Privacy Policy
Effective Date: October 9, 2024
Introduction
Advanced Digestive Care PC (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy of our patients and website visitors. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
Types of Information Collected
We collect the following types of personal information:
- Contact Information: Name, phone number, email address, and mailing address.
- Demographic Information: Age, gender, and preferred language.
- Health Information: We collect health information that is necessary for your diagnosis and treatment. This may include your medical history, symptoms, examination findings, and test results.
- Website Usage Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, and pages visited on our website.
How Information is Collected
We collect information through the following methods:
- Website Forms: When you submit inquiries or schedule appointments through our website.
- Patient Intake Forms: When you provide information during your office visits.
- Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies and similar technologies to collect website usage data.
Purpose of Data Collection
We collect your information for the following purposes:
- Patient Care: To provide, coordinate, and manage your healthcare.
- Patient Communication: To communicate with you about your appointments, treatment plans, and other healthcare needs.
- Website Improvement: To analyze website traffic and improve user experience.
- Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws and regulations, including HIPAA.
Data Security Measures
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. These measures include:
- Data Encryption: We use encryption to protect sensitive data during transmission and storage.
- Access Controls: We restrict access to your information to authorized personnel only.
- Regular Security Assessments: We conduct regular security assessments to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
- HIPAA Compliance: We maintain policies and procedures to ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations.
Data Sharing
We will not share your personal information with third parties except as follows:
- Business Associates: We may share your information with business associates who assist us in providing healthcare services, such as laboratories and pharmacies. These entities are required to comply with applicable privacy laws, including HIPAA.
- Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information as required by law or legal process.
User Rights
You have the following rights regarding your personal information:
- Access: You can request access to your personal information.
- Rectification: You can request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Erasure: You can request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
- Restriction of Processing: You can request restriction of processing of your personal information under certain circumstances.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or your privacy rights, please contact us at:
Advanced Digestive Care PC
6255 Inkster Rd., Suite 104
Garden City, MI 48135
248-590-0202
manager@advanceddigest.com
SMS Communication
We offer the option to receive appointment reminders and other healthcare-related communications via SMS message. This is an optional service and is not required for treatment or care at Advanced Digestive Care PC. You can opt in or out of receiving SMS messages at any time. You can indicate your preference on our intake forms (available in our office and online, including on our HIPAA and appointment request forms) or by contacting our office.
Note: This Privacy Policy is subject to change. We encourage you to review it periodically for updates.
Terms of Service (TOS)
SMS Appointment Reminders and Consent
By providing your phone number, you consent to receive SMS messages from Dr. Bashar Hmoud’s office, including appointment confirmations, reminders (1–3 messages per week), and scheduling updates. Consent is given via form or checkbox opt-in and is not a condition of receiving healthcare services.
Message Frequency and Charges
Typically, 1–3 messages per week are sent, though additional messages may be sent under special circumstances. Standard messaging rates may apply.
Opt-Out Instructions
You can opt out anytime by replying “STOP” to any SMS message. After opting out, you will no longer receive SMS reminders, but other notifications may be sent via phone or email.
Consent Verification
Upon opting into SMS reminders, you will receive a confirmation message. Replying “YES” confirms your consent to receive future SMS communications.
Delivery Disclaimer
Dr. Bashar Hmoud’s office is not responsible for delays or failures in SMS delivery due to mobile carrier issues.
Data Privacy and Security
Your phone number is securely stored and used only for appointment-related communications. We comply with HIPAA guidelines and mobile carrier regulations.