Notice of Privacy Practices
Oral and Facial Surgery of MS
Effective Date: February 16, 2026
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.
This Notice describes how Oral & Facial Surgery of MS (“we,” “our,” or “us”) may use and disclose your protected health information (“PHI”) and your rights regarding that information.
Our Duties
We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your PHI, provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, and notify you following a breach of unsecured PHI.
We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and this Notice at any time. Any changes will apply to all PHI we maintain. Updated notices will be available in our office and on our website if applicable.
How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information
1. Treatment
We may use and disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your health care and related services, including referrals and consultations between providers.
2. Payment
We may use and disclose your PHI to obtain payment for services provided, including billing, claims management, and determining eligibility or medical necessity.
3. Health Care Operations
We may use your PHI for operations necessary to run our practice, including:
- Quality assessment and improvement activities
- Training and supervision
- Licensing and accreditation
- Audits and compliance
- Business planning and administration
- Responding to patient inquiries and complaints
4. Appointment Reminders & Health-Related Information
We may contact you with appointment reminders or information about treatment options, health-related benefits, services, or programs.
5. Individuals Involved in Your Care
Unless you object, we may disclose relevant PHI to family members or others involved in your care or payment for your care.
6. Business Associates
We may share PHI with third-party business associates who perform services on our behalf. They are required to protect your information.
7. Public Health & Safety
We may disclose PHI for public health activities, including:
- Preventing or controlling disease
- Reporting abuse or neglect
- Reporting adverse events or product recalls
8. Health Oversight Activities
We may disclose PHI to oversight agencies for audits, inspections, investigations, or licensing.
9. Law Enforcement & Legal Proceedings
We may disclose PHI in response to court orders, subpoenas, or as otherwise required by law.
10. Specialized Government Functions
We may disclose PHI for military, national security, correctional institution, or law enforcement purposes as permitted by law.
11. Workers’ Compensation
We may disclose PHI as authorized by workers’ compensation laws.
12. Organ & Tissue Donation
If you are an organ donor, we may disclose PHI to appropriate organizations as permitted by law.
13. Coroners & Funeral Directors
We may disclose PHI to identify a deceased person or determine cause of death.
14. Research
We may use or disclose PHI for research when approved by appropriate review boards.
15. To Avert a Serious Threat
We may disclose PHI to prevent a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.
16. Fundraising
We may use limited PHI for fundraising purposes. You have the right to opt out of fundraising communications.
Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Written Authorization
We will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your PHI for:
- Marketing communications (with certain exceptions)
- Sale of PHI
- Most uses of psychotherapy notes
- Any other uses not described in this Notice
You may revoke your authorization in writing at any time.
Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
1. Right to a Copy of This Notice
You may request a paper or electronic copy at any time.
2. Right to Request Restrictions
You may request limits on how we use or disclose your PHI. Some restrictions must be requested in writing.
3. Right to Request Confidential Communications
You may request we contact you in a specific way or at a specific location.
4. Right to Inspect and Obtain Copies
You may inspect and obtain copies of your PHI, including electronic copies. Reasonable fees may apply.
5. Right to Request an Amendment
If you believe information in your record is incorrect, you may request an amendment in writing.
6. Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You may request a list of certain disclosures made in the previous six years.
7. Right to Electronic Copy & Direct Transmission
You may request that we send an electronic copy of your PHI to you or a third party.
8. Right to Be Notified of a Breach
You will be notified if your unsecured PHI is breached.
9. Right to Choose a Personal Representative
If someone has legal authority to act on your behalf, they may exercise your rights.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
We may use secure, HIPAA-compliant AI technologies to assist in treatment, payment, and health care operations.
AI tools will not use your PHI for product development, third-party training, or marketing purposes.
Questions or Complaints
If you have questions or believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may contact us. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Contact Us
Stephanie Steverson
266 Katherine Dr.
Flowood, MS 39232
File a Complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Phone: 1-877-696-6775
Website: https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/
Availability of This Notice
- This Notice is posted in our office.
- You will be offered a copy when services are first provided.
- You may request a paper or electronic copy at any time.
- If we maintain a website, this Notice will be posted there.