Required Addendum to our NPP (Notice of Privacy Practices)
Effective as of February15, 2026
Confidential Help for Alcohol & Drugs, Inc.
75 Genesee Street Suite 4
315-253-9786
Special Privacy Protections for Certain Health Information
We may receive and maintain SUD-related information incidentally (e.g., referrals, history, meds, labs) and that information we maintain may be subject to additional federal privacy protections, including records related to the diagnosis, treatment, or referral for treatment of a substance use disorder. These records are protected by federal law (42 C.F.R. Part 2), which, in some cases, is more restrictive than HIPAA. When these stricter rules apply, we follow them.
How We May Use and Disclose Health Information
We may use and disclose your health information for treatment, payment, and health care operations. When information includes substance use disorder records, additional legal requirements may apply, including your written consent before using or disclosing that information.
Limits on Use of Substance Use Disorder Records
Federal law places strict limits on how substance use disorder records may be used or disclosed. Substance use disorder records cannot be used or disclosed to initiate or substantiate civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings without written consent or a qualifying court order.
Authorization and Consent
Certain uses and disclosures require written authorization. You may revoke authorization at any time by written request, except where already relied upon. If your health information includes substance use disorder records, your authorization may allow us to use and disclose that information for treatment, payment, and health care operations, as permitted by law.
Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
You have rights to inspect, access, amend, request restrictions, request confidential communications, and receive an accounting of disclosures, as permitted by law.
Redisclosure Notice
If your health information is disclosed to another party, that party may be permitted to redisclose the information, and it may no longer be protected by HIPAA. However, substance use disorder records may continue to be protected by federal law even after disclosure, depending on the circumstances.
Public Health and De-Identified Information
We may disclose de-identified health information for public health, research, or health care operations purposes as permitted by law. De-identified information does not identify you and cannot reasonably be used to identify you.
Complaints and Enforcement
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.
Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to change this Notice of Privacy Practices at any time. Any changes will apply to all health information we maintain. The current version of this Notice will be available upon request and on our website.