Notice of Privacy Practices

MultiCare Health System is dedicated to protecting your right to privacy. Through the MultiCare Privacy and Civil Rights Office, we take a proactive approach to ensure compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and Washington State Law.

Patient rights under HIPAA

• The right to receive a copy of MultiCare’s Joint Notice of Privacy Practices (PDF).
• The right to choose someone to act for you.
• The right to review and get a copy of your health and billing records.
• The right to an accounting of certain disclosures.
• The right to ask to receive confidential communications in a certain way or at a certain location.
• The right to ask for restrictions in the use of your health and billing information (PDF).
• The right to ask for amendments to your health and billing information.
• The right to request nondisclosure to health plans for self-paid items or services.
• The right to file a complaint with MultiCare or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights.

How to exercise your Privacy Rights

If you cannot find the information you need here, use the contacts listed at the bottom of this page. Exercise your your right to:

Receive a written copy of MultiCare’s joint notice of privacy practices

View MultiCare’s joint notice of privacy practices (PDF).

Choose someone to act for you

If you have given someone medical power of attorney or if someone is your guardian, that person can exercise your rights on your behalf. Give your doctor or clinic a copy of this information, or review and complete the Advance Care Planning booklet. We will make sure your wishes are honored.

Get a copy of your health and billing information

Use this link to view the medical records page for complete information and links to:

• Medical records request forms, and
• Instructions for accessing your records at the MyChart home page or MyChart Mobile app, or
• Using the MyChart Patient Portal to download your records.

Receive an accounting of certain disclosures of your information

Complete the accounting of disclosures form (PDF) and mail it to the address listed on the form.

Ask for confidential communications from MultiCare

Speak to your care provider and ask them to change the Communication Preferences in your medical record or contact MultiCare’s medical records department.

Ask for restrictions on the use of your health and billing information

Download the restriction in use of information request form (PDF).

Complete the form and mail to the following address:

MultiCare Health System
Attn: Health Information Management
P.O. Box 5299
MS: 315-C3-HIM
Tacoma, WA 98415-0299

Request nondisclosure to health plans for self-paid items or services

Notify your provider when you arrange for services that you will self-pay, and request that MultiCare not bill your insurance. You may also choose to complete the restriction in use of information form. Additional information on billing and self-payment for services is available online or by calling MultiCare’s Patient Financial Experience team at 800-919-1936.

Ask that your health and billing information be amended

Download the request for amendment form (PDF).

Complete the form and mail to the following address:

MultiCare Health System
Attn: Health Information Management
P.O. Box 5299
MS: 315-C3-HIM
Tacoma, WA 98415-0299

File a privacy complaint with MultiCare or U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights

To contact the MultiCare Privacy Office, call 866-264-6121, email [email protected] or mail to:

MultiCare Health System
Attn: Privacy Office
P.O. Box 5299
MS: 820-2-CEP
Tacoma, WA 98415

If we cannot resolve your concerns, you also have the right to file a written complaint with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) at www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint or mail to:

Office for Civil Rights
2201 6th Ave
MS: RX-11
Seattle, WA 98121-1831

Contact the MultiCare Privacy Office

If you have any other HIPAA or privacy questions or concerns, you can contact the Privacy Office confidentially through the Integrity Line at 866-264-6121. You can also contact MultiCare’s Chief Privacy Officer at 253-459-7865 or email [email protected]. The quality of your care will not be jeopardized, nor will you be penalized for filing a complaint.