NOTICE OF PRIVACY Practices
Depretis Chiropractic and Total Wellness
Effective Date: 3/6/2026
This Notice Describes How Medical Information About You May Be Used And Disclosed And How You Can Access This Information. Please Review It Carefully.
Our Legal Duty
Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, Depretis Chiropractic and Total Wellness is required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information (PHI).
We are required to:
- Maintain the privacy of your protected health information
- Provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices
- Follow the terms of the notice currently in effect
- Notify you if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information
Protected Health Information (PHI) includes information about your health condition, diagnosis, treatment, and payment for healthcare services.
Privacy Officer
Depretis Chiropractic and Total Wellness has designated a Privacy Officer responsible for implementing and monitoring HIPAA compliance policies and procedures.
Privacy Officer:
Dr. Nicholas Depretis
The Privacy Officer oversees:
- Privacy policy compliance
- Safeguarding patient information
- Responding to privacy complaints
- Staff HIPAA training and compliance procedures
Questions or concerns regarding privacy practices should be directed to the Privacy Officer.
How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information
Your health information may be used and disclosed for the following purposes:
Treatment
We may use and disclose your health information to provide and coordinate healthcare services.
Examples include:
- Sharing information with other healthcare providers involved in your care
- Referring you to another provider or imaging facility
- Consulting with other professionals regarding treatment
Payment
We may use and disclose your information to obtain payment for services provided.
Examples include:
- Submitting claims to insurance companies
- Verifying insurance coverage
- Billing for healthcare services
Healthcare Operations
We may use your health information to support the daily operations of our practice.
Examples include:
- Quality assessment and improvement activities
- Staff training and education
- Licensing and accreditation activities
- Compliance and auditing procedures
Business Associates
Some services required to operate our practice involve third-party vendors who may have access to protected health information. These vendors are known as Business Associates.
Examples may include:
- Electronic health record providers
- Medical billing or clearinghouse services
- IT support services
- Cloud storage providers
- Diagnostic imaging or software providers
Depretis Chiropractic and Total Wellness maintains Business Associate Agreements with all vendors who may access protected health information to ensure they safeguard your information in accordance with federal privacy laws.
Other Permitted Uses and Disclosures
We may disclose your health information without your authorization in certain circumstances required or permitted by law, including:
- Public health activities
- Health oversight activities
- Workers’ compensation claims
- Judicial and administrative proceedings
- Law enforcement requests
- Coroners, medical examiners, or funeral directors
- National security or government functions
Uses and Disclosures Requiring Authorization
Certain uses and disclosures of your health information require your written authorization, including:
- Marketing communications not related to treatment
- Sale of protected health information
- Certain disclosures not otherwise permitted by law
You may revoke authorization at any time in writing, except to the extent that action has already been taken based on the authorization.
Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
You have the following rights regarding your protected health information:
Right to Inspect and Copy
You have the right to review or obtain a copy of your health records.
Right to Request Amendment
If you believe your information is incorrect or incomplete, you may request that it be amended.
Right to Request Restrictions
You may request limits on how your information is used or disclosed. While we will consider your request, we are not always required to agree.
Right to Confidential Communications
You may request that we contact you using a specific method or at a specific location.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You may request a list of disclosures made outside of treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.
Right to a Paper Copy
You may request a paper copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices at any time.
Acknowledgment of Receipt
Patients are provided with a copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices at their initial visit.
Depretis Chiropractic and Total Wellness attempts to obtain written acknowledgment that patients have received this notice. This acknowledgment is documented using a separate form maintained in the patient record.
If a patient declines to sign the acknowledgment, the practice documents that the notice was provided.
Our Responsibilities
Depretis Chiropractic and Total Wellness is required to:
- Maintain the privacy and security of your health information
- Provide you with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices
- Follow the privacy practices described in this notice
We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and update this notice at any time. Updated notices will be posted in the office and made available to patients.
Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our office or with:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
You will not be penalized or denied care for filing a complaint.
Contact Information
Depretis Chiropractic and Total Wellness
4453 William Penn Highway
Murrysville, PA 15668
Phone: 412-874-0223
Privacy Officer:
Dr. Nicholas Depretis
