Emerald Therapy Collective Privacy Policy

Introduction

Emerald Therapy Collective ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your personal and health information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your health and personal information in accordance with applicable laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA).

By engaging with our services, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this Privacy Policy and consent to the practices described below.

1. Information We Collect

In the course of providing mental health services, we collect and maintain various types of information, including:

• Personal Identifiers: Name, address, phone number, email address, date of birth, and emergency contact information.
• Health Information: Medical and mental health history, diagnosis, treatment plans, therapy session notes, assessments, and other relevant health information.
• Payment Information: Credit card or other forms of payment information for services rendered, as our practice operates on a cash-pay basis.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect primarily for the following purposes:

• Providing Therapy Services: To deliver effective therapy, treatment planning, and other mental health services tailored to your needs.
• Administrative Purposes: For scheduling, communication regarding appointments, and processing payments for services provided.
• Billing and Payment Processing: We use your payment information to collect fees for our services.
• Legal Compliance: To comply with relevant laws, regulations, and ethical guidelines governing healthcare services.
• Improving Our Services: To enhance the quality of care and improve treatment outcomes, we may analyze patient feedback and anonymized data.

3. How We Protect Your Information

We take the protection of your personal and health information seriously. To safeguard your data, we implement appropriate administrative, physical, and technical measures. These include:

• Secure Recordkeeping: Physical and digital records are kept securely. Physical records are locked and protected, and digital records are encrypted and stored in secure systems.
• Access Controls: Only authorized personnel with a need-to-know basis have access to your sensitive information.
• Secure Communication: We use secure means of communication, such as encrypted emails, for sharing sensitive information.

4. Disclosure of Your Information

We will not share your information with third parties except in the following situations:

• With Your Consent: We will obtain your written consent before sharing your health information with any other healthcare providers or individuals, unless otherwise required or permitted by law.
• For Treatment and Administrative Purposes: We may share your health information with others who are involved in providing your treatment (such as other healthcare professionals) or assisting with administrative tasks, but only to the extent necessary.
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance: We may disclose your health information when required by law or in response to a legal proceeding, such as a subpoena, court order, or other legal processes.
• Emergency Situations: In certain emergency situations, we may disclose your information if necessary to prevent serious harm to yourself or others.
• Sharing of Personal Information: We do not share, sell, or disclose your personal information or mobile opt-in data to third parties without your explicit consent, except where required by law. Your information is kept confidential and used solely for the purposes you have agreed to. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with third parties. Text messaging opt-in data is not being shared with third parties. Opting Out of Text Messages: You have the right to opt out of receiving text messages from Emerald Therapy Collective at any time. To opt-out, you can reply "STOP" to any text message you receive from us. Consent and Opt-In: By providing your phone number and opting in to receive text messages, you consent to the collection and use of your personal information as described in this policy. We ensure that your consent is obtained explicitly and that you are informed about the types of messages you will receive.

5. Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

As a patient, you have the following rights regarding your health information:

• Right to Access: You have the right to request a copy of your health records. You may request these records in either paper or electronic format. We will provide your records within 15 days of your request.
• Right to Correct: You may request that we amend your health records if you believe they are inaccurate or incomplete. We will review your request and make appropriate amendments when necessary.
• Right to Restrict Disclosure: You may request restrictions on how your health information is used or disclosed. While we will consider your request, we are not obligated to agree to all restrictions.
• Right to Confidential Communications: You may request that we communicate with you in a certain manner (e.g., by email, phone, or at a specific location) to ensure privacy.
• Right to File a Complaint: If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

6. California-Specific Rights

In addition to the rights outlined above, California law provides you with additional protections and rights:

• Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA): We adhere to the requirements set forth by CMIA, which protects the confidentiality of your medical information. We will not disclose your health information without your written consent, except as allowed or required by law.
• Breach Notification: In the event of a breach of your personal health information, we will notify you as required under California law.

7. Cash-Pay Practice and Financial Information

As a cash-pay practice, all payments for services provided by Emerald Therapy Collective must be made at the time of service. We do not bill insurance companies, and we do not share information related to payments with any third-party payer. You are responsible for payment at the time of your session or as otherwise agreed upon.

We collect payment information (such as credit card details) solely for the purpose of processing payments for therapy services. Your payment information will be securely stored and used exclusively for transaction purposes related to your care.

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, services, or legal requirements. Any updates will be posted on our website, and the revised policy will become effective immediately upon posting. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

9. Contact Information

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, or if you would like to exercise any of your rights related to your health information, please contact us at:

Emerald Therapy Collective, 2214 2nd Ave, San Diego, CA, 92101. Phone: 619-940-6791. Email: brittney@emeraldtherapycollective.com