Notice of Privacy Practices

Ronni Carla Umles Mental Health Counseling PLLC
Ronni Umles, LMHC · NYS License #013295

Effective date: 10/27/2026

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

Your privacy matters deeply to me. This notice explains how I protect your health information, when I may share it, and the rights you have. If you have questions, please ask me at any time.

My Responsibilities

• I am required by law to protect the privacy of your health information and to give you this notice of my legal duties and privacy practices.

• I will follow the terms of the notice currently in effect.

• I will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.

• I will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you give me written permission. You may change your mind at any time by letting me know in writing.

• New York law sometimes gives your information more protection than federal law. When it does, I follow the stricter rule.

How I May Use and Share Your Information

For treatment. I use your information to provide your care, and I may share it with other professionals involved in your care, such as a psychiatrist or primary care provider, with your permission. Example: with your signed release, I may speak with your psychiatrist about your medication.

For payment. I may use your information to bill and get paid for my services. Because I am out-of-network, this usually means preparing superbills that you submit to your insurance yourself. If your insurer contacts me to verify a claim, I share only what is needed.

For health care operations. I may use your information to run my practice, improve the quality of care, and meet professional responsibilities. Example: seeking consultation from a colleague without sharing your name or identifying details.

With companies that help me run my practice. I work with a small number of service providers, such as my secure video, email, and payment systems. Each is required by a written agreement to protect your information.

When I May Share Information Without Your Permission

The law allows or requires me to share information in certain limited situations. Whenever it is possible and safe, I will talk with you first.

• To prevent serious harm: when necessary to prevent a serious and imminent threat to your health or safety, or the safety of another person.

• Abuse or neglect: to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment, as required of mandated reporters in New York, or abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult, as required or permitted by law.

• Legal proceedings: in response to a court order, or a subpoena or other legal process when the law requires it.

• Health oversight: to agencies that oversee health care, such as the New York State Education Department, for audits, investigations, or licensing.

• Law enforcement: in limited circumstances required by law.

• As otherwise required by law, including to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if it reviews my compliance with privacy law.

• Specialized government functions, such as national security, in rare cases required by law.

• Workers' compensation: if your care relates to a workers' compensation claim, as the law allows.

• Public health and research: only as the law permits. I do not participate in research using client information.

• After death: to a coroner or medical examiner, or to a personal representative, as the law allows.

When I Need Your Written Permission

• Psychotherapy notes. If I keep separate private notes about our sessions, I will not share them without your specific written authorization, except in the rare cases the law requires.

• Specially protected information. Information about HIV/AIDS, genetic testing, and substance use treatment has additional protection under New York and federal law. I will share it only with your specific written consent or as the law strictly requires.

• Marketing and sale of information. I never sell your information or use it for marketing.

• Fundraising. I do not fundraise and will not contact you for that purpose.

• Any other purpose not described in this notice.

Substance Use Treatment Records

If I receive records from a federally regulated substance use treatment program, those records are protected by federal rules (42 C.F.R. Part 2), which are stricter than HIPAA. They cannot be used or shared in any civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceeding against you unless you give written consent or a court orders it after you have been notified and given a chance to be heard.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• See and get a copy of your records. Ask me in writing. I will respond within 30 days and may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for copies. In rare cases I may deny part of a request and will explain why and how you can ask for a review.

• Ask me to correct your records if you believe something is wrong or incomplete. I may decline, but I will tell you why in writing within 60 days.

• Ask me to contact you in a certain way, such as only by email or at a particular address. I will agree to reasonable requests.

• Ask me to limit what I use or share. I am not required to agree in most cases. However, if you pay for a service in full yourself, you can ask me not to share information about it with your health insurer, and I will agree unless the law requires otherwise.

• Get a list of who I have shared your information with in the six years before your request, other than for treatment, payment, operations, and disclosures you authorized. One list per year is free.

• Get a paper or electronic copy of this notice at any time, even if you agreed to receive it electronically.

• Choose someone to act for you, such as a legal guardian or health care agent. I will confirm their authority before acting on their request.

• Revoke a written authorization at any time, except for information already shared while it was in effect.

Questions and Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, I encourage you to talk with me directly. You may also file a complaint with:

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights: www.hhs.gov/ocr/complaints or 1-800-368-1019.

• New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions: www.op.nysed.gov.

I will never retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Changes to This Notice

I may change this notice, and the changes will apply to all information I have about you. The current notice will be available on request and on this page.

Contact Information

Privacy contact: Ronni Umles, LMHC
Email: hello@humantogethertherapy.com