HIPAA Compliance
Last Updated: 11-18-2025
At Fresh Start Connections, we are fully committed to protecting the privacy, security, and confidentiality of all health information entrusted to us. Our toxicology testing services involve the handling of Protected Health Information (PHI), and we follow all requirements under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and applicable state laws.
This HIPAA Compliance Statement outlines how we protect your information, how your data is used, and your rights regarding your health information.
1. What Is Protected Health Information (PHI)?
PHI refers to any information that identifies you and relates to:
Past, present, or future physical or mental health conditions
Toxicology test results
Medical history connected to testing
Information used for healthcare services
Payment or billing for toxicology services
Examples include: your name, date of birth, address, phone number, lab results, case numbers, and employer or court-requested testing data.
2. How We Use and Disclose PHI
We may use or disclose your PHI only under circumstances permitted by HIPAA, including:
2.1 For Testing & Service Provision
To perform toxicology testing, schedule appointments, verify identity, and deliver results.
2.2 For Payment & Billing
To process payments, verify insurance (if applicable), and generate invoices.
2.3 For Healthcare Operations
To improve service quality, maintain certifications, conduct internal audits, and manage laboratory processes.
2.4 With Your Authorization
We will not release your PHI to:
Employers
Attorneys
Courts
Family members
Any third party
unless you provide explicit written authorization or if the release is legally required.
2.5 As Required by Law
We may release PHI without authorization only when mandated by law, such as:
Court orders
Subpoenas
Law enforcement requests
Public health reporting (rare, and only when applicable)
We only release the minimum necessary information in all legally required disclosures.
3. How We Safeguard Your Information
Fresh Start Connections follows strict physical, administrative, and technical safeguards, including:
3.1 Physical Safeguards
Secure facility access
Locked file storage for physical records
Staff-only access to sensitive areas
Secure disposal of documents and test samples
3.2 Technical Safeguards
Encrypted digital records
Secured laboratory systems
Encrypted email for results (when applicable)
Secure scheduling forms
Firewalled and monitored network systems
3.3 Administrative Safeguards
Staff HIPAA training and certification
Confidentiality agreements for all employees and contractors
Procedures for breach prevention and incident response
Routine internal audits for compliance
We continuously update our systems to meet changing HIPAA regulations.
4. Your Rights Under HIPAA
You have full legal rights regarding your PHI. These include:
4.1 Right to Access Your Records
You may request a copy of your test results or any PHI we hold about you.
4.2 Right to Request Corrections
If any information is inaccurate, you may request a correction or amendment.
4.3 Right to Restrict Disclosure
You may request that we limit how your PHI is used or to whom it is disclosed.
4.4 Right to Confidential Communication
You may choose how we communicate with you about testing (email, phone, secure portal, etc.).
4.5 Right to Receive a Record of Disclosures
You may request a log of when and why your PHI was shared (for legally allowable cases).
4.6 Right to File a Complaint
If you believe your privacy rights were violated, you may file a complaint with:
Fresh Start Connections
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
No retaliation will ever occur for filing a privacy complaint.
5. Our Commitment to Data Security
We use advanced HIPAA-compliant systems to handle and deliver toxicology test results. All PHI is:
Stored securely
Shared only when necessary
Accessed only by authorized staff
Protected using industry-standard encryption and monitoring
We conduct regular risk assessments and update security protocols as needed.
6. Business Associates
In cases where third-party vendors assist in providing services (e.g., labs, billing processors, software providers), we require Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) ensuring that:
They follow HIPAA rules
PHI is protected
Data is not misused or shared
Incidents are reported to us immediately
7. Data Retention
PHI is retained for the period required by federal and state law. After the retention period, data is securely destroyed following HIPAA-compliant disposal guidelines.
8. Policy Updates
We may update this HIPAA Compliance Statement as laws and regulations evolve. Any changes will be posted with a revised “Last Updated” date.
9. Contact Information
If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us:
Fresh Start Connections
Email: info@freshstartnr.com
Phone: 443-297-7776
Address: 2159 White St suit 3 york pa 17404