Privacy Policy
NewLeaf Recovery Services will protect patient health information for outpatient substance use treatment services in Lansing, Michigan, ensuring compliance with HIPAA Privacy Rule and 42 CFR Part 2 federal confidentiality protections .
Effective Date: This Privacy Policy will become effective when NewLeaf Recovery Services opens. The effective date will be updated prior to the start of clinical services.
Organization: NewLeaf Recovery Services Lansing, Michigan 517-908-0162
If you or a loved one is in crisis, call 988 or text 988 — the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Purpose & Scope
This Privacy Policy describes how NewLeaf Recovery Services will protect, use, and disclose your protected health information (PHI) when we begin providing outpatient substance use treatment services. Our privacy practices comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule and the federal confidentiality regulations for substance use disorder treatment under 42 CFR Part 2.
This policy applies to all health information we will create, receive, maintain, or transmit about you in connection with your treatment at our facility. The privacy protections outlined here will govern all forms of your health information, whether written, spoken, or electronic.
We are committed to maintaining the confidentiality of your health information and will implement appropriate safeguards to protect your privacy rights throughout your care with us.
Information Covered
Protected health information includes any information we will collect, create, or receive about your health condition, treatment, or payment for healthcare services. This encompasses:
All information related to your substance use disorder treatment receives special protection under federal confidentiality laws, including both HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 regulations.
1. Medical and clinical records related to your substance use treatment
2. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) records and prescriptions
3. Assessment and evaluation documentation
4. Treatment plans and progress notes
5. Laboratory results and drug screening information
6. Insurance and billing information
7. Demographic and contact information
8. Any other health-related information in your medical record
How We Use & Share Information
We will use and disclose your protected health information for the following purposes:
We will use your health information to provide, coordinate, and manage your substance use treatment and related services. This includes sharing information among our clinical team members involved in your care.
We will use and disclose your health information to obtain payment for treatment services. This may include submitting claims to insurance plans and verifying coverage benefits.
We may use your information for quality improvement, staff training, compliance activities, and other healthcare operations necessary to run our practice and ensure quality care.
Any disclosure of substance use disorder treatment information requires your written authorization, except as specifically permitted by federal law. We will not share your information with family members, friends, or others without your explicit consent.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q. Treatment
We will use your health information to provide, coordinate, and manage your substance use treatment and related services. This includes sharing information among our clinical team members involved in your care.
Q. Payment
We will use and disclose your health information to obtain payment for treatment services. This may include submitting claims to insurance plans and verifying coverage benefits.
Q. Healthcare Operations
We may use your information for quality improvement, staff training, compliance activities, and other healthcare operations necessary to run our practice and ensure quality care.
Your Rights & Choices
Under federal privacy laws, you will have the following rights regarding your protected health information:
To exercise these rights, contact our Privacy Officer using the information provided in this policy. We will respond to your requests within the timeframes required by law.
1. Right to Access: You may request copies of your medical records and treatment information
2. Right to Amend: You may request corrections to your health information if you believe it is inaccurate
3. Right to Restrict: You may request limitations on how we use or disclose your information
4. Right to Confidential Communications: You may request that we communicate with you in a specific way or location
5. Right to Revoke Authorization: You may withdraw consent for disclosures you previously authorized
6. Right to File Complaints: You may file complaints about our privacy practices without fear of retaliation
Limits & Exceptions (Law / safety)
Limits & Exceptions
While we maintain strict confidentiality protections, federal and state laws require or permit disclosure of health information in certain limited circumstances:
These disclosures will be limited to the minimum necessary information required by law. We will document any such disclosures and notify you when legally permissible to do so.
In cases involving threats of harm to yourself or others, we may disclose information as necessary to prevent serious harm, consistent with applicable legal requirements.
1. Court Orders: When required by valid court orders that meet specific legal criteria
2. Medical Emergencies: To medical personnel when necessary to meet a bona fide medical emergency
3. Child Abuse Reporting: When required by state law to report suspected child abuse or neglect
4. Public Health Requirements: For communicable disease reporting as required by law
5. Audit and Investigation: To authorized federal, state, or local officials for program oversight
How To Contact Us About This Document
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact:
NewLeaf Recovery Services Privacy Compliance Team 517-908-0162
You may also file complaints about our privacy practices with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights .
Changes To This Document
We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy as needed to comply with changing laws and regulations or to improve our privacy practices. Any material changes will be effective for all protected health information we maintain, including information created or received before the change.
When we make significant changes to this policy, we will:
You may request a copy of our current Privacy Policy at any time. The most current version will always be available at our facility and on our website.
This policy will remain in effect until replaced by a newer version or until we cease operations.
1. Post the updated policy in our facility and on our website
2. Make copies available upon request
3. Notify patients of changes during their next visit when feasible
4. Include the effective date of any revisions