The Calming Edge
Notice of Privacy Practices
Effective Date: July 27, 2026
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
This Notice of Privacy Practices ("Notice") describes the privacy practices of The Calming Edge, operated by a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) licensed in Oregon. We are 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, and to notify you in the event of a breach of your unsecured PHI.
"Protected health information" (PHI) means information about you — including demographic data — that may identify you and that relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health condition, the provision of healthcare services to you, or payment for those services.
HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
For Treatment
We may use and disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your psychiatric care and any related services. This includes sharing information with other healthcare providers involved in your treatment (e.g., your primary care provider, pharmacy, or specialists) as necessary and appropriate.
For Payment
We may use and disclose your PHI to obtain payment for the healthcare services we provide. This may include billing, claims submission, and prior authorization activities with your insurance company or other payers.
For Healthcare Operations
We may use and disclose your PHI for practice operations, including quality assessment, compliance, staff training, licensing, and accreditation activities.
Special Protections for Psychotherapy Notes
Psychotherapy notes — defined as notes recorded by your provider documenting the contents of a counseling session held in private — are afforded extra protection under federal and Oregon state law. Psychotherapy notes will only be disclosed with your written authorization, except as required by law.
As Required by Law
We will disclose your PHI when required to do so by applicable federal or state law.
For Public Health Activities
We may disclose PHI to public health authorities for activities such as preventing or controlling disease, reporting adverse events, or reporting child abuse or neglect as required by law.
To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety
If we believe that disclosure is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to your health or safety or the health or safety of another person, we may disclose your PHI to appropriate parties.
For Legal and Regulatory Purposes
We may disclose PHI in response to a court order, subpoena, or other lawful process, or as required by law enforcement under specific circumstances.
Workers' Compensation
We may disclose PHI to the extent authorized by and to the extent necessary to comply with laws relating to workers' compensation or other similar programs.
All other uses and disclosures of your PHI not described in this Notice will be made only with your written authorization. You may revoke any authorization you have given us at any time, in writing. Revocation will not apply to uses and disclosures already made in reliance on your authorization.
YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
Right to Access
You have the right to request access to and receive a copy of your PHI maintained in your medical record. Requests must be submitted in writing. We may charge a reasonable fee for copies.
Right to Amend
You have the right to request that we amend your PHI if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete. We may deny your request under certain circumstances and will provide you with a written explanation.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You have the right to request a list of disclosures of your PHI made by us in the six years prior to your request, except for disclosures made for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
Right to Request Restrictions
You have the right to request restrictions on how we use or disclose your PHI for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. We are not required to agree to your request unless the restriction relates to a disclosure to a health plan for payment or operations purposes and you paid out-of-pocket in full for the service.
Right to Request Confidential Communications
You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your health information in a specific way or at a specific location (e.g., only by email, or only at a specific phone number). We will accommodate reasonable requests.
Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice
You have the right to a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically.
Right to Be Notified of a Breach
You have the right to be notified in the event of a breach of your unsecured PHI as required by applicable law.
OUR DUTIES
We are required by law to:
● Maintain the privacy of your PHI
● Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices
● Follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect
● Notify you in the event of a breach of your unsecured PHI
We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and the terms of this Notice at any time, provided such changes are permitted by applicable law. Changes will apply to PHI we already hold as well as PHI we receive in the future. The updated Notice will be posted on our website and made available upon request.
OREGON STATE LAW
Oregon law provides additional protections for certain types of health information, including mental health records, substance use disorder records, and HIV/AIDS-related information. Where Oregon law provides greater privacy protections than federal HIPAA requirements, we will comply with the more protective state law.
HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with:
The Calming Edge
Email: info@thecalmingedge.com
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Office for Civil Rights
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Phone: 1-800-368-1019
Website: hhs.gov/ocr
You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions about this Notice or to exercise any of your rights, please contact:
The Calming Edge
Privacy Contact: info@thecalmingedge.com
[Add mailing address once Oregon PC address is established]
This Notice is effective as of July 27, 2026.