Notice of Privacy Practices
South Carolina Center for Integrative Medicine (SCCIM)
Effective Date: February 16, 2026
Your Information. Your Rights. Our Responsibilities.
This Notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can access this information. Please review it carefully.
Your Rights
You have the following rights regarding your protected health information (PHI):
Access to Your Records
You may request a copy of your paper or electronic medical record and other health information we maintain about you.
We will provide a copy or summary within 30 days of your request.
A reasonable, cost-based fee may apply.
Request Corrections
You may request that we correct information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete.
We may deny your request but will provide a written explanation within 60 days.
Request Confidential Communications
You may request that we contact you in a specific way (for example, at a particular phone number or mailing address).
We will accommodate all reasonable requests.
Request Restrictions
You may request limitations on how we use or share your information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
We are not required to agree, but if we do, we will comply unless emergency treatment requires otherwise.
If you pay in full out-of-pocket for a service, you may request that we not share that information with your health insurer. We will comply unless disclosure is legally required.
Accounting of Disclosures
You may request a list of disclosures we have made of your health information within the past six (6) years.
This excludes disclosures for treatment, payment, healthcare operations, and certain other permitted uses.
One accounting per year is free; additional requests may incur a reasonable fee.
Obtain a Copy of This Notice
You may request a paper copy of this Notice at any time.
Choose a Personal Representative
If someone has legal authority (such as medical power of attorney or legal guardianship), that person may exercise your rights on your behalf.
File a Complaint
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may:
Contact our Privacy Official (see below), or
File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
Office for Civil Rights
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Phone: 1-877-696-6775
Website: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint/index.html
We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Your Choices
You may tell us how you would like us to share your information in the following situations:
Sharing information with family members, friends, or others involved in your care
Disaster relief situations
Inclusion in a hospital directory (if applicable)
If you are unable to communicate your preferences (for example, in an emergency), we may share information if we determine it is in your best interest or necessary to prevent a serious threat to health or safety.
Marketing and Sale of Information
We do not sell your information.
We will never use or share your information for marketing purposes without your written authorization.
Psychotherapy Notes
We will not share psychotherapy notes without your written permission, except as permitted by law.
Fundraising
SCCIM does not use patient information for fundraising purposes.
How We Use and Disclose Your Information
We may use and share your health information for the following purposes:
Treatment
To provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare.
Example: Sharing information with another provider involved in your care.
Payment
To bill and collect payment from health plans or other entities.
Healthcare Operations
To operate and improve our practice, evaluate performance, ensure quality care, and contact you when necessary.
Additional Permitted Uses and Disclosures
We may also use or disclose your information when required or permitted by law, including:
Public health and safety activities
Reporting abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
Preventing serious threats to health or safety
Health research (subject to legal safeguards)
Health oversight activities
Workers’ compensation claims
Law enforcement requests
Judicial or administrative proceedings (court orders or subpoenas)
Organ and tissue donation
Coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director services
Military, national security, or other specialized government functions
Compliance with federal and South Carolina law
We will disclose information to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if required to demonstrate compliance with HIPAA regulations.
Substance Use Disorder Records (42 CFR Part 2)
If we maintain substance use disorder (SUD) treatment records protected under 42 CFR Part 2:
We will not use or disclose those records in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings against you without:
Your written consent, or
A court order and subpoena.
We will provide clear notice and obtain consent when required for any permitted uses under Part 2.
Our Responsibilities
SCCIM is required by law to:
Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information
Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices
Notify you promptly if a breach occurs that may compromise the privacy or security of your information
Follow the terms of this Notice currently in effect
We will not use or disclose your information beyond what is described in this Notice without your written authorization. You may revoke an authorization at any time in writing.
Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to change the terms of this Notice.
Any revised Notice will apply to all information we maintain and will be available:
In our office
On our website
Upon request
Contact Information
SCCIM Privacy Official:
Jessica Schuman
Email: officemanager@sccimed.org
Phone: (803) 386-8684
If you are contacted by anyone claiming to represent SCCIM regarding your health information and have concerns, please contact our office directly.