Privacy Policy

YOUR RIGHTS. OUR RESPONSIBILITIES. THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN ACCESS THIS INFORMATION.

Please review it carefully.

This Notice of Privacy Practices ("Notice") is provided in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH), applicable Florida law, and other federal regulations governing the privacy and security of protected health information ("PHI").

For pediatric patients, references to "you" include the patient and, when applicable, the patient's parent, legal guardian, or personal representative as permitted by law.

OUR RESPONSIBILITIES

We are required by law to:

  • Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.

  • Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices.

  • Notify you following a breach of unsecured protected health information when required by law.

  • Follow the duties and privacy practices described in this Notice.

  • Comply with applicable federal and Florida privacy laws.

We reserve the right to revise this Notice and make the revised Notice effective for all information we maintain. Updated versions will be posted in our office and on our website.

HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION

Treatment

We may use and disclose your health information to provide, coordinate, and manage healthcare services. This includes:

  • Sharing information with your child's primary care physician

  • Consulting with specialists

  • Ordering laboratory tests

  • Coordinating diabetes management and endocrine care

  • Sending prescriptions to pharmacies

Payment

We may use and disclose information to obtain payment for services rendered. Examples include:

  • Billing insurance companies

  • Determining eligibility and benefits

  • Obtaining prior authorizations

  • Collecting patient balances

Healthcare Operations

We may use and disclose information for:

  • Quality improvement activities

  • Staff education and training

  • Licensing and accreditation

  • Compliance monitoring

  • Risk management

  • Business administration

Appointment Reminders and Healthcare Communications

We may contact you regarding:

  • Appointment reminders

  • Follow-up care

  • Lab results

  • Medication information

  • Preventive care reminders

  • Treatment recommendations

  • Billing matters

Communications may be made by:

  • Telephone

  • Voicemail

  • Patient portal

  • Email

  • Text message (SMS)

Individuals Involved in Care

Unless prohibited by law or your expressed wishes, we may share relevant information with:

  • Parents

  • Legal guardians

  • Family members

  • Caregivers

  • Others involved in the patient's care or payment for care

Public Health and Safety

We may disclose information for:

  • Disease prevention and control

  • Reporting child abuse or neglect

  • FDA-related reporting

  • Public health investigations

  • Serious threats to health or safety

Health Oversight Activities

We may disclose information to authorized agencies for:

  • Audits

  • Inspections

  • Investigations

  • Licensure reviews

  • Regulatory oversight

Judicial and Administrative Proceedings, Law enforcement

We may disclose information pursuant to:

  • Court orders

  • Subpoenas

  • Other lawful legal processes

  • As required or permitted by law to law enforcement officials.

Research

We may use or disclose information for approved research activities when permitted by law and appropriate privacy protections are in place.

Business Associates

We may disclose information to contractors and vendors who perform services on our behalf. These organizations are contractually obligated to protect your information and comply with HIPAA requirements.

Other Uses and Disclosures

Uses and disclosures not described in this Notice will require your written authorization unless otherwise permitted or required by law.

You may revoke an authorization at any time in writing.

YOUR RIGHTS

You have the right to:

  • Access Your Records: This includes request inspection or copies of your health information, request corrections to information you believe is incomplete or inaccurate., request restrictions, limitations on certain uses or disclosures.

  • Request Confidential Communications: Request communications by alternative means or locations.

  • Receive an Accounting of Disclosures: Request a list of certain disclosures made by the clinic.

  • Obtain a Paper Copy of This Notice: You may request a paper copy at any time. You receive a clinic copy when you sign upon scheduling an appointment at our clinic.

  • Receive Breach Notifications: You have the right to be notified following certain breaches involving unsecured protected health information.

FLORIDA-SPECIFIC PRIVACY PROVISIONS

In addition to HIPAA requirements, this practice complies with applicable Florida laws governing medical records confidentiality and patient privacy.

Where Florida law provides greater privacy protections than federal law, we will comply with the more protective standard.

Certain disclosures involving minors, mental health records, communicable disease information, substance use treatment records, and other specially protected information may be subject to additional legal requirements.

WEBSITE PRIVACY PRACTICES

When you visit our website, we may collect certain information such as:

  • IP address

  • Browser type

  • Device information

  • Website usage data

  • Contact information submitted through forms

We use this information to:

  • Operate and improve our website

  • Respond to inquiries

  • Provide patient services

  • Maintain security

  • Comply with legal requirements

We do not sell personal information collected through our website.

Third-party analytics providers may collect limited website usage information consistent with their privacy practices.

MOBILE MESSAGING PRIVACY POLICY

If you choose to receive SMS/text messages from Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic, we may use your mobile number to send:

  • Appointment reminders

  • Scheduling updates

  • Care coordination messages

  • Prescription-related notifications

  • Billing notifications

  • Patient portal reminders

  • Other healthcare-related communications

Mobile Information Privacy Statement

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.

All categories of information sharing described in this Notice exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.

We do not sell, rent, lease, transfer, or otherwise disclose mobile opt-in information for marketing purposes.

Service providers who assist us with message delivery may access information solely to provide services on our behalf and are required to maintain confidentiality and security protections.

SMS/TEXT MESSAGING TERMS & CONDITIONS

Program Description

By providing your mobile telephone number and opting in, you agree to receive SMS/text messages from Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic related to healthcare services.

Messages may include:

  • Appointment confirmations

  • Appointment reminders

  • Care instructions

  • Prescription notifications

  • Billing communications

  • Practice announcements

  • Patient service communications

Consent for SMS/Text Messaging

Participation is voluntary. Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of receiving medical treatment or services.

Message frequency varies based on your interactions with the clinic and healthcare needs. It will be available during our clinic business hours 8am-6pm only.

Message and data rates may apply according to your wireless carrier plan. Message delivery depends on your wireless carrier and is not guaranteed. Wireless carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

Opt-Out Instructions and Help

You may opt out at any time by replying:

STOP

After opting out, you will receive a confirmation message and no further SMS messages will be sent unless you re-enroll.

HELP

If writing HELP, please note that we are not a 9-1-1 service. In the event of a medical emergency, please dial 9-1-1. We will address each message as we become available. You may also contact our office at: (813) 819-3636 or email support@endokidcare.com

Privacy

Your information will be handled in accordance with this Notice of Privacy Practices and applicable law.

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.

SECURITY OF INFORMATION

We maintain administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect patient information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

Examples include:

  • Access controls

  • Encryption where appropriate

  • Secure communications systems

  • Workforce training

  • Vendor compliance requirements

COMPLAINTS

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may contact our clinic (813) 819-3636

You may also file a complaint with:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office for Civil Rights
https://www.hhs.gov/ocr

You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint.

A copy of this form is provided and signed by our patients as part of the clinic policy