Privacy Policy & HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
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Privacy Policy & HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
Effective Date: August 25, 2026
Last Updated: August 25, 2026
Organization Name: Samaritan Counseling Center Hawaii ("we," "us," or "our")
Website: https://samaritancounselingcenterhawaii.org/
1. General Website Privacy Policy
This section explains how we collect, use, and protect information collected directly from visitors navigating our website.
Information We Collect
Information You Provide Directly: When you fill out contact forms, request services, register for events, subscribe to newsletters, or make donations, we may collect personal details such as your name, email address, phone number, mailing address, and payment information.
Automated Website Usage Data: Like most websites, we automatically collect basic non-identifiable data, including IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, and operating systems, to analyze traffic and improve site functionality.
How We Use Your Website Information
To process donations, registrations, and service inquiries. To communicate updates, events, or fundraising efforts related to our nonprofit mission. To maintain website security and optimize user experience.
Data Sharing & Donor Privacy
We respect the privacy of our supporters. We do not sell, trade, or rent donor or visitor personal information to any third parties. We only share information with trusted third-party service providers (such as web hosting, payment processors, or email platforms) solely to conduct our operations, under strict confidentiality agreements.
2. Notice of Privacy Practices (HIPAA Disclosure)
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
If you receive mental health counseling or clinical services from Samaritan Counseling Center Hawaii, your Protected Health Information (PHI) is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), as well as applicable state privacy laws.
How We May Use & Disclose Your Protected Health Information (PHI)
We may use or disclose your PHI for standard healthcare operations without requiring your written authorization only in the following scenarios:
For Treatment: To provide, coordinate, or manage your clinical care and counseling services.
For Payment: To bill and receive payment from insurance companies, Medicaid, or other third-party payers for services rendered.
For Healthcare Operations: To evaluate the quality of our care, conduct clinical audits, train staff, or manage administrative services.
Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Written Authorization
Psychotherapy Notes: Notes taken during individual, group, or family therapy sessions are kept strictly separate from the rest of your clinical record and require your explicit written authorization to release, with very limited exceptions.
Marketing & Sales: We will never use or sell your PHI for marketing purposes.
Exceptions to Confidentiality (Permitted or Required Disclosures Without Authorization)
By law, we may be required to disclose your PHI without your authorization under specific safety or legal circumstances:
Child or Elder Abuse/Neglect: If we have reasonable cause to suspect child abuse, elder abuse, or abuse of a vulnerable adult.
Harm to Self or Others: If you express an imminent threat of serious physical harm to yourself or an identifiable target.
Court Orders: In response to a court order or legal subpoena issued by a judge.
Health Oversight: For legally mandated audits or investigations by regulatory health agencies.
3. Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
Under HIPAA, you have the following rights regarding the clinical records we maintain about you:
Right to Inspect and Copy: You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your clinical record.
Right to Amend: You may request an amendment to your records if you feel the information is inaccurate or incomplete.
Right to Request Restrictions: You may request restrictions on how we use or disclose your PHI for treatment, payment, or operations (though we are not always required to agree).
Right to Confidential Communications: You can ask us to communicate with you via a specific phone number, email, or mailing address.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You may request a list of certain non-routine disclosures of your health information made by us.
4. Contact Information & Complaints
If you have questions about this policy, wish to exercise your rights, or believe your privacy rights have been violated, please contact our Privacy Officer:
Attn: Privacy Officer / Clinical Director
Organization: Samaritan Counseling Center Hawaii
Address: 1020 S Beretania St, Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: (808) 545-2740
Email: info@samaritanhawaii.org
You may also file a formal complaint with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.