Please read the following information carefully. By choosing to use Care New England websites, you acknowledge and agree to the terms of our Legal Notices and our Disclaimer. Continuing to use Care New England websites indicates your acceptance of all terms and conditions of our Legal Notices and our Disclaimer. If you do not accept and agree to these terms and conditions, exit the website immediately.
Care New England and its member organization do not provide medical advice, diagnosis or instruction through its websites. If you need emergency treatment or services, call 911. Care New England is not responsible for how the information in its websites is used.
Content and information on Care New England websites are protected by copyright law, and may not be reproduced, modified, distributed, in entirety or part, without the prior written consent of Care New England. The sole exception is that, unless otherwise stated, users may print or download information from Care New England websites for personal, non-commercial use only, provided they identify the source of the material and include a statement that the materials are protected by copyright law. Permission to reprint or otherwise reproduce any document in whole or in part is prohibited, unless prior written consent is obtained from the copyright owner.
Care New England and its affiliates, suppliers, and other third parties mentioned on this site are neither responsible nor liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, punitive, or other damages whatsoever (including, without limitation those resulting from lost profits, lost data, or business interruption), arising out of or relating in any way to the site, site-related services and products, content or information contained within the site, and/or any hyperlinked website, whether based on warranty, contract, tort, or any other legal theory and whether or not advised of the possibility of such damages. Your sole remedy for dissatisfaction with the site, site-related services, and/or hyperlinked websites is to stop using the site and/or those services. Applicable law may not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
Although Care New England attempts to ensure the integrity and accurateness of its websites, it makes no guarantees whatsoever as to the correctness or accuracy of the Site. It is possible that the Site could include typographical errors, inaccuracies or other errors, and that unauthorized additions, deletions and alterations could be made to the Site by third parties. In the event that an inaccuracy arises, please inform Care New England so that it can be corrected. Information contained on the Site may be changed or updated without notice.
Care New England may, but is not obligated to, monitor or review any areas of the Site where visitors transmit or post communications or communicate solely with each other, including, but not limited to, chat rooms, bulletin boards, and other user forums, and the content or any such communications. Care New England, however, will have no liability related to the content of any such communications, whether or not arising under the laws of copyright, libel, privacy, obscenity, or otherwise. Care New England retains the right to remove, in its sole discretion, communications that include any material deemed abusive, defamatory, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate.
Care New England makes no representations whatsoever about any other website that you may access through this Site. When you access a non-Care New England site, please understand that it is independent from Care New England, and that Care New England has no control over the content on that website. In addition, a hyperlink to a non-Care New England Website does not mean that Care New England endorses or accepts any responsibility for the content, or the use, of the linked site. It is up to you to take precautions to ensure that whatever you select for your use or download is free of such items as viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and other items of a destructive nature. If you decide to access any of the third party sites linked to this Site, you do this entirely at your own risk.
Persons or organizations who have other websites are permitted to link to any complete page on Care New England websites. Linking to specific elements on these websites, such as logos, trademarks, photographs, illustrations, online forms or surveys, is not permitted. Copying onto any other website or server of information, content, or material, including logos, trademarks, photographs, illustrations, online forms or surveys, in its entirety or part, is not permitted.
Terms and conditions stated in our Disclaimer and Legal Notices are entered into in the State of Rhode Island and will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Rode Island, exclusive of its choice of law rules. Each party to these terms and conditions submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in Providence, Rhode Island, and waives any jurisdictional, venue, or inconvenient forum objections to such courts. In any action to enforce these terms and conditions, the prevailing party will be entitled to costs and attorneys fees. In the event that any of the terms and conditions are held by a court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable, such provisions shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that these terms and conditions shall otherwise remain in full force and effect.
Effective Date: December 30, 2024
Date of Last Revision: December 20, 2024
This Privacy Policy explains how Care New England Health System and its member organizations listed below (together, referred to as “CNE”, “we”, “us” or “our”) may collect, disclose, maintain and use certain information about you when accessing the CNE website, https://www.carenewengland.org and its respective subpages and webpages which link to this Privacy Policy (“Sites”). This Privacy Policy applies to the following member organizations:
This Privacy Policy explains:
This Privacy Policy:
Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By accessing the Sites, you agree to this Privacy Policy and to our Legal Notices. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, you should not access our Sites. We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time for any reason and will make the updated Privacy Policy available here. Except as otherwise noted, the updated Privacy Policy will be effective as of the date it is posted on these Sites. By accessing the Sites, you agree that you are 18 years of age or older and are authorized to agree to this Privacy Policy and the Legal Notices. If you are under the age of 18, you may not access the Sites.
TYPES OF INFORMATION
When you access the Sites through the Internet, we (including our contracted service providers on our behalf), may collect certain identifiable information about you (“Personal Information”) as you browse and use the Sites. This may include information that you provide to us directly and information which is automatically collected when you access our Sites through the Internet.
Information You Directly Provide: We collect and maintain Personal Information which you may directly provide to us in connection with your access to our Sites includes:
Information We May Automatically Collect: We may collect and maintain certain information from you automatically when you visit our Sites (“Web Browsing Data”) including but not limited to:
Some of this Web Browsing Data we collect and maintain may be de-identified or anonymized (that is, cannot be reasonably used to identify you). We may aggregate, collect, maintain, use and disclose this de-identified data for any business purposes. De-identified data is not Personal Information and is not subject to this Privacy Policy. However, if we collect Web Browsing Data in a way that identifies you, it is Personal Information which we will only use and disclose as permitted by this Privacy Policy.
Cookies and Similar Technologies. We may automatically collect and maintain certain Web Browsing Data through use of cookies, pixels, web beacons and similar tracking technology. A “cookie” is a small text file stored on your browser or hard drive that allows your device to be identified as you browse through our Sites. If you visit our Sites again in the future, these cookies will recognize your device. The cookies that we set on our Sites are generally “first party” cookies, which means they stay on our Sites and collect information only when you interact with our Sites. Certain cookies are considered “necessary” to the operation of our Sites, while certain other improve your experience with our Sites and our operation of our Sites.
“Pixels” and “web beacons” are electronic images that can recognize or log certain data on your computer, such as if you view a website attached to the pixel or web beacon, and a description of such site and your activity there. These technologies help improve your experience and display more relevant information to you. We may also embed these within emails you may receive for informational, marketing or other purposes described by this Privacy Policy. By accessing our Sites, and agreeing to receive emails, you consent to our use of these types of technologies.
When you use a third party browser like Google or Safari to access our Sites, that third party may also place and use cookies, pixels or web beacons in connection with your use of that browser to access websites on the Internet. These are called “third party” cookies, which means the third party sets and controls these cookies and other technologies as you navigate websites, such as our Sites, using their browser. Many browsers allow you to choose to block cookies and similar tracking technologies. For example, if you use Google, Google may give you options to permit or deny cookies that Google may collect, maintain and use. We are not responsible for third party cookies that your third party browser may set and use, and you are responsible for reviewing the third party’s cookie and tracking technology policies to understand how the third party make collect your Personal Information through such technology.
PURPOSES FOR WHICH INFORMATION IS USED
We may collect, maintain and use your Personal Information as needed to operate, maintain, troubleshoot and improve our Sites, including but not limited to the following activities:
Information You Directly Provide:
Information We May Automatically Collect
PURPOSES FOR WHICH INFORMATION IS DISCLOSED (SHARED)
Although we generally maintain the privacy of your Personal Information, in certain circumstances, we may disclose (share with a third party) your Personal Information that we collect and maintain as a result of your access to our Sites. The purposes for which we disclose your Personal Information and the category of third party are described generally below.
THIRD PARTY CONTENT/WEBSITES
Our Sites may include, from time to time, content which may be created, maintained and made available by a third party, such as videos, audio clips, articles and other informational and educational resources (“Third Party Content”). We may also include links within our Sites to web pages operated and maintained by third parties, such as YouTube, WebMD, Google and similar informational and educational resources provided by third parties on the Internet (“Third Party Websites”). Some of these Third Party Websites may also relate to clinical trial registries and third party research opportunities, as well as to entities with which we may collaborate on research, or direct you to an external payment processor if you are paying a bill or making a donation. From time to time, these third party links may also be provided in our email or print brochures and newsletters.
We have no control over and are not affiliated in any way with Third Party Content and Third Party Websites. Third Party Content and Third Party Websites are provided by third parties on an “as is” basis and we make no representations or warranties about their accuracy, completeness, availability or appropriateness of such, and expressly disclaim any and all liability with respect to such Third Party Content and Third Party Websites. If you navigate to a Third Party Website by clicking a link on our Site, you should review the Third Party Websites privacy policy to understand how the third party may collect, maintain, use or disclose your personal information, including with other websites. Any personal information which a third party collects, maintains, uses and discloses about you when you access their websites is not subject to this Privacy Policy.
SECURITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
We implement industry standard technology in order to safeguard our Sites and the Personal Information which may be collected and maintained in connection with the Sites. We take seriously the privacy and security of your Personal Information and implement safeguards to protect such information from use or disclosure in a manner not permitted by this Privacy Policy.
Use of the Internet is inherently risky, and we unfortunately cannot guarantee all Personal Information will remain secure. We cannot guarantee that any links accessible through our Sites are error, virus or malware freed and expressly disclaim any and all liability with respect to such Third Party Content and Third Party Websites. If you have any privacy or security concerns or suspect a security issue, please contact us immediately at privacy@carene.org.
CHILDREN
We do not knowingly collect Personal Information or allow use of the Sites by children under the age of 18. If you are under the age of 18, you may not use the Sites.
INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS
We do not knowingly collect, maintain, use or disclose Personal Information from individuals who are not present within the United States. If you are not located in the United States, you should not access and use the Sites and you should contact us directly by phone. We maintain Personal Information only in the United States and in accordance with the laws of the United States.
REVISIONS
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time for any reason and will make the updated Privacy Policy in effect available here. The updated Privacy Policy will be effective as of the date it is posted unless we post a different effective date. You should review the Privacy Policy each time you access our Sites. If you do not agree with any changes, you may stop accessing our Sites at any time.
COMPLAINTS/QUESTIONS
If you have any questions or complaints about this Privacy Policy, please do not hesitate to contact us at privacy@carene.org. We welcome your comments and concerns.
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 will use the terms “CNE” or “we,” “us," or “our” to describe the entity's privacy practices, which are listed at the end of this notice and also found on our website at https://www.carenewengland.org/legal-notices.
WHO WILL FOLLOW THIS NOTICE: This notice describes the privacy practices that apply to our employees, medical staff, healthcare professionals, and ancillary members of the care team, including but not limited to individuals with access to your medical or billing records, trainees, students, and volunteers who are authorized to enter or access information in your medical record when they are providing services in our facilities. Please know that you may also receive a separate privacy notice from your healthcare provider, which may describe the privacy practices of his or her medical practice.
HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
TREATMENT: We can use your health information and share it with other professionals treating you inside and outside CNE. For example, your specialist may discuss your condition and treatment with your PCP.
PAYMENT: We can use and share your health information to bill and get payment from health plans or other entities. We give health information to your health insurance plan so that it will pay for your services.
HEALTH CARE OPERATIONS: We can use and share your health information to run our hospitals or physician practices, improve your care, and contact you when necessary. For example, we may use your health information to monitor quality care and teach healthcare professionals.
CONTACT YOU: CNE may use your health information to contact you at the primary address and telephone numbers you provide to us, including leaving messages at the telephone numbers with information about patient care issues, treatment choices, and follow-up care instructions with information that may be of interest to you which describes a health-related product or service we provide; or at the email address or other contact information you provide to assist us in activities described in this Notice.
FUNDRAISING: We may use your information to contact you for fundraising purposes. Donations are used to expand and support health care services and programs we provide to the community. If you do not wish to be contacted for fundraising purposes, call us at (401) 921-8526. Please provide your full name, address, and phone number. You are free to opt-out, and your decision will not impact your treatment or payment for services.
FACILITY DIRECTORY: We may share certain information about you while you are an inpatient at a CNE facility. You have the right to request that your name not be included in the directory.
FAMILY, FRIENDS, OR OTHERS: We may disclose certain information to a family member, your personal representative, or another person identified by you if you do not object or we think it's in your best interest to do so. If any of these individuals are involved in your care or payment for care, we may also disclose health information directly relevant to their involvement.
COMPLY WITH LAW: We will share information about you if state or federal laws require it, including with the Department of Health and Human Services.
PUBLIC HEALTH/SAFETY: We may share health information about you for certain situations, such as with public health authorities authorized by law to collect or receive such information to prevent or control disease, helping with product recalls, reporting adverse reactions to medications, reporting suspected abuse, neglect or domestic violence, and preventing or reducing a serious threat to anyone’s health or safety.
RESEARCH: We can share health information about you for research approved by a Research Committee or its designee or when written permission is not required by federal or state law. This also may include preparing for research or telling you about research studies you might be interested in.
MARKETING: We will not disclose your PHI for purposes that would constitute marketing without your written authorization. For example, we will not accept any payments from other organizations or individuals in exchange for making communications to you about treatments, therapies, health care providers, settings of care, case management, care coordination, products, or services unless you have given us your written authorization or unless the communication is permitted by law. That said, we may (1) provide refill reminders or communicate with you about a drug or biologic that is currently prescribed to you so long as any payment we receive for making the communication is reasonably related to the cost of making the communication or (2) market to you in a face-to-face encounter and give you promotional gifts of nominal value.
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH: We may use or disclose your reproductive health information for purposes related to your care including, treatment, payment and operations, and for other purposes as described by this Notice. We are prohibited from using or disclosing your PHI to conduct a criminal, civil or administrative investigation or to impose criminal, civil or administrative liability for the mere act of seeking, obtaining, providing or facilitating reproductive health care, or to identify any person for such purposes, unless you authorize such in writing. For example, we may not release PHI to another state seeking to prosecute you merely for obtaining a legal abortion in Rhode Island unless you sign a HIPAA authorization giving us permission to do so. We may be required to obtain a signed attestation prior to releasing any PHI potentially related to reproductive health where the request is made for health oversight, judicial and administrative proceedings, law enforcement, or coroner/medical examiner purposes that the requestor will not use the PHI for certain prohibited purposes unless you sign a HIPAA authorization giving us permission to do so. For example, if we receive a court order requiring disclosure of PHI potentially related to reproductive health information, we will generally require the court sign an attestation stating that the request is not for a purpose prohibited by HIPAA.
HEALTH OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES: We may share health information with a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law.
National Security and Military – We may use and disclose your protected health information to authorized federal officials for conducting national security and other intelligence activities, including providing protective services to the President and other officials. If you are a member of the armed forces, we may release information about you as required by military command authorities.
LAW ENFORCEMENT: We may share certain health information with law enforcement authorities for law enforcement purposes, such as:
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS: We may share health information about you in response to a legal or administrative order or in response to a subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process.
ORGAN/TISSUE DONATION: We can share health information about you with organ procurement organizations.
DECEASED INDIVIDUALS: Following your death, we may disclose health information to a coroner, medical examiner, and funeral directors as authorized by law. We are required to apply safeguards to protect your health information for 50 years following your death.
WORKERS COMPENSATION: We may disclose your health information as authorized by law for workers' compensation or similar programs that provide benefits for work-related injuries or illness.
THREATS TO HEALTH OR SAFETY: Under certain circumstances, we may use or disclose your health information to prevent a serious and imminent threat to health and safety.
INCIDENTAL USE OR DISCLOSURE: Certain incidental uses or disclosures of your information occur while we are providing service to you or conducting our business. For example, after surgery, the nurse or doctor may need to use your name to identify family members who may be waiting for you in a waiting area. Other individuals waiting in the same area may hear your name called. We will make reasonable efforts to limit these incidental uses and disclosures.
HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGES: We participate in one or more electronic health information exchanges, which permit us to exchange health information about you with others who are permitted to access your health information. Please note that the records of all of our patients will be accessible through the HIEs with which we participate, regardless of the state affiliation and our patients’ locations of care. If you do not want your health information shared with providers through an HIE, you may complete the HIE Opt Out form or contact CNE at the location you receive services to obtain information on how to opt-out.
We have chosen to participate in CurrentCare, the Rhode Island health information exchange (“HIE”). CurrentCare is also affiliated with and shares data with other HIEs, including those in Alaska, Connecticut, D.C., Maryland, and West Virginia. As permitted by law, your health information will be shared with this exchange to provide faster access and better coordination of care and assist providers and public health officials in making more informed decisions. At a minimum, your protected health information may be disclosed to:
You may "opt-out" and restrict access to your health information available through CurrentCare by calling 888-858-4815 or completing and submitting an opt-out form to CurrentCare by mail, fax, or through their website at CurrentCareRI.org.
BUSINESS ASSOCIATES: We will disclose your health information to our business associates and allow them to create, use, and disclose it to perform their services for us. For example, we may disclose your health information to an outside billing company that assists us in billing insurance companies.
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RECORDS: Substance use disorder treatment records received from programs subject to 42 C.F.R. Part 2, or testimony relaying the content of such records, shall not be used or disclosed in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings against the individual unless based on written consent, or a court order after notice and an opportunity to be heard is provided to the individual or the holder of the record as provided in 42 CFR Part 2. A court order authorizing use or disclosure must be accompanied by a subpoena or other legal requirement compelling disclosure before CNE would use or disclose the record.
Potential for Redisclosure: Your information disclosed pursuant to the Privacy Rule may be subject to redisclosure and no longer protected by the Privacy Rule.
USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRING YOUR AUTHORIZATION
There are many uses and disclosures we will make only with your authorization, such as:
If you authorize us to share your health information, you may revoke it at any time by giving us notice. Your revocation will not impact uses and disclosures made before the revocation.
YOUR RIGHTS
ACCESS TO HEALTH INFORMATION: With some exceptions, you have the right to request paper or electronic access or to inspect and obtain a copy of the health information we maintain about you. We'll provide the information in the form and format you request as long as it is readily available. If not, we will produce it in another readable electronic format as agreed. If you direct us to transmit your health information to another person, we will do so, provided your written, signed direction clearly states the recipient, location for delivery, and record content to be disclosed. We will reply to your request within 30 days. If we deny your request, we will tell you in writing the reason for the denial and explain what appeal right you have, if any. We may change a fee permitted by law.
REQUEST FOR RESTRICTIONS: You may ask that we limit how we use and/or disclose your health information. We will consider your request but are not legally required to agree to your request unless the disclosure is (i) to a health plan for purposes of carrying out payment or health care operations, and (ii) the health information pertains solely to a health care item or service for which you have paid us out of pocket and in full. We will follow your limits if we agree to your request, except in emergencies. You cannot limit the uses or disclosures we legally require or allow to make.
CORRECTION/AMENDMENT TO YOUR RECORD: If you feel that there is a mistake in your PHI or that important information is missing, you may request a correction. Your request must be in writing, include a reason for the request, and be addressed to the CNE affiliate where you received services or to the CNE Privacy Officer at the contact information contained in this Notice.
We will respond within 60 days of your request. We may deny your request if the PHI is (i) correct and complete, (ii) not created by us, (iii) not allowed to be shared with you, or (iv) not in our records. If we deny your request, we will inform you of the reason for the denial. You may then file a written statement of disagreement or ask that your original request and our denial be attached to all future disclosures of your PHI. If we agree to honor your request, we will change your PHI, inform you of the change, and tell any others who need to know about the change to your PHI.
ACCOUNTING OF DISCLOSURE: You have the right to receive a list of certain disclosures. We will respond to your request within 60 days. We will include disclosures made in the last six years unless you request a shorter time. We will not charge you for the list. However, if you make more than one request in the same year, we may charge you a fee for each additional request.
CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATION: You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your health information in a different way or at a different place. We will agree to your request if it is reasonable and specify the alternate means or location to contact you.
NOTICE IN THE CASE OF A BREACH: You have the right to receive notice of an access, acquisition, use, or disclosure of your health information that is not permitted by HIPAA if such access, acquisition, use, or disclosure compromises the security or privacy of your health information.
PAPER COPY OF THIS NOTICE: You may ask us for a copy of this Notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive this Notice electronically. This Notice is also available on the website at: https://www.carenewengland.org/legal-notices
COMPLAINTS OR QUESTIONS ON THIS NOTICE: If you have concerns about any of our privacy practices, questions about this Notice, or believe that your privacy rights have been violated, you may file an inquiry with the CNE Privacy Officer through its Compliance HelpLine at (877) 835-5263, www.MyComplianceReport.com or in writing at 800 Butler Dr, Providence RI 02906.
You may also file a complaint to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in writing at 200 Independence Avenue S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201.
Your complaint will not alter or affect the care we provide to you.
Care New England Affiliates:
Also, it may include other affiliates not listed above.
Effective Date of this Notice: February 24, 2025
For a version of this Notice in English, please click here.
For a version of this Notice in Spanish, please click here.
For a version of this Notice in Portuguese, please click here.
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES:
• HOW HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED
• YOUR RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
• HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT CONCERNING A VIOLATION OF THE PRIVACY OR SECURITY OF YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION, OR OF YOUR RIGHTS CONCERNING YOUR INFORMATION
YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO A COPY OF THIS NOTICE (IN PAPER OR ELECTRONIC FORM) AND TO DISCUSS IT WITH CARE NEW ENGLAND’S PRIVACY OFFICER THROUGH ITS COMPLIANCE HELPLINE AT (877) 835-5263 OR CNECOMPLIANCE@CARENE.ORG IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
This Notice applies to Care New England Health System’s substance use disorder programs regulated by federal law 42 U.S.C. § 290dd–2 and 42 C.F.R. Part 2, the Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records (“Part 2”) at Butler Hospital, Kent Hospital, The Providence Center, and Women and Infants (collectively “SUD Providers”). SUD Providers are required by law to maintain the privacy of your health information in accordance with federal and state law. In particular, we protect the privacy and security of your substance use disorder patient records in accordance with Part 2, in addition to HIPAA and applicable state law. This Notice of Privacy Practices (“Notice”) outlines our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to health information. We are required by law to maintain the privacy of records, provide you with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to records, and to notify you following a breach of your unsecured records. SUD Providers may provide health care through health care providers who are contracted with SUD Providers. All such health care providers have agreed to be bound by this Notice.
We are required to abide by the terms of the Notice currently in effect. We reserve the right to make changes to this Notice as permitted by law. We reserve the right to make the new Notice provisions effective for all records we currently maintain, as well as any records we receive in the future. If we make material or important changes to our privacy practices, we will promptly revise our Notice. Each version of the Notice will have an effective date listed. If we change this Notice, you can access the revised Notice on our website at https://www.carenewengland.org/legal-notices or from the receptionist at any SUD Provider facility. We will also post the Notice prominently in our SUD Provider facilities.
You have the right to file a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. If you would like to file a complaint about our privacy practices, you can do so by contacting the Care New England Privacy Office through its Compliance HelpLine at (877) 835-5263 or cnecompliance@carene.org. You also have the right to complain to the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the United States Attorney for the judicial district in which the violation occurs, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) office responsible for opioid treatment program oversight. You will not be penalized or otherwise retaliated against for filing a complaint.
OUR USES AND DISCLOSURES:
We will obtain your written consent to use and disclose your health information unless we are permitted to use or disclose your information without your consent under applicable law. The following categories describe the ways that we may use and disclose your health information without your written consent under Part 2. To the extent applicable state law is even more restrictive than Part 2 on how we use and disclose any of your health information, we comply with more restrictive state law.
Within Our Facilities. SUD Provider personnel who have a need for your information in connection with their duties that arise out of the provision of diagnosis, treatment, or referral for treatment may use and share your information. In addition, we may share your information with the entity that has direct administrative control over our substance use disorder program.
Emergency Treatment. In the event of a bona fide medical emergency in which your prior consent cannot be obtained, we may disclose your identifying information to medical personnel.
Business Associates/Qualified Service Organizations. We may disclose your information to third party “business associates” and “qualified service organizations” that perform various services on our behalf, such as transcription, billing, and collection services, and who agree to protect the privacy of your health information.
Audits. We may disclose your health information to entities who are legally permitted to perform audits of our facilities, such as government regulators. Those entities are required to maintain the privacy of your information.
Legal Proceedings. We may disclose your health information pursuant to court orders that meet the requirements of applicable law. Records, or testimony relaying the content of such records, shall not be used or disclosed in any civil, administrative, criminal, or legislative proceedings against you unless based on specific written consent or a court order. Records shall only be used or disclosed based on a court order after you or the record holder is provided notice and an opportunity to be heard, where required by law. A court order authorizing use or disclosure must be accompanied by a subpoena or other similar legal mandate compelling disclosure before the record is used or disclosed.
Reporting Crimes on Our Premises or Against Our Personnel. We may disclose a patient’s commission (or threatened commission) of a crime on our premises or against our personnel to a law enforcement agency or official. We are permitted to disclose information regarding the circumstances of such incident, including the suspect’s name, address, last known whereabouts, and status as a patient in our program.
Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect. We may report incidents of suspected child abuse and neglect to the appropriate state or local authorities.
Deceased Persons. We may disclose information relating to the cause of death of a patient under laws requiring the collection of death or other vital statistics or permitting inquiry into the cause of death.
Research. Under certain circumstances, we may disclose your health information to researchers who are conducting a specific research project. Your identifying information will never be published without your written consent.
FDA Reporting. We may disclose patient identifying information to medical personnel of the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) who assert a reason to believe that the health of any individual may be threatened by an error in the manufacture, labeling, or sale of a product under FDA jurisdiction, and that the information will be used for the exclusive purpose of notifying patients or their physicians of potential dangers.
De-identified Information. We may disclose your de-identified information as permitted by law, including for public health purposes.
OTHER USES AND DISCLOSURES:
Use or disclosure of your health information for any purpose other than those listed above requires your written consent. Some examples include:
• Substance Use Disorder Counseling Notes: We will not use and disclose your substance use disorder counseling notes without your written consent except as otherwise permitted by law.
• Release of Your Presence in Our Facility: We will not disclose your presence in treatment to individuals who may call or present in person at a facility unless you have provided your written consent permitting the release.
• Marketing: We will not use or disclose your health information for marketing purposes without your written consent except as otherwise permitted by law.
• Sale of Your Health Information: We will not sell your health information without your written consent except as otherwise permitted by law.
• Fundraising: We will not use your information for fundraising without first providing clear and conspicuous opportunity to elect not to receive fundraising communication. To opt out of fundraising, call (401) 921-8526.
You may provide a single consent for all future uses or disclosures for treatment, payment, and health care operations purposes. Records that are disclosed to a Part 2 program, covered
entity, or business associate pursuant to your written consent for treatment, payment, and health care operations may be further disclosed by that Part 2 program, covered entity, or business associate, without your written consent, to the extent HIPAA permits such disclosure.
If you change your mind after consenting to the use or disclosure of your health information, you may withdraw your permission by revoking the consent in writing. However, your decision to revoke the consent will not affect or undo any use or disclosure of your health information that occurred before you notified us of your decision, or any actions that we have taken based upon your consent. To revoke a consent, please notify us by calling or mailing your request to the applicable Program listed on the last page.
YOUR RIGHTS:
This section describes your rights regarding the health information we maintain about you. All requests or communications to exercise your rights discussed below must be submitted in writing to the appliable Program address listed on the last page.
Get an electronic or paper copy of your record. You can ask to see or get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other health information we have about you, excluding your substance use disorder counseling notes. We will provide a copy or a summary of your health information, usually within 30 days of your request. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee. If your request is denied, we will explain the reasons, and tell you what your rights are.
Request confidential communications. You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example, home or office phone) or to send mail to a different address. We will say “yes” to all reasonable requests.
Ask us to correct your medical record. You can ask us to correct health or billing information about you that you think is incorrect or incomplete. We may say “no” to your request, for example, if your provider feels that the information currently in your record is complete and accurate. If we deny your request, we’ll tell you why in writing within 60 days. If we agree to your request, we will ask you to give us the names of the people you want to receive the corrected information.
Get a list of those with whom we’ve shared information. You have the right to request an accounting of certain disclosures we make of your health information. This includes disclosures made with your consent, disclosures for treatment, payment, and health care operations through an electronic health record, and disclosures by an intermediary, in the three years prior to your request. We will provide one accounting per year for free but will charge a reasonable, cost-based fee if you ask for another one within 12 months.
Ask us to limit what we use or share. You have the right to request restrictions on how your health information is used or disclosed for treatment, payment, or health care operations activities, including when you have signed a consent for these disclosures. However, we are not required to agree to your requested restriction, unless that restriction
is regarding disclosure of health information to your health insurance company and: (1) the disclosure is for the purpose of carrying out payment or health care operations and is not otherwise required by law; and (2) the health information pertains solely to a health care item or service for which you or another person (other than your health insurance company) paid for in full.
Get a copy of this Notice. You can ask for a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive the Notice electronically. A paper copy of this Notice can be obtained from the receptionist at any SUD Provider facility and is also available at our website at https://www.carenewengland.org/legal-notices.
Discuss this Notice with us. You have the right to discuss this Notice with us. Please contact us at the contact information listed below.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
If you have questions or concerns about your privacy rights, or the information contained in this Notice, please contact the Care New England Privacy Officer through its Compliance HelpLine at (877) 835-5263 or www.MyComplianceReport.com.
*Substance Use (Part 2) Programs:
Butler Hospital
345 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI 02906, 401-455-6321
Kent Hospital
455 Tollgate Rd., Warwick, RI 02886 401-736-4291 KHROIHIM@carene.org
The Providence Center
528 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904 401-276-6143
Women & Infants Hospital
101 Dudley St., Providence, RI 02905 (401)274-1122 x41486 wih-roi@carene.org
Effective Date of this Notice: February 24, 2025
For a version of this Notice in English, please click here.
For a version of this Notice in Spanish, please click here.
For a version of this Notice in Portuguese, please click here.
The goal of Care New England's Compliance Program is to help guide and assist all employees in complying with all laws and regulations, and to provide a means to educate, communicate, monitor and report compliance issues. The program is a comprehensive effort to promote ethical, compliant, and legal behavior while detecting and preventing fraud, waste, abuse, and policy violations. Simply put, the CNE Compliance Program is designed to assist employees and business partners to integrate these values and effective performance improvement into all aspects of operations.
The chief compliance officer (CCO) reports directly to the Board of Directors and the department functions independently of the operating divisions. The department's mission is to maintain a structure and process that promotes ethical behavior, compliance with legal requirements, and CNE policies, resulting in quality care, accurate financial practices, and organizational excellence.
A key element of the CNE Compliance Program is the telephone service called the ComplianceLine that can be accessed by dialing 1 (877) 835-5263.
The ComplianceLine is a completely confidential resource that can be used anonymously to allow all members of the CNE community to voice concerns over any situation that may conflict with CNE's commitment to excellence or to report misconduct that could give rise to legal liability if not corrected. An impartial independent company transcribes information reported by callers and communicates this information to the chief compliance officer (CCO) or his/her designee so that appropriate verification, investigation, and resolution can take place. A unique code is assigned to each call for follow-up communication by the anonymous caller.
The CCO provides regular reports to the Board's Audit & Compliance Committee that summarize ComplianceLine usage as well as any material findings from investigations resulting from calls and other similar communications.
If you have an ethical question or concern, or if you want to report an ethics violation:
All inquiries are confidential. Our policy prohibits retaliation of any kind for inquiries made in good faith.
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