Notice of Privacy Practices

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Nicole Valio DC, LLC DBA Couve Chiropractic
Effective Date: May 1, 2025

This notice describes how we may use or disclose your medical information and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.

 

Why am I getting this notice?

At Couve Chiropractic, we are committed to protecting your health information. This notice explains how we may use or disclose your protected health information (PHI), and the rights you have related to that information. This notice does not affect your eligibility for services or care.

 

If you have any questions, please contact:
Dr. Nicole Snow, DC, Privacy Officer
Email: info@couvechiropractic.com
Website: www.couvechiropractic.com

 

Summary of Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Get a copy of your health records
   

• Correct your health records
   

• Request confidential communications
   

• Ask us to limit what we use or share
   

• Get a list of those with whom we’ve shared your information (with some exceptions)
   

• Get a copy of this privacy notice
   

• Choose someone to act on your behalf
   

• File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated

 

Your Choices

You can tell us your choices about how we share your information in certain situations, such as:

• Talking to family or friends involved in your care
   

• Handling emergency or disaster relief
   

We do not market our services or sell your personal information.

 

Our Uses and Disclosures

We may use and share your health information to:

• Treat you
   

• Run our clinic operations
   

• Bill and collect payment for your services
   

• Comply with legal requirements
   

• Address public health and safety concerns
   

• Respond to lawsuits or legal actions
   

• Improve quality of care

 

Your Rights

When it comes to your health information, you have rights. If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please contact our office.

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1. Get a copy of your health records

You can request access to or copies of your health records. We may charge a reasonable fee for copies. We will provide them in electronic format if requested and feasible.

Records available:

• Notes from your visits to Couve Chiropractic
   

• Documentation used to make decisions about your care
   

Excluded records:

• Psychotherapy notes
   

• Information prepared for legal proceedings
   

• Data we are not legally allowed to disclose
   

• Information that could result in harm to you or others
   

2. Ask us to correct your records

You can ask us to correct information you think is incorrect or incomplete. We are not required to agree with your request, but we will inform you of our decision in writing.

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3. Request confidential communications

You can request to be contacted in a specific way (e.g., only at work or by mail). We will accommodate all reasonable requests, especially if your safety is at risk.

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4. Request restrictions on what we use or share

You can ask us not to use or share certain information for treatment, payment, or operations. We may decline if it affects your care.

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5. Get a list of who we’ve shared your information with

You may request an "accounting of disclosures" for up to six years prior to your request, excluding disclosures for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. We will respond within 60 days. Additional requests within a 12-month period may be subject to a fee.

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6. Get a copy of this notice

You may request a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you agreed to receive it electronically.

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7. Choose someone to act for you

If you have a medical power of attorney or legal guardian, they can act on your behalf once verified.

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8. File a complaint

If you feel your rights have been violated, you may file a complaint:

• With Dr. Nicole Snow, DC  at info@couvechiropractic.com
   

• Or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/
   

We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

 

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Your Choices

You may tell us your preferences about how we share your information in situations such as:

• With family, friends, or others involved in your care
   

• During emergency or disaster relief
   

If you are unable to communicate your preferences, we may share your information if we believe it is in your best interest or necessary to prevent serious harm.

We do not:

• Share your information for marketing purposes
   

• Sell your information to outside entities
   

 

Our Uses and Disclosures

We are allowed or required to share your information in the following ways:

Treatment

We may share information with other healthcare providers involved in your care.

Operations

We may use your information to improve clinic operations, training, quality assurance, or to contact you for appointment reminders.

Payment

We may use or disclose your information to obtain payment for services provided.

Legal compliance

We will disclose information when required by state or federal law.

Public health & safety

We may disclose information to:

• Prevent disease
   

• Report adverse reactions to medications
   

• Report suspected abuse or neglect
   

• Prevent or reduce a serious threat to safety
   

Lawsuits & legal actions

We may share information in response to a subpoena, court order, or legal proceeding.

Other allowed disclosures

We may share health information with:

• Medical examiners or funeral directors (upon death)
   

• Law enforcement (as required)
   

• Health oversight agencies
   

• Government programs (e.g., military, workers’ comp)

 

Special Protections

Some information receives additional protections under state or federal law, including:

• HIV/AIDS-related information
   

• Mental health-related information
   

• Substance use treatment records
   

These records will only be disclosed as permitted by law and with your explicit authorization when required.

 

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Our Responsibilities

• We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your health information.
   

• We will notify you promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised your data.
   

• We must follow the practices described in this notice.
   

• We will not share your information without your written permission except as described in this notice.
   

To learn more about your rights, visit www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/notice-privacy-practices/

 

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Changes to This Notice

We may update this notice at any time. Updates apply to all health information we maintain. We will make the updated version available in our office and on our website at www.couvechiropractic.com. You may request a paper copy at any time.