Policies

Making and Cancelling Appointments
We strive to work with you to arrange convenient appointments during the day or evening. Initial appointments are made directly by calling 781-878-7111. As part of our commitment to providing the best care, we must charge for missed appointments. If you need to cancel an appointment, 24-hour notice is required. If you have a Monday appointment, please call us the Friday before in order to avoid a late-fee charge. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation regarding these terms.

Missing an appointment without notification or rescheduling may hinder your therapy progress as well as disrupt the schedule of your clinician and makes that time unavailable to other patients.

Inclement Weather
If you are not going to be able to make an appointment due to a weather-related situation please call your clinician and let them know. They will have made every effort to be in the office at  the appointed time to see you. In general, the office will be closed if the Norwell school system is closed.

Safety
If you arrive at the office and are intoxicated, impaired or unable to drive, then we will contact the name of an emergency contact person that was listed on the Client Information form you are required to fill out at intake.

Privacy
Lynch Wellness is aware of the importance of keeping what you share with a team member private.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA) requires that mental health professionals protect the privacy of Protected Health Information and give you this notice. Protected Health Information (PHI) involves your case record which contains information that identifies you and relates to your past, present or future physical or mental health. This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how PHI may be used and disclosed, and your rights regarding how you may gain access to your PHI. It is designed in compliance with the policies of the National Association of Social Workers. Although I share this office setting with other therapists, each of us operates independently and is responsible for privacy practices that are in compliance with our disciplines. This Notice of Privacy may be revised as new information about PHI becomes available. I will advise you of any of any revisions or changes in Privacy Practices and Policies.

How Your Information May be Used
For Treatment:
Your PHI may be used and disclosed by those who are involved in your care for the purpose of providing, coordinating or managing your health care treatment and related services. Verbal permission is needed to disclose information to family members directly related to your care. A release of information, signed by you, is needed to send information in all other situations, with the exception of the following circumstances:

  • If you are deemed dangerous to yourself or others.
  • If you need to be hospitalized for psychiatric care.
  • In cases of suspected child, disabled or elderly abuse.
  • If evidence is required in a child custody or adoption case.
  • In legal proceedings if a judge issues a court order.
  • In defense of action brought against your therapist.

Your PHI may be used for clinical supervision to aid your therapist in managing your treatment. It cannot be used for training or teaching without your permission.

For Business Operations: If you use insurance, your PHI will be disclosed in billing and to get authorization for extended treatment through your health insurer. A clinical diagnosis is required to bill insurance companies. A treatment plan is often required to extend therapy beyond an initial 6-10 sessions determined by individual insurance companies. Business support services such as typing services and collection agencies have access to your PHI as long as there is a contract with your therapist to safeguard the information. Your Protected Health Information can also be viewed by government agencies to determine compliance with HIPPA policies and procedures.

Your Rights Regarding Your PHI: You have the following rights regarding PHI. To exercise your rights you may submit any request in writing to me at the above address.

Right of Access to Inspect and Copy: You have the right to inspect and copy PHI that is being used to make decisions about your care. Your right to inspect and copy will be restricted only in those situations where there is compelling evidence that access would cause serious harm to you.

Right to Amend: If you feel that your PHI is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask to amend the information. Your  therapist does not need, however, to agree to the amendment.

Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You have the right to request an accounting of the disclosures that have been made of your PHI.

Right to Request Restrictions: You can request restrictions or limitations on the use or disclosure of PHI for treatment, payment or health care operations. This may, however, effect payment for services.

Right to Request Confidential Communications: If there are specific ways that you want to receive communication about medical matters or certain locations you want used for communication, you may request this from your provider

Right to Copy: You have a right to a copy of this Privacy Statement at any time.