Your protected health information may be used and disclosed by your provider, our office staff, and others outside of our office who are involved in your care and treatment for the purpose of providing health care services to you. It may also be used and disclosed to process payment for health care services and to support the operation of our practice. The following are examples of the types of uses and disclosures we may make:

Treatment

We will use and disclose your protected health information to provide, coordinate, or manage your aesthetic and wellness care and any related services. This includes coordination with other providers involved in your care. For example, if you are referred to a specialist or another health care provider, we may share the necessary information to ensure continuity of your care.

Payment

Your protected health information will be used and disclosed as needed to obtain payment for the health care services provided by us or by another provider. This may include verifying insurance eligibility, reviewing medical necessity, or obtaining prior authorization.

Health Care Operations

We may use or disclose your protected health information to support the business activities of our practice, including quality assessment, staff review, licensing, and training. We work with third-party “business associates” (such as billing or transcription services) and have written agreements in place to protect the privacy of your information in those arrangements.

We may contact you with information about treatment alternatives or health-related services that may be of interest to you. You may contact our Privacy Officer at any time to opt out of receiving such communications.

Other Permitted and Required Uses and Disclosures

We may use or disclose your protected health information without your written authorization in the following circumstances:

update this notice at any time, and the new notice will be effective for all protected health information we maintain at that time. To request a revised copy, you may visit our website, call our office, or ask for one at your next appointment.

Required by Law

We may use or disclose your protected health information to the extent required by law, in compliance with applicable legal requirements.

Public Health

We may disclose your protected health information to a public health authority authorized by law to collect or receive the information, for purposes such as preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability.

Communicable Diseases

We may disclose your protected health information, if authorized by law, to a person who may have been exposed to a communicable disease or may otherwise be at risk of contracting or spreading it.

Health Oversight

We may disclose protected health information to a health oversight agency for lawful activities such as audits, investigations, and inspections conducted by government agencies overseeing the health care system.

Abuse or Neglect

We may disclose your protected health information to a public health authority authorized to receive reports of child abuse or neglect. We may also disclose your information if we believe you have been a victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence, consistent with applicable federal and state laws.

Food and Drug Administration

We may disclose your protected health information as required by the FDA for the purpose of tracking, safety surveillance, or reporting related to FDA-regulated products or activities.

Legal Proceedings

We may disclose protected health information in the course of judicial or administrative proceedings, in response to a court order, subpoena, or other lawful process.

Law Enforcement

We may disclose protected health information to law enforcement when required by law, including in response to legal process, to identify or locate a person, in connection with a crime victim, or when a crime occurs on our premises.

Coroners, Funeral Directors, and Organ Donation

We may disclose protected health information to a coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director as authorized by law, and for cadaveric organ, eye, or tissue donation purposes.

Research

We may disclose your protected health information to researchers when the research has been approved by an institutional review board with established protocols to protect the privacy of your information.

Preventing Serious Threats

We may disclose your protected health information if we believe it is necessary to prevent a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a person or the public, consistent with applicable federal and state laws.

Military, National Security, and Workers’ Compensation

We may use or disclose your protected health information as required for military activities, national security, intelligence purposes, or to comply with workers’ compensation laws.

Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Written Authorization

Any use or disclosure of your protected health information not described above will be made only with your written authorization. You may revoke your authorization in writing at any time; however, we are unable to take back disclosures already made in reliance on your authorization.

Opportunity to Agree or Object

In certain situations, we may use or disclose your protected health information and you will have the opportunity to agree or object. If you are unable to agree or object, your provider may use professional judgment to determine what is in your best interest.

Family Members and Others Involved in Your Care

Unless you object, we may disclose protected health information to a family member, relative, close friend, or other person you identify, when that information directly relates to their involvement in your health care. We may also use or disclose your information to notify family members or caregivers of your location, general condition, or death, or in connection with disaster relief efforts.