Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy for Gather Speech
Effective Date: 10/20/2024
At Gather Speech, we take your privacy seriously and are committed to protecting your personal and health information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect your information in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other applicable privacy laws.
1. Information We Collect
Gather Speech may collect the following types of information from users:
Personal Information: This may include your name, address, phone number, email address, date of birth, and emergency contact information.
Health Information: As part of our speech therapy services, we may collect health-related information, including but not limited to medical history, speech or language disorders, treatment plans, and other sensitive health information.
Payment Information: If you make a payment for our services, we may collect payment-related details such as credit card information or insurance details.
Communication Data: We collect information you provide when communicating with us, including through phone calls, emails, or messages via our website.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
Providing Services: To deliver speech therapy services, conduct evaluations, and manage your treatment plan.
Billing and Payments: To process payments, handle insurance claims, and manage financial transactions.
Communication: To respond to your inquiries, schedule appointments, and provide customer support.
Compliance: To comply with HIPAA and other healthcare privacy laws, as well as state and federal regulations.
3. How We Protect Your Information
Gather Speech takes reasonable steps to protect your personal and health information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. This includes:
Using encryption and secure storage methods to safeguard sensitive data.
Implementing strict access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to your information.
Regularly updating our security protocols and systems to meet industry standards.
4. Sharing Your Information
We may share your information under the following circumstances:
With Your Consent: We will share your health information with third parties only when you provide explicit consent or authorization. This may include sharing information with other healthcare providers involved in your care or with family members designated by you.
For Treatment: We may share information with other professionals who are involved in your care, such as physicians, specialists, or other healthcare providers, to coordinate your treatment.
For Payment: We may share your information with insurance providers, billing services, or financial institutions to process payments and claims.
As Required by Law: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or regulation, such as in response to a subpoena, court order, or governmental request.
Business Associates: We may work with third-party service providers (business associates) who assist us in providing services, such as electronic health record management or payment processing. These associates are also required to comply with HIPAA standards.
5. Your Rights Regarding Your Information
Under HIPAA, you have the following rights concerning your health information:
Right to Access: You have the right to request copies of your medical records and treatment information.
Right to Correct: You have the right to request corrections to any inaccuracies in your health information.
Right to Request Restrictions: You have the right to request restrictions on how your health information is used or disclosed, though we are not obligated to agree to all requests.
Right to Confidential Communication: You have the right to request that we communicate with you in certain ways or at certain locations, such as by email or phone.
Right to File a Complaint: If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with our office or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
6. Data Retention
We retain your personal and health information for as long as necessary to provide services, comply with legal requirements, or resolve disputes. After this period, your information will be securely deleted or anonymized in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your user experience on our website. These technologies help us remember your preferences, improve website functionality, and analyze how visitors use our site. You can disable cookies through your browser settings, but this may affect the performance of our website.
8. Changes to This Privacy Policy
Gather Speech reserves the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on our website with an updated effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically for any updates.
9. Contact Information
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal and health information, please contact us.
10. HIPAA Compliance
Gather Speech is committed to complying with all HIPAA requirements to ensure the privacy and security of your health information. We maintain strict confidentiality and take necessary precautions to protect your sensitive data.