TERMS & CONDITIONS

HIPAA INFORMATION

WEBSITE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE

USE OF THIS SITE AND ANY RELATED SERVICES ARE SUBJECT TO YOUR COMPLIANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH BELOW. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY. YOUR CONTINUED USE OF THIS SITE INDICATES YOUR AGREEMENT TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, PROMPTLY EXIT THIS SITE.

Overview:
This website contains pages and materials made available from Friendship, Inc.

Use of Friendship, Inc. Materials:
All Friendship, Inc. materials on the site are protected by federal and international copyright and trademark laws and are the property of Friendship, Inc. and/or its affiliates. No portion of the Friendship, Inc. materials may be reprinted, republished, modified, reproduced, or distributed in any form without the express written permission of Friendship, Inc.

You may view or download Friendship, Inc. materials for your own personal use. You shall keep intact any proprietary notices, including copyright notices, contained on any downloaded Friendship, Inc. materials and you shall comply with any applicable end user license agreements. With respect to Friendship, Inc. materials, any rights not expressly granted by these Terms and Conditions or any applicable end user license agreements are reserved by Friendship, Inc.

Accurary of Friendship, Inc. Materials:
Although Friendship, Inc. attempts to ensure the integrity and accurateness of the Friendship, Inc. materials, it makes no guarantees whatsoever as to their correctness or accuracy. It is possible that the Friendship, Inc. materials could include inaccuracies or errors, and that unauthorized additions, deletions and alterations could be made to these materials by third parties. In the event that an inaccuracy arises, please inform Friendship, Inc. so that it can be addressed. Information contained on the website may be changed or updated without notice.

Use of Member Materials and Third Party Materials:
All member materials and third party materials on the site are the responsibility of their respective authors, creators, and/or owners. Friendship, Inc. is not responsible for member materials and third party materials, and the views and opinions expressed in member materials and third party materials are not necessarily those of Friendship, Inc. or its affiliates. Friendship, Inc. cannot, and does not, review member materials or third party materials before they are made accessible through the website. Nevertheless, please be advised that member materials and third party materials may be protected by federal and international copyright or other laws, and your right to reprint, republish, modify, reproduce, or distribute member materials or third party materials may be limited accordingly.

Warranty Disclaimer:
THIS SITE, INCLUDING ANY CONTENT OR INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR ANY SITE-RELATED SERVICE, IS PROVIDED "AS IS," WITH NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NONINFRINGEMENT. YOU ASSUME TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY AND RISK FOR YOUR USE OF THIS SITE, SITE-RELATED SERVICES, AND ANY HYPERLINKED WEBSITES.

NOTHING CONTAINED IN THE SITE IS INTENDED TO BE INSTRUCTIONAL FOR MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS OR
TREATMENT. THE INFORMATION SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED COMPLETE, NOR SHOULD IT BE RELIED ON TO SUGGEST A COURSE OF TREATMENT FOR A PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL. IT SHOULD NOT BE USED IN PLACE OF A VISIT, CALL, CONSULTATION OR THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THE SITE IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE AND DOES NOT COVER ALL DISEASES, AILMENTS, PHYSICAL CONDITIONS OR THEIR TREATMENT. SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY HEALTH CARE RELATED QUESTIONS, CALL OR SEE YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER PROMPTLY. ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER BEFORE EMBARKING ON A NEW TREATMENT, DIET OR FITNESS PROGRAM. YOU SHOULD NEVER DISREGARD MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY IN SEEKING IT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ IN THE SITE. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE SITE IS COMPILED FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES ("INFORMATION PROVIDERS"). NEITHER FRIENDSHIP, INC. NOR INFORMATION PROVIDERS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY PRACTICE MEDICINE OR DISPENSE MEDICAL SERVICES AS PART OF THE SITE.

FRIENDSHIP, INC., ITS AFFILIATES AND ITS SPONSORS ARE NEITHER RESPONSIBLE NOR LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING IN ANY WAY TO THIS SITE, SITE-RELATED SERVICES, CONTENT OR INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN, OR ANY HYPERLINKED WEBSITE. YOUR SOLE REMEDY FOR DISSATISFACTION WITH THE SITE, SITE-RELATED SERVICES, CONTENT OR INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN, AND/OR HYPERLINKED WEBSITES IS TO STOP USING THE SITE, SITE-RELATED SERVICES, CONTENT OR INFORMATION, OR HYPERLINKED WEBSITES.

Trademark Notice:
This site includes numerous trademarks and service marks which are the property of Friendship, Inc.

Infringement:
It is Friendship, Inc.'s policy to respect the intellectual property of others and to respond quickly to notices of alleged infringement. Friendship, Inc. will terminate the access of all members who repeatedly infringe the intellectual property rights of others. Likewise, any apparent infringement of Friendship, Inc.'s intellectual property rights by one of its members will result in the immediate termination of that member’s access to the site.

Other Web Sites:
Friendship, Inc. makes no representations whatsoever about any other website that you may access through this site. When you access a non-Friendship, Inc. website, please understand that it is independent from Friendship, Inc. and that Friendship, Inc. has no control over the content on that website. In addition, a hyperlink to a non-Friendship, Inc. website does not mean that Friendship, Inc. endorses or accepts any responsibility for the content, or the use, of the linked site. It is up to you to take precautions to ensure that whatever you select for your use or download from that site is free of such items as viruses, worms, trojan horses, and other items of a destructive nature, and that such use or download complies with copyright and other applicable law.

Entire Agreement:
These Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement between Friendship, Inc. and you pertaining to the subject matter hereof. In its sole discretion, Friendship, Inc. may modify these Terms and Conditions by posting the revised version on this site.

No Unlawful or Prohibited Purpose:
As a condition of your use of this site, you warrant to Friendship, Inc. that you will not use the site for any purpose that is unlawful or prohibited by these Terms and Conditions. If Friendship, Inc. is informed that you are making a possibly unlawful or prohibited use of the website, Friendship, Inc. may unilaterally deny your further access to the website or any portion thereof.

USE OF THIS SITE AND ANY RELATED SERVICES ARE SUBJECT TO YOUR COMPLIANCE WITH THE TERMS
AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH ABOVE. PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION CAREFULLY. YOUR CONTINUED USE OF THIS SITE INDICATES YOUR AGREEMENT TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH ABOVE. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, PROMPTLY EXIT SITE.

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HIPAA

Friendship, Inc.
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

Effective Date: April 14, 2003

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

If you have any questions about this notice, please contact
Friendship, Inc.'s Privacy Official, Karla Zimmerman at (701) 235-8217.

Friendship, Inc. is required by law to maintain the privacy of your (or your ward's) health information; give you (or your ward) notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your (or your ward's) health information; and follow the terms of this notice. This notice applies to all of your (or your ward's) health records generated by Friendship, Inc., whether made by our personnel or your (or your ward's) personal physician.

This notice will tell you about the ways in which we may use and disclose your (or your ward's) health information in Friendship, Inc. and with other entities. We also describe your (or your ward's) rights and certain obligations we have regarding the use and disclosure of you (or your ward's) health information.

HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOU (OR YOUR WARD'S) HEALTH INFORMATION.

For Treatment. We will use your (or your ward's) health information to provide you (or your ward) with health care treatment and to coordinate or manage services with other health care providers, including third parties. We may disclose all or any portion of your (or your ward's) health information to your (or your ward's) attending physician, consulting physician(s), nurses, technicians, medical students, or other facility or health care personnel who have a legitimate need for such information in order to take care of you (or your ward). We may disclose your (or your ward's) health information to family members or friends, guardians or personal representatives who are involved with your (or your ward's) medical care. We may also use and disclose your (or your ward's) health information to contact you (or your ward) for appointment reminders, and to provide you (or your ward) with information about possible treatment options or alternatives and other health-related benefits and services. We also may disclose your (or your ward's) health information to people outside the facility who may be involved in your (or your ward's) health care after you (or your ward) leave the facility, such as other physicians involved in your (or your ward's) care, specialty hospitals, skilled nursing care facilities and other health care related services.

For Payment. We will use and disclose your (or your ward's) health information for activities that are necessary to receive payment for our services, such as determining insurance coverage, billing, payment and collection, claims management, and medical data processing. For example, we may tell your (or your ward's) health plan about a treatment you (or your ward) are planning in order to receive approval or to determine whether your (or your ward's) plan will cover the proposed treatment. We may disclose your (or your ward's) health information to other health care providers so they can receive payment for health care services that they provided to you (or your ward), such as ambulance services. We may also give information to other third parties or individuals who are responsible for payment for your (or your ward's) health care.
For Health Care Operations. We may disclose your (or your ward's) health information for routine facility operations, such as business planning and development, quality review of services provided, internal auditing, accreditation, certification, licensing or credentialing activities, medical research and education for staff and students, and to other healthcare entities that have a relationship with you (or your ward) and need the information for operational purposes.
USES AND DISCLOSURES THAT ARE REQUIRED OR PERMITTED BY LAW

Subject to requirements of federal, state and local laws, we are either required or permitted to report your (or your ward's) health information for various purposes. Some of these reporting requirements include:

Public Health Activities. We may disclose your (or your ward's) health information to public health officials for activities such as the prevention or control of communicable disease, injury or disability; to report births and deaths; to report suspected child abuse or neglect; to report reactions to medications or problems with medical products.
Disaster Relief Efforts. We may disclose your (or your ward's) health information to an entity assisting in a disaster relief effort so that your (or your ward's) family can be notified about your (or your ward's) condition and location.
Health Oversight Activities. We may disclose your (or your ward's) health information to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law. These oversight activities may include audits, investigations, inspections, and licensure. These activities are necessary for the government to monitor the health care system, government programs and compliance with civil rights laws.
Judicial or Administrative Proceeding. We may disclose your (or your ward's) health information in response to a court or administrative order, a valid subpoena, discovery request, civil or criminal proceedings, or other lawful process.

Law Enforcement. We may release your (or your ward's) health information if asked to do so by a law enforcement official:
In response to a court order, subpoena, warrant, summons or similar legal process;
Regarding a victim or death of a victim of a crime in limited circumstances;

"In emergency circumstances to report a crime; the location of the crime or victims; or the identity, description or location of the person who committed the crime, including crimes that may occur at our facility.

Coroners, Medical Examiners and Funeral Directors. We may release health information to a coroner or a medical examiner. This may be necessary, for example, to identify a person who died or determine the cause of death. We may also release health information to help a funeral director to carry out his/her duties.

Workers Compensation. We may release your (or your ward's) health information for workers compensation benefits or to similar programs that provide benefits for work-related injuries or illness.

To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety. We may disclose your (or your ward's)
health information when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your (or your ward's) health and safety or the health and safety of another person or the public.

National Security. We may disclose your (or your ward's) health information to federal official(s) for national security activities and for the protection of the President and other Heads of State.

OTHER USES OF YOUR (OR YOUR WARD'S) HEALTH INFORMATION

Other uses and disclosures of your (or your ward's) health information not covered by this notice or the laws that apply to us will be made only with your written authorization. If you provide us with authorization to use or disclose your (or your ward's) health information, you (or your ward) may revoke that authorization in writing at any time. When we receive your (or your ward's) written revocation, we will no longer use or disclose your (or your ward's) health information for the purpose of that authorization. However, we are unable to retrieve any disclosures already made based on your (or your ward's) prior authorization.

YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR (OR YOUR WARD'S) HEALTH INFORMATION

You have the following rights regarding your (or your ward's) health information:

Right to Inspect and Copy. You have the right to inspect your (or your ward's) health information and copy medical, billing or other records that may be used to make decisions about your (or your ward's) care.
Submit your request in writing to Friendship, Inc.'s Privacy Official, Karla Zimmerman, at 801 Page Drive in Fargo, ND 58103 or by phone at 701-235-8217. We may charge a fee for document requests to cover the costs of copying, mailing or other supplies.

In limited circumstances we may deny your (or your ward's) request to inspect and copy your (or your ward's) health information. If you (or your ward) are denied access to your (or your ward's) health information, you (or your ward) may request that the denial be reviewed. A licensed health care professional chosen by Friendship, Inc. will review your (or your ward's) request and the denial. The person who conducts the review will not be the same person who denied your (or your ward's) request. We will comply with the outcome of the review.

Right to Amend. You (or your ward) have the right to request an amendment to your (or your ward's) health information that you (or your ward) believe is incorrect or incomplete.
Submit your (or your ward's) request in writing, using a Request for Amendment to PHI form, and including your (or your ward's) reason for the amendment, to Karla Zimmerman, Privacy Official, at 801 Page Drive in Fargo, ND 58103.

We may deny your (or your ward's) request for an amendment if it is not in writing or does not include a reason to support the request. We may also deny your (or your ward's) request if you (or your ward) ask us to amend information that:

Was not created by Friendship, Inc., unless the person or entity that created the information is no longer available to make the amendment;
Is not part of the medical information kept by or for Friendship, Inc.;
Is not part of the information that you (or your ward) would be permitted to inspect and copy; or;
Is accurate and complete.
To obtain a paper copy of this request, contact Friendship, Inc.'s Privacy Official Karla Zimmerman at 801 Page Drive in Fargo, ND 58103 or by phone at 701-235-8217.

Right to an Accounting of Disclosures. We are required to maintain a list of disclosures of your (or your ward's) health information. However, we are not required to maintain a list of disclosures that we made by acting upon your (or your ward's) written authorizations. You (or your ward) have the right to request an accounting of disclosures that were not subject to your (or your ward's) written authorization.

Submit your (or your ward's) request in writing to Friendship, Inc.'s Privacy Official Karla Zimmerman, 801 Page Drive in Fargo, ND 58103. Your (or your ward's) request must state a time period, not longer than six years, and may not include dates before April 14, 2003. The format available for this disclosures request is paper. The first list you (or your ward) request within a 12-month period will be free. For additional lists, we may charge you (or your ward) for the costs of providing the list. We will notify you (or your ward) of the cost involved and you (or your ward) may choose to withdraw or modify your (or your ward's) request before any costs are incurred.

Right to Request Restrictions. You (or your ward) have the right to request a restriction or limitation on how much of your (or your ward's) health information we use or disclose for treatment, payment or health care operations. You (or your ward) also have the right to request a restriction on the disclosure of your (or your ward's) health information to someone who is involved in your (or your ward's) care or payment for your (or your ward's) care, such as a family member or friend.

We are not required to agree to your (or your ward's) request. However, if we do agree, we will comply with your (or your ward's) request unless the information is needed to provide you (or your ward) with emergency treatment.

Submit your (or your ward's) request in writing to Friendship, Inc.'s Privacy Official Karla Zimmerman at 801 Page Drive in Fargo ND, or request and submit a Request for Restrictions to Protected Health Information form. You (or your ward) must include: (1) what information you want to limit; (2) whether you want to limit our use, disclosure or both; and (3) to whom you want the limits to apply.

Right to Request Confidential Communications. You (or your ward) have the right to request that we communicate with you (or your ward) about health care matters in a certain way or at a certain location. For example, you (or your ward) can ask that we only contact you (or your ward) at an alternative location from your (or your ward's) home address, such as work, or only contact you (or your ward) by mail instead of by phone.
You (or your ward) must make your (or your ward's) request in writing to Friendship, Inc.'s Privacy Official, Karla Zimmerman at 801 Page Drive in Fargo, ND 58103 or to request and submit a "Confidential Communications Opt Out" form. Your (or your ward's) request must specify how or where you wish to be contacted. We do not require a reason for the request. We will accommodate all reasonable requests.

Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice. You (or your ward) have the right to a paper copy of this notice. You (or your ward) may ask us to give you(or your ward) a copy of this notice at any time.
To obtain a paper copy of this notice, contact Friendship, Inc.'s Privacy Official, Karla Zimmerman at 801 Page Drive in Fargo, ND 58103 or by phone at 701-235-8217.

CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE
We reserve the right to change this notice. We reserve the right to make the revised or changed notice effective for health information we already have about you (or your ward) as well as any information we receive in the future. We will post a copy of the current notice in the facility and on the Web site at www.friendship-inc.com.

COMPLAINTS
You (or your ward) may file a complaint with us or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services if you (or your ward) believe that we have not complied with our privacy practices. You (or your ward) may file a complaint with us orally or in writing by contacting Friendship, Inc.'s Privacy Official, Karla Zimmerman at 801 Page Drive in Fargo, ND 58103 or by phone at 701-235-8217.

You (or your ward) will not be penalized for filing a complaint.

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