Rule, collected by the Practice (as defined herein) and providers with whom Vital Quest Journey contracts to facilitate medical visits through the Vital Quest Journey platform is not covered by this Privacy Policy. While Vital Quest Journey currently contracts with these medical groups (referred to as the “Practice”), it’s worth mentioning that the medical groups we engage with may undergo changes over time.
The following Details contained below detail how Vital Quest Journey and the Practice may handle your Protected Health Information. If you disagree with these terms, available below, we recommend refraining from accessing or utilizing Vital Quest Journey services.
Notice of Privacy Practices
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW YOUR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED WHEN YOU USE SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH VITAL QUEST JOURNEY AND ITS AFFILIATED PRACTICES AND PROVIDERS. “Providers” are professionals contracted or employed by independently owned professional practices that collaborate with Vital Quest Journey to offer specific healthcare services. The Practices may disclose Protected Health Information (or “PHI”) (as defined by HIPAA) to Vital Quest Journey in connection with its role as a business associate and for use consistent with this Notice. In this Privacy Notice, Vital Quest Journey, the “Practices and Providers, collectively, may be referred to as, “Vital Quest Journey,” “us,” “we,” or “our”).
Vital Quest Journey is dedicated to safeguarding the privacy of your Protected Health Information (PHI). In compliance with legal obligations, we commit to: (a) furnish you with this Notice outlining our legal responsibilities and privacy practices regarding your PHI; (b) adhere to the terms of the currently effective Notice; and (c) inform you in case of a breach involving your PHI. Furthermore, we are obligated to provide you with details on: (i) how we may utilize and disclose your PHI; (ii) your privacy rights; and (iii) our responsibilities concerning the usage and disclosure of your PHI.
It’s essential to clarify that this Notice does not serve as an authorization. Instead, it delineates how we, our business associates, and their subcontractors may use and disclose your PHI for purposes such as treatment, payment, or health care operations, and as allowed or mandated by law. Additionally, it outlines your rights to access and control your PHI.
B. Uses and Disclosures That May Be Made Without Your Authorization or Opportunity to Object
Vital Quest Journey may utilize or disclose your PHI in the following situations without seeking your authorization and without providing you an opportunity to object.
Required by the Secretary of Health and Human Services: We may be obligated to disclose your PHI to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for the purpose of investigating or determining our compliance with the requirements of the HIPAA Privacy Rule.
Required By Law: Your PHI may be used or disclosed to the extent mandated by federal, state, or local law.
Public Health: We reserve the right to disclose your PHI for public health activities, such as tracking diseases and/or medical devices. This may involve making disclosures to a public health authority or other government agency authorized by law to collect or receive such information (e.g., the Food and Drug Administration). These activities typically include: (a) preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability; (b) reporting births and deaths; (c) reporting child abuse or neglect; (d) reporting reactions to medications or issues with products; (e) notifying individuals of product recalls; or (f) notifying a person who may have been exposed to a disease or may be at risk for contracting or spreading a disease or condition. If we possess genetic testing information about you, we will release that information only to the state departments overseeing our work or if required by law to disclose such information.