HIPAA Notice of
Privacy Practices
Effective Date: October 4, 2026
This Notice describes the privacy practices of Journey Counseling Center and applies to the protected health information (PHI) we create, receive, maintain, or transmit.
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN ACCESS THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
This Notice applies to Journey Counseling Center and its workforce members, including clinicians, trainees, administrative staff, and contractors who provide services under the practice.
I. Our Legal Duty to Protect Your Privacy
Journey Counseling Center is required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information (PHI). PHI refers to information that identifies you and relates to your physical or mental health, the healthcare services you receive, or payment for those services.
We are required to:
- Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
- Provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices.
- Follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect.
- Notify you following a breach of unsecured protected health information as required by law.
When using or disclosing PHI, we apply the HIPAA Minimum Necessary Standard when required by law. This standard does not apply to disclosures for treatment or other exceptions permitted under HIPAA.
II. How Your PHI May Be Used and Disclosed
A. Uses and Disclosures That Do Not Require Your Authorization
We may use or disclose your PHI without your written authorization for the following purposes:
Treatment
To provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare services. This may include consultations with other healthcare providers, referrals, telehealth services, electronic health records, and secure communication tools used to coordinate your care.
Payment
To obtain payment for services provided, including submitting claims to insurance companies, verifying benefits, or collecting payment.
Healthcare Operations
To support activities necessary to operate our practice, including quality improvement, supervision, staff training, credentialing, licensing, auditing, compliance activities, and other administrative functions.
Required by Law
When disclosure is required by federal, state, or local law.
B. Other Uses and Disclosures Permitted Without Authorization
HIPAA and other applicable laws also permit or require us to disclose PHI in certain circumstances, including:
- Public health reporting
- Health oversight activities
- Judicial or administrative proceedings
- Certain law enforcement purposes
- To avert a serious threat to the health or safety of you or others, as permitted by law
- Reporting suspected child abuse or neglect
- Reporting abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults when required by law
- Workers’ compensation claims
- National security and other specialized governmental functions
- Coroners, medical examiners, or funeral directors, as permitted by law
C. Your Choices Regarding Certain Uses and Disclosures
In certain circumstances, you may tell us your preferences about how we share your protected health information. This may include sharing relevant information with family members, close friends, or others involved in your care or payment for your care.
If you are unable to tell us your preference, such as in an emergency or when you are incapacitated, we may share relevant information when permitted by law and when we determine that doing so is in your best interest. We may also use or disclose information when necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety, as permitted by law.
D. Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Written Authorization
We will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your PHI for purposes not described in this Notice, including:
- Marketing communications when authorization is required
- Sale of protected health information
- Most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes
Psychotherapy notes are maintained separately from the clinical record and generally require your written authorization before they may be disclosed, except as otherwise permitted or required by law.
You may revoke your authorization at any time in writing. Revocation will not affect actions already taken in reliance on your authorization.
E. Substance Use Disorder Records
Certain substance use disorder records received by Journey Counseling Center from a program subject to 42 CFR Part 2 may be subject to additional federal confidentiality protections. When Journey Counseling Center receives records protected by 42 CFR Part 2, we will use and disclose those records in accordance with applicable federal law.
Records protected by 42 CFR Part 2 generally may not be used or disclosed in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings against you unless you provide specific written consent or the use or disclosure is otherwise permitted by law.
III. Your Rights Regarding Your PHI
You have the following rights under HIPAA:
Right to Access
You may request to inspect or receive a copy of your protected health information, including an electronic copy when available. We will respond within the timeframes required by applicable law. A reasonable, cost-based fee may apply for certain copies as permitted by law.
Right to Request an Amendment
If you believe information in your record is inaccurate or incomplete, you may request that we amend your record. We may deny your request in certain circumstances permitted by law, but we will provide a written explanation if we do so.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You may request an accounting of certain disclosures of your protected health information made during the six years prior to the date of your request. The accounting will include disclosures required by law to be included and generally will not include certain disclosures made for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations; disclosures made pursuant to your authorization; or other disclosures excluded by law.
We will provide one accounting in any 12-month period at no charge. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for additional requests within the same 12-month period and will inform you of the cost before proceeding.
Right to Request Restrictions
You may request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures of your PHI. Although we are not required to agree to most requested restrictions, we must comply with a request not to disclose information to your health plan when you have paid for the service in full out of pocket and other legal requirements are met.
Right to Request Confidential Communications
You may request that we communicate with you in a specific manner or at a specific location. We will accommodate reasonable requests as required by law.
Right to Choose Someone to Act for You
If a person has legal authority to act on your behalf, such as through a healthcare power of attorney or legal guardianship, that person may exercise your rights and make choices regarding your protected health information to the extent permitted by law. We will verify the person’s authority before allowing that person to act on your behalf.
Right to a Copy of This Notice
You have the right to receive a paper or electronic copy of this Notice at any time.
Right to File a Complaint
You have the right to file a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. You may file a complaint with Journey Counseling Center or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. Journey Counseling Center will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
IV. Breach Notification
If a breach of your unsecured protected health information occurs, we will notify you without unreasonable delay and no later than 60 days after discovery of the breach, as required by federal law.
V. Protected Health Information After Death
Your protected health information remains protected under HIPAA for 50 years following your death. During that period, disclosures will be made only as permitted or required by law, including to legally authorized personal representatives and others permitted by HIPAA.
VI. Michigan Privacy Protections
In addition to HIPAA, Journey Counseling Center complies with applicable Michigan laws governing the privacy and confidentiality of health information, including the Michigan Mental Health Code and the Michigan Public Health Code.
These laws may provide additional protections beyond HIPAA. For example:
- Certain mental health records receive additional protections under Michigan law.
- Certain disclosures may require additional authorization or may be subject to additional legal restrictions.
- We are required to report suspected child abuse, neglect, or other situations as mandated by Michigan law.
- Additional confidentiality requirements may apply for certain Medicaid services or other state-regulated programs.
When Michigan law provides greater privacy protection than federal law, Journey Counseling Center will follow the more protective requirement when applicable.
VII. Questions or Complaints
If you have questions about this Notice or believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may contact our Privacy Officer.
Privacy Officer – Samantha Schalk, LMSW
Journey Counseling Center
4771 2 Mile Road, Suite A
Bay City, MI 48706
Phone: (989) 778-2323
Email: [email protected]
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights.
Website: HHS Office for Civil Rights complaint portal
Journey Counseling Center will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
VIII. Changes to This Notice
Journey Counseling Center reserves the right to revise this Notice at any time. Any revised Notice will apply to all protected health information maintained by the practice and will become effective on the date indicated in the revised Notice.
The current Notice of Privacy Practices is available in our office, on our website, and upon request.