Notice of Privacy Practices

Effective date: May 30, 2026

Our commitment to your privacy

Aura One Hospice is 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, to notify affected individuals following a breach of unsecured PHI, and to abide by the terms of the Notice currently in effect. PHI is information that may identify you and that relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health, the care you receive, or payment for that care.

How we may use and disclose your health information

The following describes the ways we may use and disclose your PHI. Not every use or disclosure will be listed, but all permitted uses and disclosures will fall within one of these categories.

For treatment

We may use and disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your hospice care. For example, members of your interdisciplinary care team (nurses, physicians, aides, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers) may share information to coordinate your care, and we may share information with other providers involved in your treatment, such as your attending physician or pharmacy.

For payment

We may use and disclose your PHI to obtain payment for the services we provide, for example to verify eligibility and benefits, to bill and collect from Medicare, Medicaid, or a private insurer, and to obtain prior authorization.

For health care operations

We may use and disclose your PHI for our operations, such as quality assessment and improvement, staff training and review, accreditation, licensing, care coordination, and general administrative activities.

Appointment and care reminders

We may contact you to remind you of scheduled visits or to provide information about treatment alternatives or other health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you.

Individuals involved in your care

Unless you object, we may disclose PHI to a family member, friend, or other person you identify who is involved in your care or payment for your care, to the extent relevant. In the event of an emergency or your incapacity, we may use professional judgment to determine that a disclosure is in your best interest. This is especially important in hospice care, where family members and caregivers are central to your support.

Other permitted uses and disclosures

We may use or disclose your PHI without your authorization in the following circumstances, subject to legal requirements:

• As required by law, including federal, state, and local law.
• Public health activities, such as reporting disease, vital statistics (including deaths), or adverse events.
• Health oversight activities, such as audits, investigations, inspections, and licensure.
• Lawsuits and disputes, in response to a court or administrative order, subpoena, or discovery request, as permitted by law.
• Law enforcement, as permitted or required by law.
• Coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors, as necessary to carry out their duties.
• Organ and tissue donation, where applicable.
• Research, subject to required approvals and protections.
• To avert a serious threat to your health or safety or that of the public.
• Workers' compensation, as authorized by and to the extent necessary to comply with applicable law.
• Specialized government functions, including military and veterans' activities, national security, and correctional institutions, as permitted by law.

Uses and disclosures that require your written authorization

Other uses and disclosures not described in this Notice will be made only with your written authorization. This includes most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes (if any), uses and disclosures for marketing, and any sale of PHI. If you authorize us to use or disclose your PHI, you may revoke that authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent we have already relied on it.

Your rights regarding your health information

• Right to inspect and copy. You may inspect and obtain a copy of your PHI in our designated record set, including an electronic copy where readily producible. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
• Right to request an amendment. If you believe information we have is incorrect or incomplete, you may request that we amend it. We may deny your request in certain cases, and you may submit a statement of disagreement.
• Right to an accounting of disclosures. You may request a list of certain disclosures we made of your PHI.
• Right to request restrictions. You may request restrictions on how we use or disclose your PHI. We are not required to agree except where the disclosure is to a health plan for payment or operations and you have paid for the service in full, out of pocket.
• Right to request confidential communications. You may ask us to contact you in a specific way or at a specific location.
• Right to a paper copy of this Notice. You may request a paper copy at any time, even if you agreed to receive it electronically.
• Right to be notified of a breach. You have the right to be notified following a breach of your unsecured PHI.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Privacy Officer using the information below.

Nondiscrimination and language access

Aura One Hospice complies with applicable federal and state civil rights laws and provides care and services to all eligible patients without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, disability, or ability to pay.

Language assistance and Spanish-speaking care are available at no cost. If you need help in another language or a communication aid, please contact us at (909) 453-0078.

Changes to this Notice

We reserve the right to change this Notice and to make the revised Notice effective for PHI we already have as well as information we receive in the future. The current Notice will be posted on this website and available at our office, with its effective date noted above.

Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us using the contact information below, or with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint.

Contact us

For questions about this Notice, to exercise your rights, or to file a complaint, contact our Privacy Officer:

Aura One Hospice, Privacy Officer
275 W Hospitality Ln, Ste 325, San Bernardino, CA 92408
Phone: (909) 453-0078
Email: care@auraonehospice.com