HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

Medical Records Requests and Privacy Complaints

Requesting Your Medical Records

Patients have the right to request access to and copies of their medical records.

To request your records, please contact:

Please contact our office to obtain instructions for submitting a written medical-record request. Include your name, the records requested, and your preferred delivery method. We may request information necessary to verify your identity or legal authority.

Requests will be processed within applicable federal and Texas deadlines. Reasonable fees may apply as permitted by law.

Privacy Complaints

If you believe your medical privacy rights have been violated, you may contact our Office Manager at (469) 299-4800.

You may also submit a complaint to:

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — Office for Civil Rights
  https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint/index.html
  Phone: 1-800-368-1019
• Texas Medical Board — Physician Licensing and Disciplinary Authority
  https://www.tmb.texas.gov/resources/for-the-public/complaint-about-licensee
  Complaint Hotline: 1-800-201-9353
• Texas Attorney General — Consumer Protection Division
  https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/file-consumer-complaint

We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint or exercising your privacy rights.

1. Our Commitment to Privacy

Texas Lung Specialists, PLLC respects the privacy of our patients and is committed to protecting their medical information.

We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI), provide this notice, and comply with its terms.

2. How We May Use and Disclose Your Information

We may use and disclose your protected health information without separate authorization when permitted or required by law, including for:

• Treatment: To provide medical care and coordinate treatment with physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories, imaging centers, and other healthcare providers.
• Payment: To submit insurance claims, verify benefits, obtain authorizations, and collect payment for healthcare services.
• Healthcare Operations: For quality improvement, staff training, auditing, compliance, administrative activities, and practice management.
• Other Legally Permitted Purposes: Including public health reporting, health oversight, judicial proceedings, law enforcement requests, workers' compensation, organ donation, medical examiners, approved research, and preventing serious threats to health or safety, subject to applicable restrictions.

We may use your information to contact you regarding appointments, test results, follow-up care, referrals, and treatment-related matters.

3. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Obtain electronic or paper copies of your medical records.
• Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete medical information.
• Request confidential communications through reasonable alternative methods.
• Request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your information.
• Restrict qualifying disclosures to a health plan for services paid in full out of pocket, except when disclosure is required by law.
• Request an accounting of certain disclosures of your medical information.
• Obtain a paper copy of this notice.
• Designate a legally authorized personal representative.
• File a privacy complaint without retaliation.

Some rights are subject to limitations and exceptions under applicable law.

4. Your Choices and Written Authorization

You may express preferences about sharing relevant medical information with family members, friends, or others involved in your care.

Written authorization is generally required for uses or disclosures not otherwise permitted by law, including most uses of psychotherapy notes, certain marketing activities, and sales of protected health information.

You may revoke a written authorization, subject to applicable legal limitations.

If we contact you for fundraising purposes, you may opt out of future fundraising communications.

5. Substance Use Disorder Records

Certain substance use disorder treatment records receive additional confidentiality protections under federal law, including 42 CFR Part 2.

When we maintain or receive records protected by Part 2, we will comply with the applicable requirements for their use and disclosure.

Part 2 records generally may not be used or disclosed in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings against a patient without the patient's specific written consent or a qualifying court order and required legal process.

When permitted by a valid consent, Part 2 records may be used or disclosed for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations in accordance with applicable law.

Additional restrictions and rights may apply to these records.

6. Our Legal Responsibilities

Texas Lung Specialists, PLLC is required to:

• Protect the privacy and security of patients' health information.
• Follow applicable HIPAA and Texas medical privacy requirements.
• Use appropriate safeguards to protect medical information.
• Notify affected individuals of breaches when legally required.
• Obtain authorization when required by law.
• Make this notice available to patients.
• Follow the privacy practices described in the current notice.

We will not use or disclose your medical information in ways prohibited by law.

7. Changes to This Notice

We may revise this Notice of Privacy Practices when our procedures or applicable laws change.

Revisions may apply to information already maintained by our practice as well as information obtained in the future.

The current notice will be available on our website and at our office, and a paper copy will be provided upon request.

8. Contact Information

For questions about this notice, medical-record requests, privacy rights, or complaints, please contact:

Effective Date: October 27, 2026