Patient Consent for Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information

1. Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information

Digestive Health Associates & Center of Reno is committed to protecting the privacy and security of information collected through our website and our communications with patients. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, protect, and disclose information obtained through our website and related online services.

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through our website and does not replace the Practice’s Notice of Privacy Practices, which describes how we use and disclose Protected Health Information (PHI) in accordance with applicable healthcare privacy laws.

Information We Collect

There are two general categories of information we may collect:

Anonymous Information

Anonymous information is information that does not directly identify an individual. This may include information such as browser type, IP address, device information, and website usage information.

We may use this information to administer and improve our website, troubleshoot technical issues, protect our website from unauthorized access, and understand general website usage.

Personally Identifiable Information

Personally identifiable information is information that may identify you, such as your name, email address, telephone number, or other information you voluntarily provide through our website or online forms.

We may collect this information when you:

Contact us through our website.
Submit an online form.
Request information or assistance.
Communicate with the Practice electronically.
Register for or use applicable online services.

How We Use Information

Information collected through our website may be used to:

Respond to inquiries and requests.
Communicate with you regarding your care and Practice-related matters.
Support appointment scheduling and reminders.
Provide pre-visit instructions.
Communicate regarding billing, payment requests, refunds, insurance, and patient account matters.
Provide patient portal notifications and other administrative communications.
Maintain and improve our website and services.
Protect against unauthorized use, fraud, or security threats.
Comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

We may use authorized service providers to assist us with certain Practice operations and communications. Such service providers may access information only as necessary to provide services to the Practice and are subject to applicable contractual, privacy, and security requirements.

By providing your contact information, you authorize the Practice and its authorized service providers to contact you regarding your care and Practice-related matters using the contact information you provide.

Communications may include appointment scheduling and reminders, pre-visit instructions, referrals, prescriptions, test or laboratory information, care coordination, insurance matters, billing statements, payment requests, refunds, patient portal notices, and other treatment-, payment-, or healthcare-operations-related communications.

You may change your communication preferences or request that the Practice use a different permitted communication method by contacting the Practice.

If you provide your mobile phone number and consent to receive text messages, the Practice and its authorized service providers may send SMS/text messages regarding your care and Practice-related matters.

Types of SMS Messages

SMS messages may include:

Appointment confirmations and reminders.
Scheduling changes.
Pre-visit instructions.
Billing notifications.
Payment requests or payment links.
Insurance notifications.
Refund notifications.
Patient portal notifications.
Care coordination.
Other communications related to treatment, payment, or the Practice’s healthcare operations.

SMS Terms

Message frequency varies based on appointments, account activity, and care needs.
Message and data rates may apply.
SMS consent is voluntary and is not a condition of receiving medical care, treatment, or services.
Opting out of SMS does not revoke other communication permissions or prevent the Practice from contacting you through another permitted method.
You may opt out of SMS communications at any time by replying STOP to any text message.
For assistance, reply HELP or contact the Practice directly.
The Practice does not sell mobile phone numbers or SMS consent information.
The Practice does not share mobile phone numbers or SMS consent information with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing or promotional purposes.
The Practice may share mobile information with authorized service providers solely as necessary to deliver and support Practice communications or as otherwise permitted or required by law. Such service providers may not use this information for their own marketing purposes.

4. Revocation and Changes

You may change or revoke my communication permissions at any time by notifying the Practice in writing, except to the extent the Practice has already acted in reliance on my prior permission. I may also withdraw SMS consent. Changes will apply after the Practice has had a reasonable opportunity to process the request.

Revoking or declining SMS consent will not affect my ability to receive medical care. The Practice may continue to use or disclose PHI for TPO and other purposes permitted or required by law, consistent with its Notice of Privacy Practices.

5. Additional Legal Terms and Disclosures

DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION THROUGH BUSINESS TRANSFERS

As we continue to develop our business, we may buy, merge or partner with other companies or businesses, and in so doing, acquire customer information. In such transactions, user information may be among the transferred assets. Similarly, in the event that a portion or substantially all of AmSurg’s assets are sold or transferred to a third party, customer information (including Personally Identifiable Information) would likely be one of the transferred business assets.

OUR COMMITMENT TO CHILDREN’S PRIVACY

Protecting the privacy of children is very important to us. The Children’s Online Privacy and Protection Act of 1998 (“COPPA”) defines a “Child” as anyone under the age of 13. AmSurg strictly adheres to COPPA. For that reason, we do not collect or maintain information obtained through our Sites from those we actually know are under 13, and no part of our Sites are structured to attract anyone under 13.

EXTERNAL LINKS

The Sites may provide links to various websites that we do not control. When you click on one of these links, you will be transferred out of our Sites and connected to the website of the organization or company that you selected. We are not responsible for the nature, quality or accuracy of the content or opinions expressed on such websites, and such websites are not investigated, monitored or checked for quality, accuracy or completeness by us. Inclusion of any linked website on the Sites does not imply or express an approval or endorsement of the linked website by us, or of any of the content, opinions, products or services provided on these websites. Even if an affiliation exists between AmSurg or our Sites and a third-party website, we exercise no control over linked sites. Each of these linked sites maintains its own independent privacy and data collection policies and procedures. While AmSurg expects its partners and affiliates to respect the privacy of our users, AmSurg cannot be responsible for the actions of third parties. If you visit a website that is linked to from our Sites, we encourage you to consult that website’s privacy policy before providing any personal information and whenever interacting with any website.

The Sites are controlled, operated and administered entirely within the United States. By using a Site, you signify your agreement to the terms of this Policy. If you do not agree with this Policy, please do not disclose any personal information through the Sites. This Policy and the use of the Sites are governed by Tennessee law. Any claim related to the Sites or this Policy shall be brought in a federal or state court in Nashville, Tennessee, within one year after the claim arises. Users of the Sites consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts as the most convenient and appropriate for the resolution of disputes concerning this Policy. This Policy and the notices outlined herein are not intended to and do not create any contractual or other legal rights in or on behalf of any third party.

SPECIAL NOTICE TO CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS

Under the California Civil Code, residents of the State of California that have provided any Personally Identifiable Information to AmSurg have the right to request a list of all third parties to which AmSurg has disclosed Personally Identifiable Information during the preceding year for direct marketing purposes. Alternatively, the law provides that if AmSurg has a privacy policy that gives either an opt-out or opt-in choice for use of Personally Identifiable Information by third parties (such as advertisers or affiliated companies) for marketing purposes, AmSurg may instead provide you with information on how to exercise your disclosure choice options. AmSurg qualifies for the alternative option; it has established this Policy that provides you with details on how you may either opt-out or opt-in to the use of your Personally Identifiable Information by third parties for direct marketing purposes.

If you are a California resident and request information about how to exercise your third party disclosure choices, please send a request to communications@amsurg.com with a preference on how our response to your request should be sent.

MODIFICATIONS TO PRIVACY POLICY

AmSurg may modify this Policy at any time, at its discretion, and modifications are effective upon being posted on the Sites. You are responsible for reviewing this Policy periodically to ensure that you are aware of any changes to it.

You have certain rights to know about the Personally Identifiable Information that AmSurg holds about you and gathered through the Sites, including the right to correct, amend or delete the information that AmSurg has on file if it is incorrect. If you wish to exercise these rights, or if you have given us Personally Identifiable Information in the past and then have second thoughts or want to update it, or if you have any other questions regarding this Policy or the Sites, please contact us by email or postal mail at:

Email: communications@amsurg.com

Address:

AmSurg Corp.

1A Burton Hills Blvd.

Nashville, TN 37215