HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
Effective Date: 17th Feb, 2026
THIS NOTICE EXPLAINS HOW YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW TO ACCESS YOUR INFORMATION. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.
About This Notice
Aether Health and its affiliated facilities are committed to protecting your privacy. Federal law requires us to safeguard your health information and explain our practices. This Notice applies to all Aether Health facilities, including:
- Silverlake ER — 2752 Sunrise Blvd Pearland, TX 77584
- Spring Cypress ER — 8929 Spring Cypress Rd, Spring, TX 77379
- Kingwood ER — 2158 Northpark Dr, Kingwood, TX 77339
We maintain electronic health records and may transmit your protected health information electronically to other healthcare providers, laboratories, insurance companies, and other entities as described in this Notice.
We follow these practices while this Notice is effective. We may modify our practices and this Notice. Modifications apply to existing and new health information. The current version is available at our facilities and aetherhealth.org.
Protected Health Information Defined
Protected Health Information (PHI) is identifiable information about your health condition, care at our facilities, or payment for services. This includes medical history, examination results, test findings, diagnoses, treatment plans, and billing records.
Information Uses
Treatment
Health information enables quality emergency care across our network. We share necessary details with physicians, nurses, technicians, and clinical staff treating you. When specialized care is needed, we coordinate with hospitals and specialists.
Example: A trauma patient may have imaging and lab results shared with a receiving trauma center.
Payment
Information supports billing activities—coverage verification, claims filing, payment resolution with insurers.
Example: Insurance claims include diagnostic codes, procedures, and services rendered.
Operations
Records support quality activities—clinical reviews, staff training, compliance audits, accreditation.
Example: Charts may be reviewed to evaluate care protocols and improve outcomes.
Disclosures Without Your Authorization
Law permits or mandates these disclosures:
- Legal Requirements: Federal, state, local law, court orders, subpoenas.
- Public Health: Disease control, injury reporting, adverse reaction tracking.
- Abuse/Neglect: Suspected abuse reports to appropriate agencies.
- Oversight: Healthcare oversight audits, investigations, inspections.
- Legal Proceedings: Court orders or subpoenas with safeguards.
- Law Enforcement: Victim identification, death reports, lawful requests.
- Serious Threats: Preventing imminent harm to individuals.
- Donation Programs: Organ procurement, eye banks, tissue programs.
- Death Investigations: Medical examiners, coroners for identification or death determination.
- Workers’ Compensation: Work-related injury or illness claims.
- Military: Armed forces personnel as command requires.
- Government Functions: National security, intelligence, protective services.
- Correctional Settings: Officials responsible for inmate health and safety.
Authorization Requirements
Disclosures beyond those described require written authorization. Withdraw authorization anytime by written request to our Privacy Office. Prior disclosures remain valid.
Psychotherapy notes, paid marketing communications, and information sales always require specific written authorization.
Your Rights
Record Copies
Submit written requests to our Privacy Office. Reasonable fees may apply. Texas law mandates response within 15 business days.
Amendment Requests
Request corrections for inaccurate or incomplete records. Denials occur if information originated elsewhere, is not maintained by us, or is accurate. Written disagreement may accompany denials.
Restriction Requests
Request limits on treatment, payment, or operational disclosures, or sharing with family members. Most requests are discretionary. Restrictions for fully self-paid services withheld from health plans must be honored.
Communication Preferences
Specify preferred contact methods and addresses. Reasonable requests are accommodated.
Disclosure Accounting
Request disclosure lists from the prior six years, excluding treatment, payment, operations, and authorized disclosures. First annual request is free; subsequent requests may incur fees.
Paper Copy
Obtain a printed copy of this Notice anytime.
Breach Notification
Receive notification of breaches involving your unsecured information—incident details, information types, protective measures, our response, and contacts.
Our Responsibilities
Aether Health facilities must:
- Protect health information privacy and security
- Provide this Notice of legal duties and practices
- Follow current Notice terms
- Notify you when restrictions cannot be accommodated
- Honor reasonable communication preferences
- Alert you to breaches involving unsecured health information
Complaints
File complaints with us or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. No retaliation for complaints.
Aether Health Contact
Aether Health Privacy Office
Phone: (713) 528-8703
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.aetherhealth.org
Federal Contact
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights 1301 Young Street, Suite 106, Dallas, TX 75202
Website: https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/about-us/contact-us/index.html
Questions About This Notice?
If you’ve any questions or need additional information regarding this notice or your privacy rights, please contact Aether Health’s privacy office using the above details.
Effective from the date above until replaced.
This notice is posted in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Texas Medical Records Privacy Act, Chapter 181 of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
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