Privacy Policy

At New Jersey Behavioral Health Center (newjerseybhc.com), we are committed to providing high-quality substance abuse and mental health care while respecting and protecting your privacy.

We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your Protected Health Information (PHI), to provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, and to notify you in the event of a breach involving your unsecured PHI.

This Privacy Policy outlines how we handle your Protected Health Information (PHI) in compliance with federal and state laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

What Is Protected Health Information (PHI)?

PHI refers to any information that can identify you and relates to your physical or mental health condition that you’re seeking treatment for, the care you receive at our facility, or insurance and payment for that care.

How We Use and Share Your Information

We may use or disclose your PHI in the following ways:

1. For Treatment

We may share your PHI among members of your care team, including doctors, nurses, therapists, psychiatrists, and case managers, to coordinate and provide your treatment.

2. For Payment

We may use your PHI to bill and receive payment from insurance providers or other responsible parties for services rendered.

3. For Healthcare Operations

Your PHI may be used for operational purposes such as staff training, licensing, quality assessment, audits, or facility accreditation.

4. With Business Associates

We may share PHI with third-party service providers (called Business Associates) that help us operate. These entities are legally required to safeguard your information.

5. As Required by Law

We may disclose your PHI when required by federal, state, or local law, such as for public health reporting or audits by the Department of Health and Human Services.

6. Legal and Safety Reasons

We may release PHI:

• In response to a valid court order or subpoena
• To law enforcement for specific legal purposes

If we believe it’s necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and immediate threat to your safety or the safety of others

7. Cases of Abuse or Neglect

If we suspect child abuse, elder abuse, or neglect, we may report it to the proper authorities, as required by state law.

8. Emergency Situations

We may disclose PHI to medical professionals in an emergency when you are unable to communicate your wishes.

9. Public Health and Research

We may use your information for research or public health activities if permitted by law and approved by an Institutional Review Board when necessary.

10. Upon Your Written Authorization

Any other use or disclosure of your PHI, such as for marketing purposes or sharing psychotherapy notes, will only be done with your written consent. You can revoke this authorization at any time by submitting a written request.

Your Patient Rights Regarding Your PHI

You have the following rights related to your health information:

Access Your Records

You may request to view or receive a copy of your medical records. Requests will be fulfilled within 30 days, and a reasonable fee may apply for copies.

Request Corrections

If you believe your records are inaccurate or incomplete, you can request a correction. We will respond in writing within 60 days.

Request Confidential Communications

You may ask us to contact you in a specific way (e.g., at a different phone number or mailing address), and we will honor all reasonable requests.

Limit Disclosures

You can ask us to restrict how we use or share your PHI for treatment, payment, or operations. While we are not required to agree to all requests, we will do our best to accommodate them.

Restrict Insurance Disclosure for Self-Paid Services

If you pay in full for a service out of pocket, you may request that we do not share that information with your insurance provider. We are required to honor this request unless the law says otherwise.

Receive an Official Record of Disclosures

You can ask for a list of times we’ve shared your PHI over the past six years, excluding disclosures made for treatment, payment, or operations.

Receive a Copy of This Privacy Policy

You may request a printed copy of this policy at any time, even if you previously agreed to receive it electronically.

Designate a Personal Representative

If someone has legal authority (such as medical power of attorney), they may exercise your rights on your behalf.

File a Complaint

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We will not retaliate against you for doing so.

Your Preferences

In certain situations, you have the right to decide how your PHI is used or shared. This includes:

• Sharing information with friends or family members involved in your care
• Providing information to emergency responders during disaster relief efforts

If you are unable to express your wishes, we may share information only if we believe it’s in your best interest and permitted by law.

We will never sell your PHI or use it for marketing purposes without getting your explicit written authorization beforehand.

Updates to This Policy

This privacy policy was updated on 4/14/2025. We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in laws or our practices. Any updates will apply to all PHI we maintain and will be made available on our website and at our facility upon request.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise any of your rights, please contact:

Name: New Jersey Behavioral Health Center

Address: 120 Old Camplain Rd

Hillsborough, NJ 08844

Phone: 732-751-4750

Email: admissions@newjerseybhc.com