Privacy Policy

Effective Date: February 25, 2026

1. Our Commitment to Privacy

Northwest Ambulance is committed to protecting the privacy and security of patient and user information. As a licensed ambulance provider in Washington State, we comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and applicable Washington State laws governing the use and protection of health information.

We understand that medical and personal information is highly sensitive, and we take our responsibility to safeguard that information seriously.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect personal and health-related information necessary to provide emergency medical services and operate our organization, including:

Patient care and medical information
Demographic information (name, address, date of birth)
Billing and insurance details
Communications with our staff or systems

This information may exist in electronic, written, or verbal form and may constitute Protected Health Information (PHI) under HIPAA.

3. How We Use Information

We use collected information only as permitted by law, including:

Treatment: To provide and coordinate patient care
Payment: To bill patients and insurance providers
Healthcare Operations: For quality improvement, training, compliance, and internal operations

These uses fall under HIPAA’s Treatment, Payment, and Healthcare Operations (TPO) provisions.

4. No Sale or Unauthorized Sharing of Data

Northwest Ambulance does not sell, rent, or trade personal or health information to third parties.

We do not share your information outside of what is permitted or required by:

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Washington State privacy laws, including RCW 70.02 (Medical Records Privacy)
Other applicable federal or state regulations

Any sharing of information is strictly limited to legitimate purposes such as treatment, billing, healthcare operations, or legal requirements.

5. When Information May Be Disclosed

We may disclose information only when permitted or required by law, including:

To hospitals, providers, or partners involved in patient care
To insurance companies for billing purposes
For public health or safety reporting
When required by law enforcement or legal processes
In emergency situations where disclosure is necessary to prevent harm

All disclosures are made in accordance with HIPAA and Washington State regulations.

6. Washington State Privacy Protections

As a Washington-based healthcare provider, we follow additional state-specific privacy requirements, including:

RCW 70.02 (Medical Records Privacy): Protects the confidentiality of patient health information and limits disclosure without authorization
EMS regulations (WAC 246-976): Require confidentiality of ambulance patient care records
Washington My Health My Data Act: Enhances consumer rights related to health data transparency and control

7. Data Security

We maintain appropriate safeguards to protect information, including:

Secure electronic systems and encryption
Access controls to limit who can view information
Workforce training on privacy and HIPAA compliance
Physical and administrative safeguards

8. Your Rights

Under HIPAA and Washington State law, individuals have the right to:

Request access to their health information
Request corrections to inaccurate information
Request limits on certain disclosures
Receive an accounting of disclosures
File a complaint without retaliation

9. Data Retention

We retain records in accordance with applicable laws and operational requirements, ensuring compliance with Washington State retention standards for healthcare records.

10. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your information, please contact:

Northwest Ambulance
Email: help@nwamb.us

Important Notice

By using our services or interacting with our organization, you acknowledge that your information may be used and disclosed as described in this Privacy Policy, consistent with HIPAA and Washington State law.