This notice describes how medical, drug and alcohol related information about you may be used and disclosed. It also includes information on how you can access this information about yourself. Please carefully review.


  • General Information
Information regarding your health care, including payment for health care, is protected by two federal laws: the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA"), 42 U.S.C. § 1320d et seq., 45 C.F.R. Parts 160 & 164, and the Confidentiality Law, 42 U.S.C. § 290dd-2, 42 C.F.R. Part 2. Under these laws, The Bridge, Inc. may not say to a person outside The Bridge, Inc. that you attend the Bridge program, nor may The Bridge, Inc. disclose any information identifying you as an alcohol or drug abuser, or disclose any other protected information except as permitted by federal law.
The Bridge, Inc. must obtain your written consent before it can disclose information about you for payment purposes. For example, The Bridge, Inc. must obtain your written consent before it can disclose information to your health insurer in order to be paid for services. Generally, you must also sign a written consent before The Bridge, Inc. can share information for treatment purposes or for health care operations. However, federal law permits to disclose information without your written permission:
          1. Pursuant to an agreement with a qualified service organization/business associate;
          2. For research, audit or evaluations;
          3. To report a crime committed on The Bridge, Inc.’s premises or against The Bridge, Inc.’s personnel;
          4. To medical personnel in a medical emergency
          5. To appropriate authorities to report suspected child abuse or neglect;
          6. As allowed by a court order.
For example, The Bridge, Inc. can disclose information without your consent to obtain legal or financial services, or to another medical facility to provide health care to you, as long as there is a qualified service organization/business associate agreement in place.
Before The Bridge, Inc. can use or disclose any information about your health in a manner which is not described above, it must first obtain your specific written consent allowing it to make the disclosure. Any such written consent may be revoked by you in writing.
  • Your Rights
Under HIPAA you have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your health information. The Bridge, Inc. is not required to agree to any restrictions you request, but if it does agree then it is bound by that agreement and may not use or disclose any information which you have restricted except as necessary in a medical emergency.
You have the right to request that we communicate with you by alternative means or at an alternative location. The Bridge, Inc. will accommodate such requests that are reasonable and will not request an explanation from you. Under HIPAA you also have the right to inspect and copy your own health information maintained by The Bridge, Inc., except to the extent that the information contains psychotherapy notes or information compiled for use in a civil, criminal or administrative proceeding or in other limited circumstances.
Under HIPAA you also have the right, with some exceptions, to amend health care information maintained in The Bridge, Inc. records, and to request and receive an accounting of disclosures of your health related information made by The Bridge, Inc. during the six years prior to your request. You also have the right to receive a paper copy of this notice.
  • The Bridge, Inc.’s Duties
The Bridge, Inc. is required by law to maintain the privacy of your health information and to provide you with notice of its legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your health information. The Bridge, Inc. is required by law to abide by the terms of this notice.   The Bridge, Inc. reserves the right to change the terms of this notice and to make new notice provisions effective for all protected health information it maintains. In the event that we do change the terms of the notice of our privacy practices, we will mail you a revised copy and / or will make available the revised copy on our website thehastingsbridge.com.  Current copies of the Notice of Privacy Practices are also available at The Bridge, Inc.
  • Complaints and Reporting Violations
You may file a complaint to The Bridge, Inc. and the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services if you believe that your privacy rights have been violated under HIPAA. To file a complaint with The Bridge, Inc.  you can: contact the HIPAA Privacy Officer at (402) 462-4677; fax your complaint to (402) 462-4699 Attn: HIPAA Privacy Officer, or mail your complaint to The Bridge, Inc.  c/o HIPAA Privacy Officer, PO Box 2031 Hastings, NE  68902. You will not be retaliated against for filing such a complaint.
Violation of the Confidentiality Law by a program is a crime. Suspected violations of the Confidentiality Law may be reported to the United States Attorney in the district where the violation occurs.
  • Contact
For further information, contact the HIPAA Privacy Officer at 402-462-4677 or mail inquiries to The Bridge, Inc.  Attn: HIPAA Privacy Officer, PO Box 2031 Hastings, NE  68902.
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