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FAQS
ARE SESSIONS IN THE OFFICE? OR BY PHONE &VIDEO CHAT?
All sessions are currently held either online or by phone. I use a free and easy video-chat platform that doesn't require you to download anything, and meets all the privacy guideines of HIPAA. Or, if you prefer, we can do FaceTime or Skype.
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WHAT KIND OF THERAPY DO YOU OFFER?
Compassionate, Comprehensive, Caring Counseling
I provide compassionate care and comprehensive therapy designed to help you regulate your emotions, gain deeper insight, and create lasting change in your life. I am trained and experienced in many types of therapy, such as:
I use whatever method of treatment seems best suited to each client, and may provide more than one kind of therapy, which is known as an "eclectic" approach.
Mind-Body Therapy /Energy Psychology
I also use body-based (somatic) and energy techniques including Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping), Reiki energy healing, energy cleansing, and cord cutting.
If you are looking for a particular form of therapy, please feel free to call me to let me know what you are seeking.
I provide compassionate care and comprehensive therapy designed to help you regulate your emotions, gain deeper insight, and create lasting change in your life. I am trained and experienced in many types of therapy, such as:
- Cognitive-Behavioral
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
- Solution-Focused
- Humanistic
- Family Systems
- Interpersonal
- Gottman Method (for couples)
- Behavioral
- Psychodynamic Therapy
I use whatever method of treatment seems best suited to each client, and may provide more than one kind of therapy, which is known as an "eclectic" approach.
Mind-Body Therapy /Energy Psychology
I also use body-based (somatic) and energy techniques including Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping), Reiki energy healing, energy cleansing, and cord cutting.
If you are looking for a particular form of therapy, please feel free to call me to let me know what you are seeking.
Fees and Insurance
HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE?
Individual session: $165 for 50 minutes.
WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU TAKE?
Cash, checks, credit cards. If you would like to use options such as PayPal or Zelle, please discuss it with me. These are not HIPAA-compliant options and may not protect your privacy.
DO YOU TAKE MY INSURANCE?
I no longer take health insurance. However, I can provide you with a "Super Bill" to give your insurance company for partial reimbursement if you have that kind of plan. The super bill is not a guarantee of payment, and I will not work with any health insurance companies.
Individual session: $165 for 50 minutes.
WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU TAKE?
Cash, checks, credit cards. If you would like to use options such as PayPal or Zelle, please discuss it with me. These are not HIPAA-compliant options and may not protect your privacy.
DO YOU TAKE MY INSURANCE?
I no longer take health insurance. However, I can provide you with a "Super Bill" to give your insurance company for partial reimbursement if you have that kind of plan. The super bill is not a guarantee of payment, and I will not work with any health insurance companies.
WHY IT MAY BENEFIT YOU NOT TO WORK WITH HEALTH INSURANCE
Freedom from insurance-related restrictions. Insurance companies sometimes limit the number of sessions you may have. They may choose the type of treatment they believe I should provide for you. They may not cover more than one session a week if you are in crisis, and may not cover extended sessions or phone sessions, or other forms of treatment that might be especially helpful to you. Some insurance companies only cover certain diagnoses. All insurance companies require you to have a "medically necessary" diagnosis.
Protecting your confidentiality. In order to file insurance as an in-network provider, a therapist must diagnose you with a psychiatric mental illness. However, you may not really have a mental illness, and like some people, you might just want to talk to a therapist to figure out some challenging issues in your life, for example, stress, grief or a loss that needs to be processed and healed. Unfortunately, health insurance doesn't pay for processing emotions. Moreover, whether you have a true mental illness or not, disclosure of confidential information may be required by your health insurance carrier in order to process the claims. (They may ask me to provide them with specific session notes, for example.) I would have no control or knowledge of what the insurance company would do with the information I submit, or who has access to this information.
Potential exclusion from health or life insurance in the future. In addition, please be aware that submitting a mental health invoice for reimbursement (such as the Super Bill mentioned above) carries a certain amount of risk to your future capacity to obtain health or life insurance. Mental health information is often entered into big insurance companies' computers and is likely to be reported to the National Medical Data Bank. Certain diagnoses, in the past, meant you would be automatically excluded from being allowed to buy health or life insurance on your own (although you might still be able to get coverage as part of a group). Of course, currently, with "Obamacare," no one can be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition. However, we don't know how long this will last.
More choice in the provider you wish to see. As people call around looking for a therapist who takes their insurance, many find the perfect provider (or are referred to a specific therapist by someone they trust), only to find out that the therapist does not take their insurance. Some great therapists may not be on your insurance panel; others do not participate with any insurance panels. Choosing to cover your own therapy expenses gives you more freedom to see the provider you think is the best fit for you, period.
What about filing insurance out of network? I qualify as an out-of-network provider with most insurance companies. While this protects far more confidentially than using an in-network therapist, it still requires me to issue a specific mental health diagnosis in order for you to get the claims filed and paid.
Freedom from insurance-related restrictions. Insurance companies sometimes limit the number of sessions you may have. They may choose the type of treatment they believe I should provide for you. They may not cover more than one session a week if you are in crisis, and may not cover extended sessions or phone sessions, or other forms of treatment that might be especially helpful to you. Some insurance companies only cover certain diagnoses. All insurance companies require you to have a "medically necessary" diagnosis.
Protecting your confidentiality. In order to file insurance as an in-network provider, a therapist must diagnose you with a psychiatric mental illness. However, you may not really have a mental illness, and like some people, you might just want to talk to a therapist to figure out some challenging issues in your life, for example, stress, grief or a loss that needs to be processed and healed. Unfortunately, health insurance doesn't pay for processing emotions. Moreover, whether you have a true mental illness or not, disclosure of confidential information may be required by your health insurance carrier in order to process the claims. (They may ask me to provide them with specific session notes, for example.) I would have no control or knowledge of what the insurance company would do with the information I submit, or who has access to this information.
Potential exclusion from health or life insurance in the future. In addition, please be aware that submitting a mental health invoice for reimbursement (such as the Super Bill mentioned above) carries a certain amount of risk to your future capacity to obtain health or life insurance. Mental health information is often entered into big insurance companies' computers and is likely to be reported to the National Medical Data Bank. Certain diagnoses, in the past, meant you would be automatically excluded from being allowed to buy health or life insurance on your own (although you might still be able to get coverage as part of a group). Of course, currently, with "Obamacare," no one can be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition. However, we don't know how long this will last.
More choice in the provider you wish to see. As people call around looking for a therapist who takes their insurance, many find the perfect provider (or are referred to a specific therapist by someone they trust), only to find out that the therapist does not take their insurance. Some great therapists may not be on your insurance panel; others do not participate with any insurance panels. Choosing to cover your own therapy expenses gives you more freedom to see the provider you think is the best fit for you, period.
What about filing insurance out of network? I qualify as an out-of-network provider with most insurance companies. While this protects far more confidentially than using an in-network therapist, it still requires me to issue a specific mental health diagnosis in order for you to get the claims filed and paid.
REVIEWS
Jean T Rothman, MFT is rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, based on 9 reviews! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jean is an absolute gem! I searched for several years and drudged through the drudgery with less than ideal therapists. Let me tell you, when I finally started seeing and speaking to Jean, everything changed. For the first time in my life, I felt heard, felt safe, felt valued, felt respected, and had no problem opening up. Our sessions were short lived due to me moving back home to the east coast, but I absolutely felt respected, valued, and appreciated every session that I had and all of the information that I had learned was far more than valuable. I have been putting everything that I have learned into person practice and while I am far from perfect, I have a more solid foundation of understanding how and why I react to things the way that I do and overall I just feel so much lighter and more care free. If you are fortunate enough to speak to her, please treasure it and soak in all that you can. Thank you so much for your help and support!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I am so blessed to have had a chance to see Jean Rothman. Her influence was a huge part in the immense growth and healing in my life! I had originally gone to see my college counselor and Jean's office was on the list of places I should call, glad I did!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jean genuinely cares about her clients and personalizes therapy methods to who you are and experiences you've had. She's easy to talk to and listens to everything you say. I've come into a session where she started out by telling me she thought about was said last time and here are some ideas on how we can move forward. It definitely made me feel like she not only listens, but cares about helping you. She helps build tools to help you cope, self-evaluate, and overall live a healthier lifestyle.
Highly recommend her! - AH
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jean is wonderful! She's a compassionate listener who offers both immediate and longer-term solutions for dealing with difficulties. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a great therapist.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have always appreciated Jean's immediate attunement to children and her skills and knowledge in assisting with parenting concerns. She brings a wealth of life experience along with compassion and understanding to her clients. She offers a deep connection in her work with women, making it a safe and secure environment. I whole-heartedly recommend Jean as a therapist.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jean helped me get through my divorce. I spent a lot of time crying and she spent a lot of time listening. I dont know how I would have pulled through without her. She also has counseled me about dealing with my aging parents. She is a person of great compassion and wisdom. Maggie T.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have worked closely with Jean over the last three years. I find her to be an exceptionally warm, caring and conscientious professional. I would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking someone of exceptional skill and heart.
Diana ShImkus, LCSW, EverydayMind.com
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have known Jean for almost 15 years, and during that time I have watched her capacity to work with others grow with her compassionate heart. Jean truly cares about the well-being of others and is able to assist them in finding the inner strength necessary to deal with whatever challenges they may be facing. I highly recommend her if you are looking for a caring, empathetic, and competent therapist. - Ed Fox, MindBodyAwakening.org
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have been working with Jean for over 6 months. When I started I was in the middle of a traumatic situation and my hope was at an all time low. In a short period of time, I feel like myself again....... hopeful and optimistic. Jean is empathic, kind, wise, insightful, warm, and she knows her stuff! I cannot recommend her highly enough. - Mary S.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jean is an absolute gem! I searched for several years and drudged through the drudgery with less than ideal therapists. Let me tell you, when I finally started seeing and speaking to Jean, everything changed. For the first time in my life, I felt heard, felt safe, felt valued, felt respected, and had no problem opening up. Our sessions were short lived due to me moving back home to the east coast, but I absolutely felt respected, valued, and appreciated every session that I had and all of the information that I had learned was far more than valuable. I have been putting everything that I have learned into person practice and while I am far from perfect, I have a more solid foundation of understanding how and why I react to things the way that I do and overall I just feel so much lighter and more care free. If you are fortunate enough to speak to her, please treasure it and soak in all that you can. Thank you so much for your help and support!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I am so blessed to have had a chance to see Jean Rothman. Her influence was a huge part in the immense growth and healing in my life! I had originally gone to see my college counselor and Jean's office was on the list of places I should call, glad I did!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jean genuinely cares about her clients and personalizes therapy methods to who you are and experiences you've had. She's easy to talk to and listens to everything you say. I've come into a session where she started out by telling me she thought about was said last time and here are some ideas on how we can move forward. It definitely made me feel like she not only listens, but cares about helping you. She helps build tools to help you cope, self-evaluate, and overall live a healthier lifestyle.
Highly recommend her! - AH
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jean is wonderful! She's a compassionate listener who offers both immediate and longer-term solutions for dealing with difficulties. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a great therapist.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have always appreciated Jean's immediate attunement to children and her skills and knowledge in assisting with parenting concerns. She brings a wealth of life experience along with compassion and understanding to her clients. She offers a deep connection in her work with women, making it a safe and secure environment. I whole-heartedly recommend Jean as a therapist.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jean helped me get through my divorce. I spent a lot of time crying and she spent a lot of time listening. I dont know how I would have pulled through without her. She also has counseled me about dealing with my aging parents. She is a person of great compassion and wisdom. Maggie T.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have worked closely with Jean over the last three years. I find her to be an exceptionally warm, caring and conscientious professional. I would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking someone of exceptional skill and heart.
Diana ShImkus, LCSW, EverydayMind.com
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have known Jean for almost 15 years, and during that time I have watched her capacity to work with others grow with her compassionate heart. Jean truly cares about the well-being of others and is able to assist them in finding the inner strength necessary to deal with whatever challenges they may be facing. I highly recommend her if you are looking for a caring, empathetic, and competent therapist. - Ed Fox, MindBodyAwakening.org
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have been working with Jean for over 6 months. When I started I was in the middle of a traumatic situation and my hope was at an all time low. In a short period of time, I feel like myself again....... hopeful and optimistic. Jean is empathic, kind, wise, insightful, warm, and she knows her stuff! I cannot recommend her highly enough. - Mary S.
WHAT is the DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COACHING AND THERAPY?
A therapist is licensed and regulated by the government, after many years of schooling and a 3,000-hour internship. S/he has legal and ethical codes that must be followed when practicing with a client. Coaches are currently not regulated by the state or federal government, so there are no laws governing their profession to protect the client.
In general, therapy can help people with mental and emotional problems or suffering, such as depression, anxiety, stress, relationship difficulties, and so on. Coaching, on the other hand, is more about helping a client achieve a desired goal, and is more often used for career development and advancement.
According to the Business and Professions Code Section 4980.02 of the State of California, Marriage and Family therapists work with clients on their interpersonal interactions to help them achieve more adequate, satisfying and productive relationships, whether with others or with themselves. This is done through the use, application and integration of diagnosis, assessment, prognosis and treatment of mental disorders. Coaches, however, may not diagnose or treat a mental illness. Nor can they legally work with people to relieve mental and/or emotional suffering.
When you work with a coach, you do not have the same rights to confidentiality and privilege* that you would if you work with a therapist. In addition, coaching fees are not covered by health insurance.
The information above is taken from an article in The Therapist, July/August 2015. I would like to add that I see the relational aspect of therapy versus coaching as key. Studies have shown us over and over that it is the relationship with the therapist that accounts for much of the success of therapy, no matter what theory a therapist might use. In therapy, I work to help you feel a very non-judgmental, supportive, compassionate presence with me because I understand the importance of the relationship and how crucial it is to be able to trust your therapist. When I do coaching, my focus is not so much on the relationship with the client (although of course I am still non-judgmental and supportive). Rather my focus when coaching is on providing the client with ideas and advice to help them advance in life in whatever area they feel stuck in, not to treat a mental or emotional problem. This is a different dynamic and will feel quite different than being in a therapeutic relationship. (Just think about your Little League or other sports' coach when you were young. They were probably on the sidelines and in your face shouting encouragement and advice. This is an appropriate action for a coach, but not for a therapist.)
I hope this information has given you a good understanding of the difference between coaching and therapy. I'm happy to discuss it further with you if you are not sure which type of services you need. Please feel free to call or email me.
______________________________________
*Privilege requires a therapist to withhold a client's record and not give testimony in court when a subpoena is served and the client has not waived the therapist-patient privilege or authorized the release of his or her records.
A therapist is licensed and regulated by the government, after many years of schooling and a 3,000-hour internship. S/he has legal and ethical codes that must be followed when practicing with a client. Coaches are currently not regulated by the state or federal government, so there are no laws governing their profession to protect the client.
In general, therapy can help people with mental and emotional problems or suffering, such as depression, anxiety, stress, relationship difficulties, and so on. Coaching, on the other hand, is more about helping a client achieve a desired goal, and is more often used for career development and advancement.
According to the Business and Professions Code Section 4980.02 of the State of California, Marriage and Family therapists work with clients on their interpersonal interactions to help them achieve more adequate, satisfying and productive relationships, whether with others or with themselves. This is done through the use, application and integration of diagnosis, assessment, prognosis and treatment of mental disorders. Coaches, however, may not diagnose or treat a mental illness. Nor can they legally work with people to relieve mental and/or emotional suffering.
When you work with a coach, you do not have the same rights to confidentiality and privilege* that you would if you work with a therapist. In addition, coaching fees are not covered by health insurance.
The information above is taken from an article in The Therapist, July/August 2015. I would like to add that I see the relational aspect of therapy versus coaching as key. Studies have shown us over and over that it is the relationship with the therapist that accounts for much of the success of therapy, no matter what theory a therapist might use. In therapy, I work to help you feel a very non-judgmental, supportive, compassionate presence with me because I understand the importance of the relationship and how crucial it is to be able to trust your therapist. When I do coaching, my focus is not so much on the relationship with the client (although of course I am still non-judgmental and supportive). Rather my focus when coaching is on providing the client with ideas and advice to help them advance in life in whatever area they feel stuck in, not to treat a mental or emotional problem. This is a different dynamic and will feel quite different than being in a therapeutic relationship. (Just think about your Little League or other sports' coach when you were young. They were probably on the sidelines and in your face shouting encouragement and advice. This is an appropriate action for a coach, but not for a therapist.)
I hope this information has given you a good understanding of the difference between coaching and therapy. I'm happy to discuss it further with you if you are not sure which type of services you need. Please feel free to call or email me.
______________________________________
*Privilege requires a therapist to withhold a client's record and not give testimony in court when a subpoena is served and the client has not waived the therapist-patient privilege or authorized the release of his or her records.
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
Your Information. Your Rights. Our Responsibilities.
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.
Your Rights
You have the right to:
You have some choices in the way that we use and share information as we:
We may use and share your information as we:
Your Rights
When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. This section explains your rights and some of our responsibilities to help you.
Get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record
You can ask to see or get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other health information we have about you. Ask us how to do this.
We will provide a copy or a summary of your health information, usually within 30 days of your request. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
Ask us to correct your medical record
You can ask us to correct health information about you that you think is incorrect or incomplete. Ask us how to do this.
We may say “no” to your request, but we’ll tell you why in writing within 60 days.
Request confidential communications
You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example, home or office phone) or to send mail to a different address. We will say “yes” to all reasonable requests.
Ask us to limit what we use or share
You can ask us not to use or share certain health information for treatment, payment, or our operations. We are not required to agree to your request, and we may say “no” if it would affect your care.
If you pay for a service or health care item out-of-pocket in full, you can ask us not to share that information for the purpose of payment or our operations with your health insurer. We will say “yes” unless a law requires us to share that information.
Get a list of those with whom we’ve shared information
You can ask for a list (accounting) of the times we’ve shared your health information for six years prior to the date you ask, who we shared it with, and why.
We will include all the disclosures except for those about treatment, payment, and health care operations, and certain other disclosures (such as any you asked us to make). We’ll provide one accounting a year for free but will charge a reasonable, cost-based fee if you ask for another one within 12 months.
Get a copy of this privacy notice
You can ask for a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive the notice electronically. We will provide you with a paper copy promptly.
Choose someone to act for you
If you have given someone medical power of attorney or if someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information.
We will make sure the person has this authority and can act for you before we take any action.
File a complaint if you feel your rights are violated
You can complain if you feel we have violated your rights by contacting us using the information on page 1.
You can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by sending a letter to 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201, calling 1-877-696-6775, or visiting www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/.
We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Your Choices
For certain health information, you can tell us your choices about what we share. If you have a clear preference for how we share your information in the situations described below, talk to us. Tell us what you want us to do, and we will follow your instructions.
In these cases, you have both the right and choice to tell us to:
Our Uses and Disclosures
How do we typically use or share your health information?
We typically use or share your health information in the following ways.
Treat you
We can use your health information and share it with other professionals who are treating you.
Example: A doctor treating you for an injury asks another doctor about your overall health condition.
Run our organization
We can use and share your health information to run our practice, improve your care, and contact you when necessary.
Example: We use health information about you to manage your treatment and services.
Bill for your services
We can use and share your health information to bill and get payment from health plans or other entities.
Example: We give information about you to your health insurance plan so it will pay for your services.
How else can we use or share your health information?
We are allowed or required to share your information in other ways – usually in ways that contribute to the public good, such as public health and research. We have to meet many conditions in the law before we can share your information for these purposes. For more information see: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/index.html.
Help with public health and safety issues
We can share health information about you for certain situations such as:
We can use or share your information for health research.
Comply with the law
We will share information about you if state or federal laws require it, including with the Department of Health and Human Services if it wants to see that we’re complying with federal privacy law.
Respond to organ and tissue donation requests
We can share health information about you with organ procurement organizations.
Work with a medical examiner or funeral director
We can share health information with a coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director when an individual dies.
Address workers’ compensation, law enforcement, and other government requests
We can use or share health information about you:
For workers’ compensation claims
For law enforcement purposes or with a law enforcement official
With health oversight agencies for activities authorized by law
For special government functions such as military, national security, and presidential protective services
Respond to lawsuits and legal actions
We can share health information about you in response to a court or administrative order, or in response to a subpoena.
Our Responsibilities
We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and give you a copy of it.
We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing. If you tell us we can, you may change your mind at any time. Let us know in writing if you change your mind.
For more information see: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/noticepp.html.
Changes to the Terms of this Notice
We can change the terms of this notice, and the changes will apply to all information we have about you. The new notice will be available upon request, in our office, and on our web site.
Effective Date of this Notice: NOV. 1, 2015
Your Information. Your Rights. Our Responsibilities.
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.
Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Get a copy of your paper or electronic medical record
- Correct your paper or electronic medical record
- Request confidential communication
- Ask us to limit the information we share
- Get a list of those with whom we’ve shared your information
- Get a copy of this privacy notice
- Choose someone to act for you
- File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated
You have some choices in the way that we use and share information as we:
- Tell family and friends about your condition
- Provide disaster relief
- Include you in a hospital directory
- Provide mental health care
- Market our services and sell your information
- Raise funds
We may use and share your information as we:
Your Rights
When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. This section explains your rights and some of our responsibilities to help you.
Get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record
You can ask to see or get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other health information we have about you. Ask us how to do this.
We will provide a copy or a summary of your health information, usually within 30 days of your request. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
Ask us to correct your medical record
You can ask us to correct health information about you that you think is incorrect or incomplete. Ask us how to do this.
We may say “no” to your request, but we’ll tell you why in writing within 60 days.
Request confidential communications
You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example, home or office phone) or to send mail to a different address. We will say “yes” to all reasonable requests.
Ask us to limit what we use or share
You can ask us not to use or share certain health information for treatment, payment, or our operations. We are not required to agree to your request, and we may say “no” if it would affect your care.
If you pay for a service or health care item out-of-pocket in full, you can ask us not to share that information for the purpose of payment or our operations with your health insurer. We will say “yes” unless a law requires us to share that information.
Get a list of those with whom we’ve shared information
You can ask for a list (accounting) of the times we’ve shared your health information for six years prior to the date you ask, who we shared it with, and why.
We will include all the disclosures except for those about treatment, payment, and health care operations, and certain other disclosures (such as any you asked us to make). We’ll provide one accounting a year for free but will charge a reasonable, cost-based fee if you ask for another one within 12 months.
Get a copy of this privacy notice
You can ask for a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive the notice electronically. We will provide you with a paper copy promptly.
Choose someone to act for you
If you have given someone medical power of attorney or if someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information.
We will make sure the person has this authority and can act for you before we take any action.
File a complaint if you feel your rights are violated
You can complain if you feel we have violated your rights by contacting us using the information on page 1.
You can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by sending a letter to 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201, calling 1-877-696-6775, or visiting www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/.
We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Your Choices
For certain health information, you can tell us your choices about what we share. If you have a clear preference for how we share your information in the situations described below, talk to us. Tell us what you want us to do, and we will follow your instructions.
In these cases, you have both the right and choice to tell us to:
- Share information with your family, close friends, or others involved in your care
- Share information in a disaster relief situation
- Include your information in a hospital directory
- If you are not able to tell us your preference, for example if you are unconscious, we may go ahead and share your information if we believe it is in your best interest. We may also share your information when needed to lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.
- Marketing purposes
- Sale of your information
- Most sharing of psychotherapy notes
- In the case of fundraising:
- We may contact you for fundraising efforts, but you can tell us not to contact you again.
Our Uses and Disclosures
How do we typically use or share your health information?
We typically use or share your health information in the following ways.
Treat you
We can use your health information and share it with other professionals who are treating you.
Example: A doctor treating you for an injury asks another doctor about your overall health condition.
Run our organization
We can use and share your health information to run our practice, improve your care, and contact you when necessary.
Example: We use health information about you to manage your treatment and services.
Bill for your services
We can use and share your health information to bill and get payment from health plans or other entities.
Example: We give information about you to your health insurance plan so it will pay for your services.
How else can we use or share your health information?
We are allowed or required to share your information in other ways – usually in ways that contribute to the public good, such as public health and research. We have to meet many conditions in the law before we can share your information for these purposes. For more information see: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/index.html.
Help with public health and safety issues
We can share health information about you for certain situations such as:
- Preventing disease
- Helping with product recalls
- Reporting adverse reactions to medications
- Reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
- Preventing or reducing a serious threat to anyone’s health or safety
We can use or share your information for health research.
Comply with the law
We will share information about you if state or federal laws require it, including with the Department of Health and Human Services if it wants to see that we’re complying with federal privacy law.
Respond to organ and tissue donation requests
We can share health information about you with organ procurement organizations.
Work with a medical examiner or funeral director
We can share health information with a coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director when an individual dies.
Address workers’ compensation, law enforcement, and other government requests
We can use or share health information about you:
For workers’ compensation claims
For law enforcement purposes or with a law enforcement official
With health oversight agencies for activities authorized by law
For special government functions such as military, national security, and presidential protective services
Respond to lawsuits and legal actions
We can share health information about you in response to a court or administrative order, or in response to a subpoena.
Our Responsibilities
We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and give you a copy of it.
We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing. If you tell us we can, you may change your mind at any time. Let us know in writing if you change your mind.
For more information see: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/noticepp.html.
Changes to the Terms of this Notice
We can change the terms of this notice, and the changes will apply to all information we have about you. The new notice will be available upon request, in our office, and on our web site.
Effective Date of this Notice: NOV. 1, 2015
Jean T. Rothman, MFT, is licensed by the State of California to counsel people anywhere in the state.
Jean T. Rothman, MFT, is licensed by the State of California and the State of Ohio to counsel people anywhere in either state.
I see private-pay clients and am an Out-of-Network provider for Anthem, Aetna and most other PPO plans.
Jean T. Rothman, MFT, is licensed by the State of California and the State of Ohio to counsel people anywhere in either state.
I see private-pay clients and am an Out-of-Network provider for Anthem, Aetna and most other PPO plans.