This Notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.

Our Legal Responsibility
As your provider we are legally required to protect the privacy of your health information and to provide you with this notice of our legal obligations and privacy practices with respect to your health information. If you any questions or concerns, please contact our Privacy Officer at 1-888-472-1684 or Privacy Officer, ResCare, Inc., 301 W. Burlington, Fairfield, IA 52556

Your Protected Health Information
Throughout this notice we will refer to your Protected Health Information as PHI. Your PHI includes data that identifies you and reports about the care and services you receive from ResCare. It may include information about your past, present or future physical or mental health condition, the provision of your health care and payment for services. This notice describes how we may use and disclose your PHI to carry out treatment, payment or healthcare operations and other purposes that are permitted or required by law.

Uses of PHI
We use and disclose health information for many reasons. The following examples describe some of the categories of our uses and disclosures. Please note that not every use or disclosure in a category is listed.

Treatment - We may use and disclose information about you to provide your care and facilitate related ResCare services. We will also use and disclose your health information to coordinate and manage your care and related services. For example: we may disclose your health information among staff who work at ResCare, ResCare Community Support Staff might discuss information with a ResCare therapist.

Payment - We may use and disclose your PHI in order to bill and collect payment for the treatment and services we provided to you. For example: we may provide PHI to an insurance company or other third payor or party in order to obtain approval for services.

Health Care Operations - We may disclose and use your PHI as part of routine operations. For example: we may use your PHI to evaluate the quality of services you received or to evaluate the performance of staff who were involved in your treatment, training students in clinical activities, licensing, accreditation, business planning, general administrative activities, and to government agencies and law enforcement personnel when the law requires it.

We may also use and disclose your PHI to remind you of your appointment or to inform you about treatment alternatives that may be of interest to you.

Mandatory reporting and emergencies - We may disclose PHI as necessary for public health activities such as reporting abuse or neglect and information necessary to prevent serious and imminent threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of the public or another person. We may use and disclose your PHI in an emergency treatment situation.

USES & DISCLOSURES FOR WHICH YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT
Disclosure to Family, Friends or Others - Also we may provide your PHI to a family member, friend or other person you tell us is involved in your care or involved in the payment of your health care unless you object in whole or in part. If you are unable to agree or object to such a disclosure, we may disclose such information as necessary if we determine it is in your best interest. We may also use or disclose your health information to an entity assisting in disaster relief efforts.

Directories at Licensed Facilities - We may use your name and address for directory purposes at ResCare residential facilities only. This information will be disclosed to people who ask for you by name or request a list of residents for gift giving and organizing activities. If you object to this use we will not include this information in the directory. You will need to express your objection in writing. To object please notify a staff member.

USES & DISCLOSURES OF YOUR PHI WITH YOUR PERMISSION
Uses and disclosures not described above will generally be made with your written permission, called an "authorization". You have a right to revoke an authorization at any time. For example: unless required by law we will only disclose psychotherapy notes to an outside individual or agency with your written permission.

YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING PHI - YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO:
Request Restrictions - You have the right to ask that we limit how we use and disclose your PHI. We will consider your request, but are not required to accept it. If we accept your request, we will honor that request except in emergency situations. You may not limit the uses or disclosures that we are legally required or allowed to make. To request a restriction contact the Privacy Officer.

Request Confidential Communication - You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your health care only in a certain location or through a certain method. For example: you may request that we contact you only at work. We will accommodate reasonable requests. To make a request, contact the Privacy Officer.

Inspect & Copy - To inspect or obtain a copy of medical information that may be used about your care you must submit a request in writing to the Privacy Officer. Usually this includes a release of medical information and billing records. We will make every effort to respond to your request within a reasonable period of time. You may be charged a fee to cover the cost of copying, mailing or other supplies assisted with your request.

Amend - You have the right to request an amendment of your PHI if you think that information is inaccurate or incomplete in your medical or billing record for as long as that information is maintained. We may deny your request if it is not in writing; relates to information not created or produced by us; we decide the information in the record is accurate and complete.

Accounting of Disclosures - You have the right to obtain information regarding to whom we have disclosed your PHI provided the request is not for before April 14, 2003 and is not longer than six years. This list will not include uses or disclosures made for treatments, payment or disclosures you have specifically authorized to release or any disclosures required by law.

Paper Copy of this Notice - You have the right to request a paper copy of this notice. This notice is posted at each ResCare office.

Revocation of Permission - If you provide us with permission to use or disclose medical information about you, you may revoke that permission at any time. A written request is needed for the file.

Complaints and Questions - If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with ResCare or with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. To file a complaint with ResCare, contact the Privacy Officer listed at the beginning of this notice. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Changes to this Notice - ResCare reserves the right to change the terms of this Notice, our privacy practices and to make new provisions effective for past, present and future PHI we maintain. We post a copy of the Notice of Privacy Practices at each ResCare office. Ask for one anytime you are in our offices. You may also obtain a copy of the current Notice of Privacy Practices by accessing our web site at www.iowarescare.com or by calling 1-888-472-1684 and requesting a copy.

This Notice is in effect June 8, 2005.
Updated without substantial change