fbpx
Mountain Home MT - image of pregnant woman with her hand on belly
Privacy, Confidentiality & Safety Policies

Safety Policy: Mountain Home is committed to providing a safe environment for its clients, employees, donors, volunteers, and community partners/affiliates (collectively “stakeholders”) at all times. Safety is embedded in our mission and is the foundation of our trauma-informed service delivery. Mountain Home is responsible for protecting its stakeholders from acts of violence, abuse, racism, bullying, and exposure to weapons, illegal substances, and other potential threats. Mountain Home reserves the right to act in any legal manner in order to maintain or obtain safety. Mountain Home stakeholders should report any and all safety concerns to info@mountainhomemt.org. All concerns will be considered and addressed with safety, security, health, and confidentiality as the top priorities.

Confidentiality Policy: Mountain Home clients, employees, donors, volunteers, and community partners/affiliates (collectively “stakeholders”) share the responsibility to protect and assure the confidentiality of information about Mountain Home service recipients. Mountain Home is dedicated to protecting the identity of its service recipients and agrees to not disclose any information that is offered or discovered that would identify any service recipient, their personal story, or their health care information unless Mountain Home has received specific consent from the service recipient or their legal guardian to share such information. Mountain Home’s dedication to confidentiality remains in effect for service recipients even after the relationship between Mountain Home and a service recipient is terminated. Service recipients, employees, and volunteers are expected to agree in writing to their compliance with and understanding of their responsibilities in regard to Mountain Home’s Confidentiality Policy.

Privacy Policy: Mountain Home is committed to respecting privacy. This privacy policy governs our collection and use of personal information collected from clients, employees, donors, volunteers, and community partners/affiliates (collectively “stakeholders”), through in-person communications, email and regular mail correspondence, website, online databases, and forms, social media, telephone calls, faxes, and all other means of gathering and disseminating data. Our policy is to use any and all data collected by any means only for such uses that are important to Mountain Home, our mission, and organizational functioning, in light of the professional standards required and expected from nonprofit organizations. Mountain Home reserves the right to change this policy whenever deemed necessary without prior notification.

HIPPA Privacy Policy:

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL OR PROGRAM RELATED INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

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”), and the confidentiality Law. Under these laws, an employee of Mountain Home Montana may not say to a person outside of this office that you attend the program or disclose any other protected information except as permitted by federal law.

This program must obtain your written consent before it can disclose any information about you for payment purposes. For example, this case manager/program manager 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 this representative can share information for treatment purposes or for health care operations. However federal law permits this representative to disclose information without your permission:

  1. Pursuant to an agreement with a qualified service organization/business associate;
  2. For research, audit, or evaluation;
  3. To report a crime committed on these premises or against employees of this program;
  4. To medical personnel in a medical emergency;
  5. To appropriate authorities to report suspected child abuse or neglect;
  6. As allowed by court order

For example, this program 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 agreement in place.

Before this program can use or disclose any information about your health in a manner that is not described above, it must first obtain your specific written consent allowing it to make the disclosure. You may revoke any such written consent in writing.

Your Rights

Under HIPPA you have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your health information. This counselor is not required to agree to any restrictions that 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. This counselor will accommodate such requests that are reasonable and will not request an explanation from you. Under HIPPA you also have the right to inspect and copy your own health information maintained by this counselor, except to the extent that the information contains psychotherapy notes or information compiled for use in civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings or in other limited circumstances. Under HIPPA you also have the right, to some exceptions, to amend health care information maintained in these records and to request and receive a paper copy of this notice.

Program Duties

This program 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. This program is required by law to abide by the terms of this notice. We reserve the right to change this notice. We reserve the right to make the revised or changed notice effective for health information we already have about you as well as any information we receive in the future. We will post a copy of the current notice in the office area of this program.

Complaint and Reporting Violations

If you believe that your privacy rights have been violated you may file a complaint with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. All complaints must be filed in writing.

Notice of Privacy Practices:

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL OR PROGRAM RELATED INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Please review this notice carefully. It describes how information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information.

This notice of Privacy Practices describes how I may use and/or disclose your Protected Health Information (PHI) to carry out treatment, to obtain payment, for healthcare operations and for other purposes that are permitted or required by law.  It also describes your rights to access and control your Protected Health Information.  “Protected Health Information” is information about you and your treatment, including information that may identify you.  I am required to abide by the terms of this Notice.  I may change the terms of this notice at any time.  If I do so, the new notice will be effective for all PHI that I maintain at that time.  Upon your request, I will provide you with any revised Notice of Privacy Practices.

It is my responsibility to maintain records about you and your treatment in a manner that protects confidentiality as required by law.  In most cases, information about you or your treatment can only be disclosed when you have signed a Release of Information allowing this to occur.  For example, in most cases, I cannot release my psychotherapy notes about your treatment without obtaining an explicit authorization from you allowing me to do so.  You have the right to revoke any authorizations to release information about you at any time by putting a request in writing.

There are certain circumstances under which I may be required to use of disclose PHI without our consent or authorization.  These include: child abuse, elder abuse, health oversight activities, judicial and administrative proceedings, serious threat to health or safety, or worker’s compensation.

Client’s Rights to PHI

Right to Request Restrictions–You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of protected health information.  I will make every effort to comply with your request but I am not bound to agree to the request.

Right to Receive Confidential Communications by Alternative Means and at Alternative Locations–You have the right to request and receive confidential communications of PHI by alternative means and at alternative locations.  For example, you may not want a family member to know that you are consulting with me.  On your request, I will call you at a different phone number or will send information to another address.

Right to Inspect and Copy–You have the right to inspect or obtain a copy (or both) of PHI in my mental health and billing records used to make decisions about you for a long as the PHI is maintained in the record.  I may deny your access to PHI under certain circumstances.  On your request, I will discuss with you the details of the request and denial process.

Right to Amend–You have the right to request an amendment of PHI for as long as the PHI is maintained in the record.  I may deny your request.  On your request, I will discuss with you the details of the amendment process.

Right to an Accounting–You have a right to receive an accounting of disclosures of PHI.  On your request, I will discuss with you the details of the accounting process.

 

Mountain Home Montana Privacy Policy for SMS Messaging

Effective Date: 11/15/2024

Introduction
At Mountain Home Montana, your privacy is critically important to us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you opt into our SMS messaging program. By opting into our SMS service, you agree to the terms outlined below, which are in compliance with the latest 2024 regulations under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the Campaign Registry guidelines.

  1. Information We Collect

When you opt-in to receive SMS messages from us, we collect the following information:

  • Phone Number: The mobile number provided during the opt-in process.
  • Message Interaction Data: Includes information such as delivery status, response data, and message engagement rates.
  • Consent Data: We maintain records of when and how you provided consent to receive SMS messages, including the method of opt-in (e.g., web form, keyword, or verbal consent).
  1. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

  • Send text messages based on the preferences you indicated when opting in, such as promotional offers, updates, or alerts.
  • Ensure compliance with federal regulations, including the TCPA.
  • Monitor and improve our SMS services by tracking engagement metrics.

Your information will only be used for the purpose specified at the time of opt-in and will not be used to send unrelated messages.

  1. One-to-One Consent Requirement

In line with FCC regulations (March 2024), your SMS opt-in applies to communications from Mountain Home Montana only. Your consent to receive SMS messages is specific to our company and does not extend to third-party businesses or affiliates unless explicitly stated and separately agreed upon.

  1. Message Frequency and Data Rates

You will receive no more than 50 messages per week. Please note that message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier and plan. We encourage you to review your carrier’s terms for more details on messaging fees.

  1. Opt-Out Instructions

You can opt out of our SMS service at any time by replying with “STOP” to any message you receive from us. Once you opt out, you will immediately cease receiving further messages unless you opt back in. For help, you can reply with “HELP” or contact us directly at info@mountainhomemt.org or 406-541-4663.

  1. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We will never share or sell your information to third parties for marketing purposes without your explicit consent. We may, however, share your information with trusted third-party service providers for the purpose of facilitating SMS delivery (e.g., telecommunications providers). All such parties are bound by strict confidentiality agreements and are prohibited from using your data for any purpose other than SMS delivery.

In compliance with Do Not Call (DNC) Registry regulations (2024), you have the right to register your number with the National DNC Registry. If you are on the DNC Registry, we will not send you promotional SMS messages unless you have provided express consent to do so.

  1. Security of Your Information

We take reasonable measures to protect the information you provide from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. However, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your data during transmission or storage.

  1. Record-Keeping and Proof of Consent

As required by the TCPA and Campaign Registry guidelines, we maintain records of all opt-ins and opt-outs, including timestamps and the method of consent. These records are kept securely and may be used to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements if needed.

  1. Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Any significant changes will be communicated via SMS or on our website. Continued use of our SMS service after any changes indicates your acceptance of the revised policy. Please check back periodically to stay informed of any updates.

  1. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to update your SMS preferences, you can contact us at:

Links:

Mountain Home Montana SMS Terms and Conditions

Effective Date: 11/15/2024

  1. Introduction

By opting into the SMS program provided by Mountain Home Montana, you agree to receive recurring text messages to the phone number you provided. These messages may include promotional offers, updates, and alerts related to our products and services. By participating, you agree to these Terms and Conditions, which comply with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the FCC’s 2024 guidelines.

  1. Opt-In Consent

In accordance with the 2024 TCPA guidelines, your participation in our SMS service requires explicit one-to-one consent. This means that by opting in, you consent to receive messages from Mountain Home Montana only. Consent cannot be shared with other companies or third-party entities without your direct approval.

To join our SMS program, you may opt-in through:

  • Verbal or In-Person Consent: In certain cases, if allowed, your verbal consent can be captured and documented.

By opting in, you acknowledge that your consent to receive SMS messages is not a condition of any purchase. You may receive promotional or informational messages as specified at the time of opt-in.

  1. Message Frequency

The number of messages you receive will vary based on your interaction with our services, but you can expect no more than 50 messages per week. Message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier and plan.

  1. Opt-Out Process

You can opt out of receiving SMS messages from Mountain Home Montana at any time by replying with the word “STOP” to any text message you receive from us. Once you opt out, you will not receive any further messages unless you choose to opt back in. For assistance, you can reply “HELP” for further instructions or contact our support team directly at info@mountainhomemt.org or (406) 541-4663.

  1. Terms of Consent

By opting into this SMS program, you agree to receive SMS messages from Mountain Home Montana in compliance with the TCPA and the FCC’s 2024 guidelines. All messages will be logically and topically related to your interaction with our services and products.

Your consent is specific to Mountain Home Montana, and it does not extend to third-party businesses or affiliates unless explicitly stated at the time of opt-in, as mandated by the FCC’s one-to-one consent rule introduced in 2024.

  1. Privacy Policy

We take your privacy seriously. By opting into our SMS services, you agree to our Privacy Policy [Insert Link], which explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. Your phone number and interaction data will only be used for the purposes of delivering the SMS messages outlined in this agreement.

  1. Message and Data Rates

Message and data rates may apply, depending on your mobile service provider and plan. Mountain Home Montana is not responsible for any fees charged by your carrier for receiving or sending messages related to our service.

  1. Record-Keeping and Compliance

We maintain detailed records of when and how you provided consent to receive SMS messages. This includes storing opt-in and opt-out dates and timestamps. These records are maintained in compliance with TCPA regulations and may be used to demonstrate proof of consent if required.

  1. Changes to Terms and Conditions

Mountain Home Montana reserves the right to modify or change these Terms and Conditions at any time. Any significant updates will be communicated via SMS or through our website. By continuing to use our SMS services after any changes, you agree to the revised Terms and Conditions.

  1. Disclaimers and Liability Limitations

Mountain Home Montana is not responsible for delayed or undelivered messages. Delivery of SMS messages is subject to effective transmission from your mobile carrier and network provider. We cannot guarantee that SMS services will always be available in all areas.

  1. Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these Terms and Conditions or the SMS service, please contact us at:

Links: