Book Your Appointment

Notice of Privacy Practices

Effective January 1, 2013

 

This Notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully. If you have any questions, please contact our office. We are required by law to: Maintain the privacy of your protected health information, give you this notice of our duties and privacy practices regarding health information about you, and follow the terms of our notice that is currently in effect.

HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION:

Described as follows are the ways we may use and disclose health information that identifies you (Health Information, or PHI). Except for the following purposes, we will use and disclose Health Information only with your written permission. You may revoke such permission at any time by writing to us and stating that you wish to revoke permission you previously gave us.

Treatment. We may use and disclose Health Information for your treatment and to provide you with treatment-related health care services. For example, we may disclose Health Information to doctors, nurses, technicians, or other personnel, including people outside our office, who are involved in your medical care and need the information to provide you with medical care.

Payment. We may use and disclose Health Information so that we may bill and receive payment from you, an insurance company, or a third party for the treatment and services you received. For example, we may give your health plan information so that they will pay for your treatment. However, if you pay for your services yourself (e.g., out-of-pocket and without any third-party contribution or billing), we will not disclose Health Information to a health plan if you instruct us to not do so.

Health Care Operations. We may use and disclose Health Information for health care operation purposes. These uses and disclosures are necessary to make sure that all of our patients receive quality care and to operate and manage our office. For example, we may use and disclose information to make sure the care you receive is of the highest quality. Subject to the exception above if you pay for your care yourself, we also may share information with other entities that have a relationship with you (for example, your health plan) for their health care operations.

Appointment Reminders, Treatment Alternatives and Health Related Benefits and Services. We may use and disclose Health Information to contact you and to remind you that you have an appointment with us. We also may use and disclose Health Information to tell you about treatment alternatives or health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you. We will not, however, send you communications about health-related or non-health-related products or services that are subsidized by a third party without your authorization.

Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment for Your Care. When appropriate, we may share Health Information with a person who is involved in your medical care or payment for your care, such as your family or a close friend. We also may notify your family about your location or general condition or disclose such information to an entity assisting in a disaster relief effort.

Research. Under certain circumstances, we may use and disclose Health Information for research. For example, a research project may involve comparing the health of patients who received one treatment to those who received another, for the same condition. Before we use or disclose Health Information for research, the project will go through an approval process. Even without approval, we may permit researchers to look at records to help them identify patients who may be included in their research project or for other similar purposes, as long as they do not remove or take a copy of any Health Information.

Fundraising and Marketing. Health Information may be used for fundraising communications, but you have the right to opt out of receiving such communications. Except for the exceptions detailed above, uses and disclosures of Health Information for marketing purposes, as well as disclosures that constitute a sale of Health Information, require your authorization if we receive any financial remuneration from a third party in exchange for making the communication, and we must advise you that we are receiving remuneration.

Other Uses. Other uses and disclosures of Health Information not contained in this Notice may be made only with your authorization.

SPECIAL SITUATIONS:

As Required by Law. We will disclose Health Information when required to do so by federal, state or local law.

To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety. We may use and disclose Health Information when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of the public or another person. Disclosures, however, will be made only to someone who may help prevent the threat.

Business Associates. We may disclose Health Information to our business associates that perform functions on our behalf or provide us with services if the information is necessary for such functions or services. For example, we may use another company to perform billing services on our behalf. All of our business associates are obligated to protect the privacy of your information and are not allowed to use or disclose any information other than as specified in our contract.

Organ and Tissue Donation. If you are an organ donor, we may use or release Health Information to organizations that handle organ procurement or other entities engaged in procurement; banking or transportation of organs, eyes, or tissues to facilitate organ, eye or tissue donation; and transplantation.

Military and Veterans. If you are a member of the armed forces, we may release Health Information as required by military command authorities. We also may release Health Information to the appropriate foreign military authority if you are a member of a foreign military.

Workers’ Compensation. We may release Health Information for workers’ compensation or similar programs. These programs provide benefits for work-related injuries or illness.

Public Health Risks. We may disclose Health Information for public health activities. These activities generally include disclosures to prevent or control disease, injury or disability; report births and deaths; report child abuse or neglect; report reactions to medications or problems with products; notify people of recalls of products they may be using; a person who may have been exposed to a disease or may be at risk for contracting or spreading a disease or condition; and the appropriate government authority if we believe a patient has been the victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence. We will only make this disclosure if you agree or when required or authorized by law.

Health Oversight Activities. We may disclose Health Information to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law. These oversight activities include, for example, 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.

Lawsuits. If you are involved in a lawsuit or a dispute, we may disclose Health Information in response to a court or administrative order. We also may disclose Health Information in response to a subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process by someone else involved in the dispute, but only if efforts have been made to tell you about the request or to obtain an order protecting the information requested.

Law Enforcement. We may release Health Information if asked by a law enforcement official if the information is: (1) in response to a court order, subpoena, warrant, summons or similar process; (2) limited information to identify or locate a suspect, fugitive, material witness, or missing person; (3) about the victim of a crime even if, under limited circumstances, we are unable to obtain the person’s agreement; (4) about a death we believe may be the result of criminal conduct; (5) about criminal conduct on our premises; and (6) in an emergency to report a crime, the location of the crime or victims, or the identity, description or location of the person who committed the crime.

Coroners, Medical Examiners and Funeral Directors. We may release Health Information to a coroner or medical examiner. This may be necessary, for example, to identify a deceased person or determine the cause of death. We also may release Health Information to funeral directors as necessary for their duties.

National Security and Intelligence Activities. We may release Health Information to authorized federal officials for intelligence, counterintelligence, and other national security activities authorized by law.

Protective Services for the President and Others. We may disclose Health Information to authorized federal officials so they may provide protection to the President, other authorized persons, or foreign heads of state, or to conduct special investigations.

Inmates or Individuals in Custody. If you are an inmate of a correctional institution or under the custody of a law enforcement official, we may release Health Information to the correctional institution or law enforcement official. This release would be if necessary: (1) for the institution to provide you with health care; (2) to protect your health and safety or the health and safety of others; or (3) the safety and security of the correctional institution.

YOUR RIGHTS: You have the following rights regarding Health Information we have about you:

Right to Inspect and Copy. You have a right to inspect and copy Health Information that may be used to make decisions about your care or payment for your care. This includes medical and billing records, other than psychotherapy notes. To inspect and copy this Health Information, you must make your request, in writing, to our office.

Right to Amend. If you feel that Health Information, we have is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask us to amend the information. You have the right to request an amendment for as long as the information is kept by or for our office. To request an amendment, you must make your request, in writing, to our office.

Right to an Accounting of Disclosures. You have the right to request a list of certain disclosures we made of Health Information for purposes other than treatment, payment and health care operations or for which you provided written authorization. To request an accounting of disclosures, you must make your request, in writing, to our office.

Right to Request Restrictions. You have the right to request a restriction or limitation on the Health Information we use or disclose for treatment, payment, or health care operations. You also have the right to request a limit on the Health Information we disclose to someone involved in your care or the payment for your care, like a family member or friend. For example, you could ask that we not share information about a particular diagnosis or treatment with your spouse. To request a restriction, you must make your request, in writing, to our office.

We are not required to agree to all such requests. If we agree, we will comply with your request unless the information is needed to provide you with emergency treatment.

Right to Request Confidential Communication. You have the right to request that we communicate with you about medical matters in a certain way or at a certain location. For example, you can ask that we only contact you by mail or at work. To request confidential communication, you must make your request, in writing, to our office. Your request must specify how or where you wish to be contacted. We will accommodate reasonable requests.

Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice. You have the right to a paper copy of this notice. You may ask us to give you a copy of this notice at any time. Even if you have agreed to receive this notice electronically, you are still entitled to a paper copy of this notice. You may obtain a copy of this notice at our web site, https://localeyedoctor.com/. To obtain a paper copy of this notice please request it in writing.

Right to Electronic Records. You have the right to receive a copy of your electronic health records in electronic form.

Right to Breach Notification. You have the right to be notified if there is a Breach of privacy such that your Health Information is disclosed or used improperly or in an unsecured way.

CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE: We reserve the right to change this notice and make the new notice apply to Health Information we already have as well as any information we receive in the future. We will post a copy of our current notice at our office. The notice will contain the effective date on the first page.

COMPLAINTS: If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our office or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. All complaints must be made in writing. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.

Identifiable Information We Collect & Use
Information collected through our Website: We may collect, store, and share personally identifiable information about you that you voluntarily submit to us on the Website. Such information may include your name, email address, phone number, physical address, company name, and other similar information that may specifically identify you.
In general, we receive such information when you:

    • Register to use our Website
    • Subscribe to any newsletters or contact service
    • Submit your information to us through any forms on the Website
    • Download information from the Website
    • Contact us via the Website or any information on the Website
    • Respond to any surveys we request you complete for research purposes
    • Carry out any other transactions on our Website or in conjunction with our Services
    • Provide information to be published or displayed on public areas of the Website

We, or our servers, may also collect general, internet-user information that uniquely identifies the user, such as your Internet Protocol (IP) address, location data, or other information that identifies the computer, mobile device, tablet, or other device you use to access this Website.
We will generally use such information submitted by you or collected by us on our Website to:

    • Operate and improve our Website or implement future Websites
    • Send responsible marketing and communications about our Services
    • Contact you in connection with your requests for information or our Services
    • Fulfill your requests for or engage to provide you with Your Local Eye Doctor products or Services
    • Engage in market research or project planning
    • Troubleshoot problems or protect against errors, fraud, or other criminal activity
    • Comply with the law, protect or defend our rights or the rights of other users of our Website, or act in an emergency to protect someone’s safety
    • Further our legitimate business interests
    • Otherwise with your express consent

Information collected through our Services: We may also collect, store, and share information about you that you submit to us during your use of our Services. Such information may include your image, voice, name, email address, phone number, physical address, company name, and other similar information that may specifically identify you.
We will generally use such information submitted by you or collected by us during our provision of Services to:

    • Provide the Services offered by Your Local Eye Doctor, including but not limited to any purchases made of
    • Your Local Eye Doctor products and/or Services, in accordance with the terms of any agreement(s) between you and Your Local Eye Doctor
    • Operate and improve our Services
    • Perform market research and analyze software usage and trends
    • Send responsible marketing and communications about our Services
    • Further our legitimate business interests
    • Otherwise with your express consent

Information shared with third parties: Your Local Eye Doctor occasionally uses certain third parties to operate our Website or provide the Services that you may request. To the extent that this Website or your agreement with Your Local Eye Doctor utilizes such third parties, the privacy policies and practices of those third parties will govern the use of your information. Your Local Eye Doctor is not responsible for the privacy practices of third parties.
We do not share information with non-affiliated companies or individuals except to provide products or Services you have requested, when we have your permission or authorization, or under the following circumstances:

    • Where allowed by law, we may provide information to trusted companies or individuals who work on behalf of or with Your Local Eye Doctor under confidentiality agreements, business engagement agreements, or other similar contracts. These companies and individuals may use your personal information to help Your Local Eye Doctor achieve its business goals, communicate with you, ensure this Website remains functional and operational, etc. As such, we generally strive to ensure such other companies or individuals provide the same measure of safety and protection as Your Local Eye Doctor.
    • We also may access and/or disclose any information, including personally identifiable information, as required by courts, administrative agencies, or otherwise required by law, and to the extent necessary to permit us to investigate suspected fraud, harassment, or other violations of any law, rule, or regulation, the rules or policies of this Website, the rights of third parties, or to investigate any suspected conduct which Your Local Eye Doctor deems improper.
    • Finally, we may transfer any information, including personally identifiable information, to our successors in business who may take control of our Website assets.

We also utilize certain regular third-party providers to operate our Website or to provide our Services. Your Local Eye Doctor is not responsible for the practices of any such third parties unless otherwise required by law.

Control of Your Information
To ensure the privacy and protection of your personally identifiable information, we leave control over your personal data in your hands. Depending on the laws and regulations of your country, state, or other jurisdiction, you may request that we:

    • Explain to you the manner in which we use your personal information
    • Provide a copy of any information we have collected about you or that you have provided to us
    • Delete any of your personal information
    • Correct or otherwise amend your personal information
    • Stop contacting you (such as via newsletters, emails, etc.) using such information

To the extent that you have previously consented to our processing of your personal information, you may be allowed to later withdraw that consent. We also will not retain your data for any longer than is reasonably necessary to achieve the purposes for which it was provided and will periodically erase old data in accordance with our data retention schedule. In no case will we retain your data for an unreasonable period of time.
To make any of the above requests, or to obtain additional information, please send us a communication marked “Privacy – Personally Identifiable Information”.
Note that you may also set your browser to refuse all or some browser cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent. If you disable or refuse cookies, please note that some parts of this Website may then be inaccessible or not function properly.
Your Local Eye Doctor reserves the right to deny any such requests, in Your Local Eye Doctor’s discretion, where Your Local Eye Doctor is permitted to do so by applicable law.

SMS PRIVACY AND DATA
Your Local Eye Doctor may, from time to time, use information that you submit to us to send you electronic messages in the course of providing Services to you, including SMS messages. Your Local Eye Doctor and its vendors (including EZ Texting), promise to only utilize your mobile number to the extent permitted by you in your use of the Website, Content, or Services. Your Local Eye Doctor and its vendors will not share, publish, sell, or otherwise disseminate your mobile number for any other purpose. However, Your Local Eye Doctor reserves the right to disclose any information necessary as required under any law, regulation, or governmental agency request.

By providing my phone number to Your Local Eye Doctor, I agree and acknowledge that Your Local Eye Doctor may send text messages to my wireless phone number for any purpose. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency will vary, and you will be able to Opt-out by replying “STOP”. For more information on how your data will be handled please visit or see the privacy policy below;

No mobile information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.

By completing any forms, requests, or submissions on the Website, you agree to provide accurate, complete, and true information. Thus, you may not take any action that is misleading or prohibited by law, including but not limited to, providing false or misleading name(s), contact information, or request, and/or submitting information on behalf of a third-party without the third-party’s prior consent. If Your Local Eye Doctor, in Your Local Eye Doctor’s sole discretion, believes that any information you submit is untrue, inaccurate, or incomplete, Your Local Eye Doctor reserves the right to refuse to provide or terminate your access to the Website, Content, or Services.