Notice of Privacy Practices

Revised February 16, 2026

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

This Notice describes how we may use and disclose your protected health information (PHI). It applies to all information created or received by Stellher Human Services, whether in medical records, billing records, electronic systems, peer recovery documentation, SUD records, video, paper, or other formats.

Certain records related to substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis, treatment, referral, or peer recovery services are protected under federal law (42 CFR Part 2) and are subject to additional confidentiality protections.

Privacy Official
Stellher Human Services
P.O. Box 430
Bemidji, MN 56619
Phone: 218-444-2845

Office of Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Ave, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Toll Free: 1-877-696-6775
www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/

Your Rights

  • Get a copy of your record: You may inspect or obtain a paper or electronic copy of your health information. We generally respond within 30 days. A reasonable, cost-based fee may apply. Certain limited information (such as psychotherapy notes) may be restricted by law.
  • Request correction: You may request correction of information you believe is incorrect or incomplete. If denied, we will provide a written explanation.
  • Request confidential communications: You may request that we contact you in a specific way or at a specific location. Reasonable requests will be honored.
  • Request restrictions: You may request limits on uses or disclosures for treatment, payment, or health care operations. If you pay out-of-pocket in full, you may request we not disclose that information to your insurer for payment purposes.
  • Receive an accounting of disclosures: You may request a list of certain disclosures made in the previous six years.
  • Receive a copy of this Notice: You may request a paper copy at any time.
  • Choose a representative: A person with legal authority (such as a guardian or power of attorney) may exercise your rights.
  • File a complaint: You may file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services without fear of retaliation.

Your Choice

You may tell us your preferences regarding certain disclosures. If you cannot communicate your preference, we may disclose information if we believe it is in your best interest or necessary to prevent a serious and imminent threat. 

You may choose to:

  • Share information with family or others involved in your care.
  • Share information in disaster relief situations.

We require written authorization for:

  • Marketing purposes.
  • Sale of protected health information.
  • Most sharing of psychotherapy notes.
  • Most disclosures of substance use disorder treatment records under 42 CFR Part 2.

Federal law prohibits the use or disclosure of PHI for the purpose of investigating or imposing liability related to lawful reproductive health care. Certain disclosures may require a signed attestation.

Our Uses and Disclosures

  1. Treatment: We may share information with professionals involved in your care.
  2. Health Care Operations: We may use information to manage and improve services, including peer recovery and SUD services.
  3. Payment: We may use information to bill Medicaid, Medicare, or other health plans.

SUD records protected under 42 CFR Part 2 may be disclosed for treatment, payment, and health care operations as permitted by law but remain subject to additional confidentiality and redisclosure protections.

Other permitted disclosures may include:

  • Public health and safety activities.
  • Reporting abuse or neglect.
  • Research, when legally authorized.
  • Compliance with state and federal law.
  • Organ donation and medical examiner activities.
  • Workers’ compensation and authorized oversight activities.

Legal Proceedings: We may disclose information in response to a court or administrative order. For SUD records protected by 42 CFR Part 2, a specific federal court order is required. A subpoena alone is not sufficient.

Any SUD records disclosed with written authorization remain subject to federal redisclosure restrictions.

Minnesota Health Records Act

(MN Statutes §§144.291–144.298)

In addition to federal law, Stellher Human Services complies with the Minnesota Health Records Act. Under Minnesota law, you have the right to access your health records within the timeframes established by statute. We may require written and dated consent for certain disclosures as required by Minnesota law.

Minnesota law may provide additional protections or shorter response timeframes than federal law in some circumstances. When state law is more protective of your privacy than federal law, we will follow Minnesota law.

Our Responsibilities

  • Maintain the privacy and security of your health information.
  • Notify you without unreasonable delay and no later than 60 days after discovery of a breach.
  • Follow the practices described in this Notice.
  • Obtain written authorization for uses not otherwise permitted.

Change of This Notice

We may change the terms of this Notice. Changes will apply to all information we maintain and will be available in our office and on our website.

Stellher Human Services works in partnership with school districts, counties and collaboratives to provide an array of services to children, families and adults. Some of the services include: Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports, Outpatient mental health services, Substance Use Disorder Services, Peer Recovery services, Truancy prevention and intervention, School-based intervention services, Mobile Mental Health Crisis