Privacy Practices

Privacy Practices for Protected Health Information (PHI)

TCHD has posted a notice that describes how health care information about you may be used and disclosed(PDF, 155KB), and how you can get access to this information. Please review this notice carefully.

Purpose of the Notices: Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) is required by law to maintain privacy of certain confidential health information, known as Protected Health Information (PHI), and to provide you with a notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your PHI. TCHD is also required to abide by the terms of the version of these Notices currently in effect.

All employees, staff, students, volunteers and other personnel whose work is under the direct control of TCHD must abide by this notice.

Notice Of Privacy Practices(PDF, 155KB)

Effective: September 23, 2013

Contact TCHD about its Privacy Practices

Client Bill of Rights

Client Bill of Rights(PDF, 139KB)

(Clinic & Home Visit Services)

  • Receive service(s) without regard to age, race, color, ethnicity, disability, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, sex, veteran status, national origin or sponsor;
  • Be treated with consideration, respect and dignity including privacy in treatment;
  • Be informed of these rights, and the right to exercise such rights, in writing prior to the start of care, as evidenced by written documentation in the clinical record. If a client lacks capacity to exercise these rights, the rights shall be exercised by an individual, guardian or entity legally authorized to represent the client;
  • Be informed of the services the agency is to provide, when and how services will be provided, and the name and functions of any person and affiliated agency providing care and services;
  • Be advised before care is initiated of the extent to which payment for agency services may be expected from any third party payers and the extent to which payment may be required from the client; and be advised of any changes in payment information verbally and in writing not later than 30 calendar days from the date our agency becomes aware of the change;
  • Be informed of the provisions for non-business hours emergency coverage;
  • Participate in the planning of his or her care and be advised in advance of any changes to the plan of care;
  • Obtain complete and current information concerning his/her diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in terms the client can be reasonably expected to understand;
  • Refuse care and treatment after being fully informed of and understanding the consequences of such actions; refuse to participate in experimental research;
  • Express complaints and recommend changes in policies and services to the Community Health Services Supervisor at (607) 274-6604 or the Director of Community Health at (607) 274-6614, the New York State Department of Health or any outside representative of your choice. The expression of such complaints by you or your designee shall be free from interference, coercion, discrimination or reprisal;
  • Submit complaints about care and services provided or not provided and complaints concerning lack of respect for property by anyone furnishing service on our behalf, to be informed of the procedure for filing such complaints, and to have such complaints investigated by us in accordance with the provisions of NYCRR Title 10 Part 766.9. We are responsible for notifying you or your designee that if you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to appeal our response and you may voice complaints directly to the New York State Department of Health Patient Hotline at (800) 628-5972;
  • Privacy, including confidential treatment of client records, and refuse release of records to any individual outside the agency except in the case of the client’s transfer to a health care facility, or as required by law or third-party payment contract;
  • Access your medical record pursuant to the provisions of section 18 of the Public Health Law, Subpart 50-3 of 751.9 (o).
  • Receive information on advanced directives and forms free of charge. Our staff is available to answer questions you might have or you may call (607) 274-6604 during business hours.

Effective October 2015

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