Privacy Practices & Procedures

Confidentiality

Respecting the confidentiality of our patients is of utmost importance to the professionals at API. Alvarado Parkway Institute complies with all state and federal regulations concerning the privacy of protected healthcare information.

We do not permit the use of recording devices or cameras. We count on everyone to respect the rights of other patients and their family members regarding confidentiality. We assure you that our staff is committed to maintaining your privacy and confidentiality.

In accordance with state and federal law, Alvarado Parkway Institute will not confirm or deny the presence of any patient without the patient’s written consent to protect their confidentiality. This applies to families as well.

Privacy Practices

Alvarado Parkway Institute is a HIPAA compliant facility and follows federal and state regulations regarding confidentiality and the release of patient information, which may include the following: psychiatric diagnosis, drug and alcohol abuse, and HIV/HBV status. It is our policy to disclose treatment information both verbally and in writing to referring clinicians whenever necessary to further the objectives of diagnosis and treatment. Speak with your treating clinician about any concerns you may have regarding your medical records. CLICK HERE for a full copy of API’s Notice of Privacy Practices.

API Charge Description Master

The charge description master (CDM) for Alvarado Parkway Institute (API) Behavioral Health System is made available for your information required by the California Health and Safety Code and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. The information should not be used to accurately estimate final patient cost. The charges contained in API’s CDM are the same for all patients, regardless of insurance company or coverage. However, the charges do not reflect actual reimbursement, which is influenced by a variety of internal and external factors, including negotiated health plan rates, fixed government rates, and more. CLICK HERE for the 25 Common Procedures.

Nondiscrimination Policy

Alvarado Parkway Institute Behavioral Health System (API) does not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in admission to, participation in, or receipt of the services and benefits under any of its programs and activities.

This statement is in accordance with the provisions of Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act which builds on the Federal civil rights laws Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (nondiscrimination on the basis of disability), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (nondiscrimination on the basis of age), and Regulations of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued pursuant to these statues at Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations Part 80, 84, and 91 (and state laws or hospital policies).

Grievance Policy

In compliance with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, any person who believes she or he has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability may file a grievance.

• Grievances must be submitted to the Patient/504 Representative within 30 days of the date the person filing the grievance becomes aware of the alleged discriminatory action.
• A complaint must be in writing, containing the name and address of the person filing the complaint. It must state the problem or action alleged to be discriminatory and the remedy or relief sought.
• The Patient/504 Representative or her/his designee shall conduct an investigation of the complaint. The investigation shall afford all interested persons an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the complaint. Alvarado Parkway Institute shall maintain the files and records of grievances, related evidence, and corrective actions, remedies or relief whether the complaint was substantiated or not.
• The Patient/504 Representative will issue a written decision on the grievance no later than 30 days after filing.
• The person filing the grievance may appeal the decision of the Patient/504 Representative by writing to the Chief Executive Officer or API’s Board of Directors within 15 days of receiving the Patient Representative’s decision. The Chief Executive Officer shall issue a written decision in response of the appeal no later than 30 days after receipt of the appeal.

It is against the law for API to retaliate against anyone who files a grievance or cooperates in the investigation of a grievance.

Use of API’s grievance procedure does not prevent a person from filing a complaint of discrimination on the basis of disability with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights.

The Patient/504 Representative, on behalf of Alvarado Parkway Institute Behavioral Health System, will make appropriate accommodations, if needed, to ensure that disabled persons are able to participate in this grievance process. Such arrangements may include, but are not limited to, providing interpreters for the deaf, recorded materials for the blind and barrier free access for the proceedings.

If you have any concerns about discrimination, please contact:
Patient/504 Representative:
Andrew Noorollah, PhD., Director of Clinical Services
(619) 667-6162 or California Relay Service: 1-(800)738-2929

Interpreter/Translation and Deaf or Hard of Hearing Services

Alvarado Parkway Institute Behavioral Health System is committed to help patients build a direct relationship with their healthcare providers/treatment team through accurate, complete and thorough interpretation/translation.

We are dedicated to providing culturally competent services and facilitating access to psychiatric and substance use disorder treatment for limited English proficient patients, their families and visitors through a full-range of language related services of the highest quality and utility.

API has a culturally diverse clinical staff proficient in many languages. Staff members are used to assist in translation where appropriate. The hospital uses Cyracom language solutions translation and interpreter services at no additional cost to our patients if further interpreter services are needed.

Likewise, API uses Deaf Community Services Sign Language Interpreter Services at no additional cost to our patients when no clinical staff members proficient in American Sign Language are available .

Accessibility to Persons with Disabilities

The regulation implementing Section 504 requires that an agency/facility “…adopt and implement procedures to ensure that interested persons, including persons with impaired vision or hearing, can obtain information as to the existence and location of services, activities, and facilities that are accessible to and usable by disabled persons.” (45 C.F.R. §84.22 (f))

Alvarado Parkway Institute and all of its programs are accessible to disabled persons, including persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or blind, or who have other sensory impairments.

Access features include:

• Convenient off-street parking designated specifically for disabled persons.
• Curb cuts between parking areas and buildings.
• Level access into first floor areas with elevator access to all floors.
• Fully accessible offices, meeting rooms, bathrooms, public waiting areas, cafeteria, and patient treatment areas.
• A full range of assistive and communication aides provided to persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or blind, or have other sensory impairments at no additional charge.