Notice of Privacy Practices
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.
We are required by law to maintain the privacy of protected health information, to provide individuals with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to protected health information, and to notify affected individuals following a breach of unsecured protected health information.
We must follow the privacy practices that are described in this Notice while it is in effect. This Notice takes effect February 16, 2026 and will remain in effect until we replace it.
We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and the terms of this Notice at any time, provided such changes are permitted by applicable law, and to make new Notice provisions effective for all protected health information that we maintain. When we make a significant change in our privacy practices, we will change this Notice and post the new Notice clearly and prominently at our practice location, and we will provide copies of the new Notice upon request.
You may request a copy of our Notice at any time. For more information about our privacy practices, or for additional copies of this Notice, please contact us using the information listed at the end of this Notice.
How We May Use and Disclose Health Information About You
We may use and disclose your health information for different purposes, including treatment, payment, and health care operations. Some information, such as HIV-related information, genetic information, alcohol and/or substance use disorder treatment records, and mental health records may be entitled to special confidentiality protections under applicable state or federal law. We will abide by these special protections as they pertain to applicable cases involving these types of records.
Treatment
We may use and disclose your health information for your treatment. For example, we may disclose your health information to a specialist providing treatment to you.
Payment
We may use and disclose your health information to obtain reimbursement for the treatment and services you receive from us or another entity involved with your care. Payment activities include billing, collections, claims management, and determinations of eligibility and coverage.
For example, we may send claims to your dental health plan containing certain health information.
Healthcare Operations
We may use and disclose your health information in connection with our healthcare operations. These include quality assessment and improvement activities, training programs, and licensing activities.
Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment
We may disclose your health information to your family, friends, or other individuals identified by you when they participate in your care or payment for your care. If someone has legal authority to make health care decisions for you, we will treat that individual the same way we would treat you.
Disaster Relief
We may use or disclose your health information to assist in disaster relief efforts.
Required by Law
We may use or disclose your health information when required to do so by law.
Public Health Activities
We may disclose your health information for public health activities, including to:
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Prevent or control disease, injury, or disability
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Report child abuse or neglect
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Report reactions to medications or problems with products or devices
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Notify a person of a recall, repair, or replacement of products or devices
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Notify a person who may have been exposed to a disease or condition
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Notify appropriate government authorities if we believe a patient has been the victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
National Security
We may disclose health information to military authorities under certain circumstances. We may also disclose health information to authorized federal officials for lawful intelligence and national security activities, or to correctional institutions or law enforcement officials having lawful custody of an inmate or patient.
Secretary of HHS
We will disclose your health information to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services when required to investigate or determine compliance with HIPAA.
Worker’s Compensation
We may disclose your PHI as authorized and necessary to comply with laws relating to worker’s compensation or similar programs.
Law Enforcement
We may disclose your PHI for law enforcement purposes as permitted by HIPAA, required by law, or in response to a subpoena or court order.
Health Oversight Activities
We may disclose your PHI to oversight agencies for activities such as audits, investigations, inspections, and credentialing necessary for licensure and compliance.
Judicial and Administrative Proceedings
If you are involved in a lawsuit or dispute, we may disclose your PHI in response to court or administrative orders, subpoenas, or lawful processes, consistent with applicable legal protections.
Research
We may disclose your PHI to researchers whose research has been approved by an institutional review board or privacy board.
Coroners, Medical Examiners, and Funeral Directors
We may release your PHI to coroners, medical examiners, or funeral directors as necessary and permitted by law.
Fundraising
We may contact you about fundraising activities permitted by law. You may opt out of receiving such communications.
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Information
If we receive information from a program covered by 42 CFR Part 2, we will use and disclose that information strictly in accordance with the consent you have provided and applicable law. In no event will we use or disclose such information in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings without proper authorization.
Other Uses and Disclosures of PHI
Your written authorization is required for:
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Disclosure of psychotherapy notes
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Use or disclosure of PHI for marketing
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Sale of PHI
You may revoke authorization in writing at any time.
Your Health Information Rights
Access
You have the right to inspect or obtain copies of your health information. Requests must be made in writing. Reasonable, cost-based fees may apply.
If access is denied, you have the right to review of that decision as permitted by law.
Disclosure Accounting
You have the right to receive an accounting of certain disclosures of your health information.
Right to Request a Restriction
You may request restrictions on the use or disclosure of your PHI. Certain restrictions must be honored if you have paid in full for services out-of-pocket.
Alternative Communication
You may request communication through alternative means or at alternative locations.
Amendment
You may request amendments to your health information in writing.
Right to Notification of a Breach
You will be notified of breaches of unsecured protected health information as required by law.
Electronic Notice
You may request a paper copy of this Notice at any time.
Questions and Complaints
If you have questions about our privacy practices or believe your privacy rights have been violated, please contact us using the contact information listed at the end of this Notice.
You may also submit a written complaint to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We support your right to the privacy of your health information and will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
