Question 1

Introduction

Accepted Answer

Swope Joint Replacement  (“Practice,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you provide when visiting our website, communicating with our office, requesting an appointment, making a payment, or accessing services available through our website.This Privacy Policy explains what information we may collect, how we use and protect that information, and the choices you may have regarding your information.Because we are a healthcare provider, certain information we receive may constitute Protected Health Information (“PHI”) under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”). When information is PHI, our use and disclosure of that information are governed by HIPAA and our Notice of Privacy Practices, rather than solely by this website Privacy Policy.By using this website, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

Question 2

Information We May Collect

Accepted Answer

Depending on how you use our website and services, we may collect information including:Your nameTelephone numberEmail addressMailing addressDate of birthAppointment requests and scheduling informationInformation you voluntarily provide through contact or appointment formsInsurance information, when applicablePayment and billing informationInformation submitted through a patient portalHealth-related information that you voluntarily provideCommunications between you and our PracticeTechnical information regarding your use of our website, such as IP address, browser type, device information, and pages visitedPlease do not submit sensitive medical information through a general website contact form unless the form is specifically identified as a secure method for communicating health information.

Question 3

Protected Health Information and HIPAA

Accepted Answer

Information you provide to us in connection with receiving healthcare services may be considered PHI and may be protected by HIPAA and other applicable federal or state privacy laws.We handle PHI in accordance with applicable law and our Notice of Privacy Practices.Our Notice of Privacy Practices provides additional information regarding how we may use and disclose your PHI and describes your rights regarding your medical information.If there is a conflict between this Privacy Policy and our Notice of Privacy Practices regarding PHI, the Notice of Privacy Practices and applicable law will govern.

Question 4

How We Use Information

Accepted Answer

We may use information collected through our website to:Respond to questions and inquiriesProcess appointment requestsCommunicate regarding appointments and servicesProvide healthcare and administrative servicesMaintain patient recordsProcess paymentsPerform billing and payment-related activitiesOperate and improve our websiteMaintain the security and integrity of our systemsComply with legal, regulatory, and professional obligationsPrevent fraud, misuse, or unauthorized accessCommunicate information about our Practice or services when permitted by lawWe do not sell PHI.

Question 5

Appointment and Contact Forms

Accepted Answer

Our website may allow you to request an appointment or contact our office electronically.Submitting an appointment request does not necessarily establish a physician-patient relationship, and an appointment is not confirmed until you receive confirmation from our Practice.Electronic communications and general website forms should not be used for medical emergencies or urgent medical concerns.If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate emergency medical attention.

Question 6

Patient Portal

Accepted Answer

Our website may provide access or links to a secure patient portal operated by us or by a third-party service provider.The patient portal may allow patients to access medical information, communicate with the Practice, complete forms, review appointments, or perform other healthcare-related activities.Information transmitted through a patient portal may constitute PHI and will be handled according to HIPAA, our Notice of Privacy Practices, and applicable law.Third-party patient portal providers may also maintain their own privacy, security, and terms-of-use policies.

Question 7

Online Payments

Accepted Answer

Our website may allow patients to make payments electronically.Payment transactions may be processed by third-party payment processors. Depending on the service used, we may not directly receive or store your complete credit or debit card information.Payment processors may collect information necessary to process your transaction and are responsible for handling that information according to their applicable privacy and security obligations.We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any payment processor you use.

Question 8

Cookies and Website Technology

Accepted Answer

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies necessary to operate the website, remember preferences, maintain security, understand website performance, or improve the visitor experience.Certain third-party services integrated into our website may also collect technical information about visitors.Where required by applicable law, we will provide appropriate choices regarding non-essential cookies or tracking technologies.

Question 9

Analytics and Advertising Technologies

Accepted Answer

Healthcare websites require particular care when using analytics, advertising pixels, session-replay technologies, or similar tracking tools.We seek to avoid disclosing PHI to advertising or analytics companies in a manner prohibited by HIPAA or other applicable privacy laws.We may modify, limit, or disable tracking technologies on pages or services where their use could result in an impermissible disclosure of health information.

Question 10

How We Share Information

Accepted Answer

We may disclose personal information when reasonably necessary to:Provide healthcare or administrative servicesProcess paymentsOperate and maintain our website and technology systemsWork with vendors and service providers performing services on our behalfComply with legal requirements, court orders, subpoenas, or regulatory obligationsProtect the rights, safety, security, or property of our Practice, patients, employees, or othersComplete a business transaction when permitted by lawWhen a third-party service provider receives PHI on our behalf and HIPAA requires it, we seek to use appropriate contractual protections, including a Business Associate Agreement (“BAA”).We do not sell PHI for advertising purposes.

Question 11

Data Security

Accepted Answer

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure.However, no website, electronic communication, database, or internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure. You should use appropriate caution when transmitting sensitive information electronically.For sensitive medical communications, we encourage patients to use our designated secure communication methods or patient portal whenever available.

Question 12

Email and Text Communications

Accepted Answer

If you provide your email address or mobile telephone number, we may use that information to communicate with you regarding appointments, administrative matters, payments, or other Practice-related matters as permitted by law.Standard email and SMS/text messaging may not always be encrypted. Please avoid sending highly sensitive medical information through unsecured email or text messages unless specifically instructed to do so.Message and data rates may apply to text messages depending on your mobile carrier and plan.Where required, you may opt out of non-essential marketing communications. Opting out of marketing communications will not prevent us from sending necessary healthcare, transactional, appointment, billing, or administrative communications as permitted by law.

Question 13

Third-Party Websites

Accepted Answer

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services, including hospitals, surgery centers, patient portals, payment processors, social media platforms, or other healthcare resources.We are not responsible for the privacy or security practices of third-party websites that we do not control.Visiting a third-party website is subject to that organization's own privacy policy and terms.

Question 14

Children's Privacy

Accepted Answer

Our website is intended to provide information regarding our medical Practice and services and is not directed toward children for independent online use.When information concerning a minor patient is collected in connection with healthcare services, it will be handled in accordance with applicable healthcare privacy laws and requirements regarding parents, guardians, and personal representatives.

Question 15

Your Privacy Rights

Accepted Answer

Depending on the type of information involved and applicable law, you may have rights concerning your personal information.For PHI, HIPAA may provide you with rights that include the right to:Request access to certain medical recordsRequest amendments to certain medical recordsRequest restrictions on certain uses or disclosuresRequest confidential communicationsObtain an accounting of certain disclosuresReceive a copy of our Notice of Privacy PracticesFile a complaint regarding the handling of your PHIPlease refer to our Notice of Privacy Practices for a more complete explanation of your HIPAA rights and how to exercise them.We will not retaliate against you for exercising a privacy right or filing a privacy complaint.

Question 16

Data Retention

Accepted Answer

We may retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to provide services, maintain appropriate business and medical records, comply with legal and regulatory obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements.Medical records and PHI will be retained according to applicable federal and state record-retention requirements and our Practice's policies.

Question 17

Changes to This Privacy Policy

Accepted Answer

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our website, technology, services, legal requirements, or privacy practices.When changes are made, we may update the “Last Updated” date shown at the top of this page. Material changes may be communicated through additional means when appropriate or required by law.

Question 18

IMPORTANT HIPAA NOTICE

Accepted Answer

This website Privacy Policy is separate from the Practice's HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices. Patients should review the Notice of Privacy Practices for detailed information concerning how Protected Health Information may be used and disclosed and how patients may exercise their rights under HIPAA.Medical Emergency Notice: This website, its contact forms, email, and patient portal should not be relied upon for emergency medical care. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate emergency medical attention.

Privacy Policy