Your Privacy Matters to Us

Privacy & HIPAA Policy

your privacy and confidentiality are our highest priorities. We are committed to protecting your personal health information in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), as well as applicable state and federal laws, including 42 CFR Part 2.

How Your Health Information Is Used

Your protected health information (PHI) may be used and disclosed in the following ways:

• To conduct, coordinate, and manage your treatment, including communication between medical and mental health providers directly or indirectly involved in your care.

• To obtain payment from insurance providers or other third-party payers.

• To support Agape’s internal operations such as program evaluation and service improvement. Any such use will involve only aggregated, non-identifiable data.

We will not use or disclose your health records for research purposes without your explicit permission.

Your Rights

Under HIPAA and applicable privacy regulations, you have the right to:

• Access and request copies of your medical records.

• Request amendments to your health information.

• Receive a list of disclosures made of your PHI.

• Request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures.

• Request confidential communications.

You may request a copy of Agape’s full Privacy Notice at any time. This notice provides detailed information about your rights and how to exercise them.

Authorization & Consent

We will only disclose your health information beyond treatment, payment, and healthcare operations with your written authorization, unless otherwise required or permitted by law. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent that action has already been taken based on it. The authorization will automatically expire when your services with Agape end, unless you specify an earlier expiration in writing.

Your care at Agape will not be conditioned on your agreement to sign an authorization, except in specific cases where services are provided solely for the purpose of disclosing information to a third party.

Confidentiality for Substance Use Disorder Treatment

If you are receiving substance use disorder services, your information is further protected under 42 CFR Part 2. These protections restrict the use and disclosure of treatment records and require your specific written consent for most disclosures.

SMS Text Message Communication Notice

Transformation House offers SMS text messaging in selected programs. Text messages are used solely for purposes such as appointment reminders, confirmations, rescheduling, cancellations, or direct communication from Transformation House Intake staff.

No mobile information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All other categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.

Standard message or data rates may apply depending on your mobile plan.

Participation in text messaging is optional. You may withdraw your consent at any time by contacting Transformation House Intake staff in writing.

Please do not send Protected Health Information (PHI) by text message. Any PHI received by Transformation House via text will be deleted upon review and identification.

If you wish to stop receiving texts, contact your Counselor or Transformation House Intake staff to complete the opt-out process.

To authorize text communication, consent must be provided by the person legally responsible for the mobile account, who must be at least 18 years old and agree to all terms and conditions for SMS text messaging services.