Privacy Policy
Effective Date: January 3, 2025
1. Introduction
Health Focus Functional Medicine (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of our patients’ personal and health information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website (www.healthfocusmed.com) and receive our services. By accessing our website or using our services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.
2. Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of information from you in the course of providing our services:
- Personal Identification Information: Name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, driver’s license number, and other identifiers.
- Health Information: Medical history, treatment records, medications, and other health-related details necessary for your care.
- Financial Information: Insurance details, billing address, and payment information.
- Technical Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, and browsing behavior on our website. This information is typically collected through cookies or similar tracking technologies.
3. How We Use Your Information
We may use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- Treatment: To provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare services, including consultations, diagnoses, and treatments.
- Payment: To process payment for services rendered, manage billing, and work with insurance companies and other payors.
- Healthcare Operations: To conduct quality assessments, staff training, and administrative activities that support our services.
- Legal Compliance: To comply with federal and state regulations, including but not limited to HIPAA and the Texas Medical Records Privacy Act, as well as other applicable laws and regulations.
4. Information Sharing and Disclosure
We may share your information with third parties under the following circumstances:
- With Your Consent: We may disclose your information to other healthcare providers, family members, or caregivers involved in your treatment or payment, with your explicit authorization when required.
- For Treatment and Healthcare Operations: We may share your information with other healthcare entities (e.g., laboratories, specialists) as necessary to provide you with appropriate healthcare services and to operate effectively.
- As Required by Law: We may disclose your information to comply with legal obligations, court orders, subpoenas, or governmental requests.
- Business Associates: We work with third-party service providers (e.g., billing and IT support) who perform functions on our behalf. These providers have access to certain information only as necessary to perform their tasks and are obligated to maintain the confidentiality and security of the information.
5. Data Security
We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include (but are not limited to):
- Secure servers and encryption of sensitive data
- Regular system monitoring and access control procedures
- Staff training on privacy and data protection
Please note that while we strive to protect your information, no security measures are guaranteed to be completely impenetrable.
6. Your Rights
Under HIPAA and applicable Texas state law, you have the following rights with respect to your health information:
- Access: You may request copies of your medical records and other health information we maintain about you.
- Amendment: You may request corrections to your health information if you believe it is inaccurate or incomplete.
- Restrictions: You may request that we limit how we use or disclose your health information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. While we will consider all requests, we may not be able to honor every request due to legal or operational requirements.
- Confidential Communications: You may request that we communicate with you using alternative means or alternative locations (e.g., mailing information to a P.O. Box instead of your home address).
- Accounting of Disclosures: You may request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your health information.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the “Contact Us” section below.
7. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or to comply with legal requirements. When we make changes, we will post the updated policy on our website, and the Effective Date at the top of this policy will be revised accordingly. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.
8. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or would like to exercise any of your rights regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, you may contact us by using any of the methods below:
9. Acknowledgment
By accessing our website or using our services, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this Privacy Policy and agree to be bound by its terms.
