April 14, 2003

1.         Med-Surg Group, Inc. may use and disclose protected health information for treatment, payment and healthcare operations. Examples of these include, but are not limited to, requested preschool, life insurance or sports physicals, referral to nursing homes, foster care homes, home health agencies and/or referral to other providers for treatment. Payment examples include, but are not limited to, insurance companies for claims including coordination of benefits with other insurers; collection agencies. Healthcare operations include, but is not limited to, internal quality control and assurance including auditing of records.

2.         Med-Surg Group, Inc. is permitted or required to use or disclose protected health      information without the individuals written consent or authorization in certain circumstances.  Two examples of such are for public health requirements or court orders.

3.         Med-Surg Group, Inc. will not make any other use or disclosure of a patient's protected health information without the individual's written authorization. Such authorization may be revoked at any time. Revocation must be written.

4.         Med-Surg Group, Inc. may at times contact the patient to provide appointment reminders or information regarding treatment alternatives or other health-related      benefits and services that may be of interest to the individual patient.

5.         Med-Surg Group, Inc. will abide by the terms of this notice currently in effect at the time of the disclosure.

6.         Med-Surg Group, Inc. reserves the right to change the terms of its notice and to make new notice provisions effective for all protected health information that it     maintains.

7.         Med-Surg Group, Inc. will provide each patient with a copy of any revisions of its Notice of Privacy Practices at the time of their next visit, or at their last known address if there is a need to use or disclose any protected health information of the patient. Copies may also be obtained at any time at our offices.

8.         Any person/patient may file a complaint to the Practice and to the Secretary of Health and Human Services if they believe their privacy rights have been violated. To file a complaint with the practice, please contact the Privacy Officer at the following address and/or phone number: 502 Main Street , Oak Hill , WV 25901 . 304-465-1030  All complaints will be addressed and the results will be reported to the Privacy Officer.

9.         It is Med-Surg Group's policy that no retaliatory action will be made against any individual who submits or conveys a complaint of suspected or actual noncompliance of the privacy standards.