Privacy Policy

Notice of Privacy Practices

Updated: August 15, 2025

This Notice of Privacy Practices (the "Notice") provides information on how your health information is used and disclosed by our programs and your rights regarding that information. Our team is committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring that your health information is kept confidential. This notice applies to the prenatal and postpartum care services we provide and is in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Florida State Law and regulations from the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and other applicable federal statutes.

Who We Are:

Martin County Healthy Start Coalition offers prenatal and postpartum care services, but we do not perform deliveries. Our team and contracted providers travel throughout Martin County, Florida to provide these services.

Your Health Information:

We collect and maintain your personal health information to provide you with prenatal and postpartum care services. This includes but is not limited to:

• Personal identification information (name, address, date of birth, etc.)
• Health history and medical records
• Prenatal and postpartum care details
• Test results
• Prescription information

How We Use and Disclose Your Health Information:

Your health information may be used and disclosed for the following purposes:

1. Treatment: We may share your health information with other providers involved in your care, including specialists, community partners, contracted providers, laboratories, and the hospital where you choose to deliver.
2. Payment: We may use and disclose your information for billing purposes, including coordination with your insurance company, Medicaid or other payers to obtain payment for services rendered.
3. Healthcare Operations: We may use and disclose your information for our operational purposes, such as quality improvement activities, training, and audits to ensure that we continue providing you with the best care possible.
4. Legal and Regulatory Compliance: We may disclose your health information when required by law or in accordance with regulations from the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), the Florida Department of Health, and other federal or state regulatory bodies.
5. Appointment Reminders and Health Communications: We may use your contact information to remind you of upcoming appointments, to communicate regarding your care, or to send information about health-related services that may be of interest to you.
6. Emergencies: In the event of an emergency, your information may be shared with emergency medical personnel to ensure continuity of care.

Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information:

As a client, you have the following rights concerning your health information:

1. Right to Access and Copy Your Health Information: You have the right to request access to and copies of your health records. Requests must be made in writing.
2. Right to Request Corrections: If you believe your health information is inaccurate or incomplete, you may request that it be amended.
3. Right to Request Confidential Communication: You can request that we communicate with you in a specific way or at a specific location (e.g., by phone, email, or in writing).
4. Right to Request Restrictions: You may request that we limit how your health information is used or disclosed. While we are not required to agree to all requests, we will consider each request on a case-by-case basis.
5. Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You have the right to request an accounting of certain disclosures of your health information made by us for reasons other than treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.
6. Right to File a Complaint: If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you have the right to file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

How to Exercise Your Rights:

To exercise any of your rights outlined above, please contact our office using the contact information below.

Contact Information:

Martin County Healthy Start Coalition
735 S Colorado Ave, Suite 110/ Box 2
Stuart, FL. 34994
772-463-2888
ssuffich@mchealthystart.org