Located at: 700 4th St., Blanco, TX 78606
Phone: (830) 554-9332
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Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy for Rolling Hills Eye Care PLLC

Effective Date: 12/26/2024

Rolling Hills Eye Care PLLC (“we”, “our”, “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our patients’ health information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and safeguard your personal and medical information in compliance with applicable privacy laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, or other relevant local laws.

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of personal information:

  • Personal Identification Information: Name, address, phone number, email address, date of birth, and emergency contact details.
  • Health Information: Medical history, diagnoses, prescriptions, treatment plans, test results, and other health-related data.
  • Payment Information: Insurance details, billing information, and payment history.
  • Communication Data: Any information you provide during consultations, via our website, or through other communication methods.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal and health information for the following purposes:

  • Medical Treatment: To provide, coordinate, and manage your medical care, including diagnosing conditions, prescribing medications, and providing treatment.
  • Administrative Purposes: To manage appointments, billing, and insurance claims.
  • Legal Requirements: To comply with federal, state, or local laws, regulations, and court orders.
  • Communication: To inform you about your health, remind you of appointments, or provide updates on our services.

3. How We Protect Your Information

We implement appropriate physical, electronic, and administrative safeguards to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. This includes encrypted electronic records, secure storage of paper records, and restricted access to sensitive information within our organization.

4. Disclosure of Your Information

We may disclose your information to third parties in the following circumstances:

  • Healthcare Providers: To physicians, specialists, hospitals, or pharmacies involved in your care.
  • Insurance Providers: For billing, claims, and reimbursement purposes.
  • Legal Compliance: When required by law or to comply with legal processes (e.g., subpoenas, warrants).
  • Other Third Parties: With your explicit consent or when necessary for business operations (e.g., billing services, data storage).

5. Your Rights Regarding Your Information

You have the right to:

  • Access Your Information: You can request to review or obtain copies of your health records.
  • Request Corrections: If you believe your information is inaccurate, you can request corrections to your health records.
  • Request Restrictions: You can request limitations on how your health information is used or disclosed.
  • File a Complaint: If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with us or with the relevant authorities.

6. Text Messaging and Communication

We may communicate with you via text messages (SMS) for various purposes related to your medical care. To ensure compliance with HIPAA and safeguard your health information, we have implemented the following policies regarding text messaging:

  • HIPAA-Compliant Text Messaging: We use a HIPAA-compliant and secure text messaging platform to send any text messages containing Protected Health Information (PHI). This platform encrypts all messages, ensuring they are secure and confidential.
  • Purpose of Text Messages: Text messages may include appointment reminders, confirmations, and general health notifications. If we need to send you sensitive information, such as test results or treatment updates, we will either:
    • Direct you to a secure portal or communication method.
    • Send the message only through a HIPAA-compliant platform with your prior consent.
  • Patient Consent: Before sending any text messages containing PHI, we will obtain your explicit consent to receive text communications. This consent includes an acknowledgment of potential risks, such as the possibility of text messages being intercepted if not sent via a secure platform.
  • Opt-Out: You may opt-out of receiving text messages at any time by replying “STOP” to any of our messages or by contacting us directly to request removal from our messaging system.
  • No Sensitive Information in Regular Text Messages: We will never send highly sensitive medical data (such as diagnoses, test results, or prescriptions) via regular, non-encrypted text messages. Texts will be used for administrative purposes or for information that is not considered sensitive.
  • Security of Your Mobile Device: For your protection, we recommend that you secure your mobile device with a password, PIN, or biometric authentication (such as fingerprint or face recognition). If you believe your phone has been compromised, please notify us immediately.
  • We will not share or sell your opt-in to an SMS campaign with any third party for purposes unrelated to providing you with the services of that campaign. We may share your Personal Data, including your SMS opt-in or consent status, with third parties that help us provide our messaging services, including but not limited to platform providers, phone companies, and any other vendors who assist us in the delivery of text messages
    All of the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.

7. Data Retention

We will retain your personal and medical information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, comply with legal requirements, and maintain medical records according to applicable retention periods.

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of any significant changes by posting the revised policy on our website or by contacting you directly. The date of the most recent revision will be indicated at the top of the policy.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact us:

Rolling Hills Eye Care PLLC
700 4th St. Blanco, TX 78606
(830) 554-9332
team@rollinghillseye.care