Notice of Privacy Practices

Our responsibilities

• We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information (PHI).
• We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
• We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and give you a copy of it.
• We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing.

How we may use and disclose your information

Treatment

We use your health information to provide care and share it with other professionals who are treating you.

Payment

We use and share your information to bill and get payment for services, including from financing providers you choose.

Health care operations

We use your information to run our practice, improve care and contact you when necessary, such as appointment reminders.

Other uses permitted or required by law

• Public health and safety, and health oversight activities.
• Responding to lawsuits, legal actions and law enforcement requests as permitted.
• Complying with the law, including requests from the Department of Health and Human Services.

Uses that require your written authorization

We will not use or share your information for marketing purposes, sell your information, or use your photos (including before-and-after images) in any publication or on our website without your written authorization. You may revoke an authorization at any time in writing.

Your rights

• Get a copy of your medical record, usually within 30 days of your request.
• Ask us to correct information you think is incorrect or incomplete.
• Request confidential communications, such as contacting you at a different address or phone.
• Ask us to limit what we use or share. We are not required to agree in all cases.
• Get a list of those with whom we've shared your information.
• Get a paper copy of this notice at any time.
• Choose someone to act for you, such as a legal guardian.

Minimum necessary

When we use or share your health information, we limit it to the minimum necessary to accomplish the purpose, except for treatment or when you have authorized otherwise.

Clinical photographs

Before-and-after photographs are part of your medical record. We use them for your care and planning. Any use in education, publications or on our website requires your specific written authorization, which you may decline or revoke without affecting your care.

File a complaint

If you believe your rights have been violated, you can contact our Privacy Officer using the details below, or file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Changes to this notice

We can change the terms of this notice, and the changes will apply to all information we have about you. The new notice will be available upon request, in our office and on our website.