Sadiecare In-Home Nursing
Effective Date: 02-01-2020 

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU AND YOUR CHILD MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Sadiecare In-Home Nursing (“Sadiecare,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) understands that your child’s health information is private and personal. We are committed to protecting the confidentiality and security of Protected Health Information (PHI) in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and all applicable federal and state laws.

We are required by law to:

• Maintain the privacy and security of health information
   
• Provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices
   
• Follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice
   
• Notify you promptly if a breach occurs that may compromise your information
   
• Use or disclose your health information only as described in this notice or as permitted by law
   

We may use and share medical information to provide, coordinate, or manage your child’s care.

Examples include:

• Communicating with physicians, therapists, or specialists
   
• Creating nursing care plans
   
• Managing medications and treatment needs
   
• Coordinating with hospitals or healthcare providers
   

We may use and share information to bill and receive payment for services.

Examples include:

• Submitting claims to Medicaid or insurance providers
   
• Verifying eligibility for programs such as GAPP or waivers
   
• Documenting medical necessity for services
   

We may use information to improve services and operate our organization.

Examples include:

• Staff training and supervision
   
• Quality improvement and safety reviews
   
• Licensing, accreditation, and compliance activities
   
• Internal audits
   

We may disclose information when required by federal or state law, including:

• Public health reporting
   
• Abuse or neglect reporting
   
• Law enforcement requests
   
• Court orders or legal proceedings
   

We may share information to prevent serious threats to health or safety when necessary to protect a child or others.

We may contact you by phone, email, or text to:

• Schedule visits
   
• Confirm appointments
   
• Provide care coordination updates
   
• Share important healthcare information
   

With permission, we may share information with:

• Parents or legal guardians
   
• Family members involved in care
   
• Authorized caregivers
   

We will obtain written authorization before:

• Using or disclosing information for marketing purposes not related to care
   
• Sharing psychotherapy notes (if applicable)
   
• Using information for purposes not described in this notice
   

You may revoke authorization at any time in writing.

You have the right to:

Request copies of your child’s medical records and information.

Ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information.

Ask us to contact you in a specific way (e.g., alternate phone number or address).

Ask us to limit how we use or share information (we will consider all requests but may not always be able to agree).

Request a list of certain disclosures we have made.

Even if you agree to receive it electronically.

Sadiecare maintains strong safeguards including:

• Secure electronic systems and controlled access
   
• Staff HIPAA training and confidentiality policies
   
• Physical security protections
   
• Secure communication protocols
   
• Ongoing monitoring and compliance reviews
   

Only authorized personnel have access to information necessary to perform their duties.

We reserve the right to update this Notice of Privacy Practices at any time.
Changes will apply to all information we maintain and will be posted on our website and provided upon request.

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may contact us directly. You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint.

SadieCare In-Home Nursing — State of Georgia

In addition to federal privacy protections under HIPAA, SadieCare complies with all applicable privacy, healthcare documentation, and patient rights laws established by the State of Georgia.

Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 31-33), medical records and health information are considered confidential. SadieCare protects patient records and will only release information:

• With written authorization from a parent or legal guardian
   
• For treatment, payment, or healthcare operations
   
• When required by law or court order
   
• To authorized government or regulatory agencies
   
• In situations involving mandatory reporting requirements
   

Parents and legal guardians have the right to request access to their child’s medical records as allowed by state law.

Because SadieCare provides services to children, we follow Georgia laws regarding parental and legal guardian consent for treatment and information access.

• Parents or legal guardians are generally considered the authorized decision-makers for minors receiving services.
   
• Documentation verifying legal guardianship may be required before information is released.
   
• In situations involving foster care, DFCS involvement, or court-appointed guardianship, SadieCare follows official custody and authorization documentation.
   

Healthcare providers in Georgia are mandated reporters. SadieCare may disclose information without authorization when required by law, including:

• Suspected child abuse or neglect
   
• Serious threats to a child’s safety
   
• Vulnerable population abuse reporting
   
• Public health emergencies or communicable disease reporting
   

Such disclosures are limited to what is legally required.

SadieCare complies with Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) and Georgia Medicaid policies related to:

• Pediatric home health services
   
• GAPP (Georgia Pediatric Program) participation
   
• Waiver program documentation
   
• Medical necessity verification
   
• Care coordination requirements
   

Information may be shared with Medicaid, case managers, or authorized state program administrators for program eligibility and service coordination purposes.

SadieCare maintains secure electronic and physical record systems in accordance with:

• HIPAA Security Rule standards
   
• Georgia healthcare record retention requirements
   
• Confidentiality protections for electronic medical information
   
• Role-based access controls for staff
   

Only authorized personnel may access patient records necessary for care or administrative duties.

Medical records are retained according to Georgia healthcare record retention guidelines and regulatory requirements. Records are securely stored and destroyed using confidential procedures when retention periods expire.

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may contact SadieCare directly. You may also file complaints with:

Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH)
https://dch.georgia.gov

Georgia Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD)
https://dch.georgia.gov/divisionsoffices/healthcare-facility-regulation

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights.

Families will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing complaints.

For a pediatric private duty nursing provider in Georgia, you should also have:

• Georgia-compliant Consent to Treat form
   
• HIPAA Authorization Release (Georgia language)
   
• DFCS / Foster Care authorization template
   
• Georgia Medicaid/GAPP consent language
   
• SMS/Text Communication Consent (TCPA compliant)
   
• Telehealth consent if virtual consults are offered

SadieCare In-Home Nursing
678-904-3728

 www.sadiecare.com
service@sadiecare.com

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights:

https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/