Privacy Policy for Ascend Psychiatry and Wellness
Our Commitment to Your Privacy
Ascend Psychiatry and Wellness is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your personal information and health information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website and use our telepsychiatry services.
Information We Collect
We collect personal information including your name, contact information, date of birth, insurance information, and payment details when you schedule appointments or use our services. As a healthcare provider, we also collect protected health information (PHI) necessary for providing psychiatric care, including medical history, psychiatric symptoms, medications, and treatment records. This information is protected under HIPAA.
How We Use Your Information
We use your information to provide psychiatric services and telepsychiatry appointments, schedule and confirm appointments, process payments and billing, coordinate care with other healthcare providers when authorized, and comply with legal requirements. We will never sell your personal or health information to third parties.
HIPAA Compliance
As a covered healthcare entity under HIPAA, we maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information. Our use and disclosure of your health information is governed by our Notice of Privacy Practices, which is provided at the start of treatment and available upon request.
Information Sharing
We share your information only with your written consent, for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations with business associates bound by confidentiality agreements, as required by law, or to prevent serious and imminent threats to health or safety.
Telepsychiatry Security
Our telepsychiatry services use HIPAA-compliant video conferencing platforms with encryption to protect your privacy during virtual appointments. We comply with all applicable federal and state telemedicine regulations.
Data Security
We implement appropriate technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect your information including secure servers, data encryption, password protection, and staff training on privacy practices. While we take reasonable measures to protect your information, no electronic system is completely secure.
Your Privacy Rights
Under HIPAA, you have the right to access your health records, request amendments, receive an accounting of disclosures, request restrictions on uses and disclosures, and file a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. Contact our office for more information about your rights.
Cookies and Website Usage
Our website may use cookies to enhance user experience and analyze website traffic. You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings.
Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of external sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies.
Changes to This Policy
We may modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Updated policies will be posted on our website. Continued use of our services indicates acceptance of any changes.
Contact Us
If you have questions regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact Ascend Psychiatry and Wellness at [Insert Contact Information].
Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our Privacy Officer or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights at www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.