Access Esperanza Clinics
Privacy Policies
We’re committed to safeguarding your personal health information. Here’s how we handle privacy across our clinics and texting services.
client privacy notice
At Access Esperanza Clinics Inc., we know you value your privacy.
That is why we are committed to the confidentiality and security of your health information.
We maintain physical, administrative, and technical safeguards to protect against unauthorized
access, use, or disclosure of your health information. This includes protected health information
of our current and former patients.
This section explains your rights and some of our responsibilities to protect your privacy.
This notice is effective as of January 1, 2016.
Your rights
When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. This section explains your rights and some of our responsibilities to help you.
GET A PAPER COPY OF YOUR MEDICAL RECORD
You can ask to see or get a paper copy of your medical record and other health information we have about you. Ask us how to do this.
We will provide a copy or a summary of your health information, usually within 30 days upon your request. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
ASK US TO CORRECT YOUR MEDICAL RECORD
You can ask us to correct health information about you that you think is incorrect or incomplete. Ask us how to do this. Note that we may say “no” to your request, but we’ll tell you why in writing within 60 days.
REQUEST CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS
You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (for ex., home or office phone) or to send an email to a different address. We will approve all reasonable requests.
ASK US TO LIMIT THE INFO WE USE OR SHARE
You can ask us not to use or share certain health information for treatment, payment, or our operations.
We are not required to agree to your request, and we may say “no” if it would affect your care.
If you pay for a service or health care item out-of-pocket in full, you can ask us not to share that info for the purpose of payment or our operations with your health insurer. (We will continue to say “yes” unless a law requires u to share that info)
We will approve your request unless a law requires us to share that information.
FILE A COMPLAINT IF YOU FEEL YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS ARE VIOLATED
You can contact us at info@accessclinics.org or by calling (956) 688-3700 or at our Admin Office at 916 E. Hackberry St. Suite A, McAllen, TX 78501
You can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by sending a letter to 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington,
D.C. 20201, calling 1-877-696-6775, or visiting
www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints
Rest assured, we will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
GET A LIST OF THOSE WITH WHOM WE’VE SHARED INFORMATION
You can ask us for a list (accounting) of the times we’ve shared your health info for six years prior to the date you ask, who we share it with, and why.
We will include all the disclosures except for those about treatment, payment, and health
care operations, and certain other disclosures (such as any you asked us to make). We’ll
provide one accounting a year for free, but will charge a reasonable, cost-based fee if you
ask for another one within 12 months.
GET A COPY OF THIS PRIVACY NOTICE
You can ask for a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive the notice electronically. We will provide you with a paper copy promptly.
CHOOSE SOMEONE TO ACT FOR YOU
If you have given someone medical power of attorney, or if someone is your legal
guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health
information.
We will make sure the person has this authority and can act for you before we take any
action.
Your CHOICES
For certain health information, you can tell us your choices about what we share. If you have a
clear preference for how we share your information in the situations described below, talk to us.
Tell us what you want us to do, and we will follow your instructions.
IN THESE CASES, YOU HAVE BOTH THE RIGHT AND CHOICE TO TELL US TO:
Share information with your family, close friends, or others involved in your care.
Share information in a disaster relief situation.
Include your information in a hospital directory.
Contact you for fundraising efforts if you are not able to tell us your preference. For example, if you are unconscious, we may go ahead and share your information if we believe it is in your best interest. We may also share your information when needed to lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.
We never sell or share your information to outside groups for marketing purposes. We may contact you for our fundraising efforts, but you can tell us not to contact you again.
OUR USES AND DISCLOSURES
We typically use or share your health information in the following ways:
TO SHARE WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE TREATING YOU
Example: A doctor treating you for an injury asks another doctor about your overall health condition
TO RUN OUR PRACTICE, IMPROVE YOUR CARE, AND CONTACT YOU WHEN NECESSARY
Example: We use health information about you to manage your treatment and
services. Bill for your services
TO BILL AND GET PAYMENT FROM HEALTH PLANS OR OTHER ENTITIES
You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (for ex., home or office phone) or to send an email to a different address. We will approve all reasonable requests.
We are allowed or required to share your information in other ways, usually in ways that contribute to the public good, such as public health and research. We have to meet many conditions in the law before we can share your information for these purposes. For more information see: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/index.html
RESPOND TO ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION REQUEST
We can share health information about you with organ procurement organizations.
RESEARCH
We can use and share your information for health research purposes
COMPLYING WITH THE LAW
We will share information about you if state or federal laws require it, including with the
Department of Health and Human Services if it wants to see that we’re complying with
federal privacy law.
RESPOND TO LAWSUITS AND LEGAL ACTIONS
We can share health information about you in response to a court or administrative order,
or in response to a subpoena.
HELP WITH PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUE
Preventing disease
Helping with product recalls
Reporting adverse reactions to medications
Reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
Preventing or reducing a serious threat to anyone’s health or safety
WORK WITH A MEDICAL EXAMINER OR FUNERAL DIRECTOR
We can share health information with a coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director when an individual dies.
ADDRESS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND OTHER GOV REQUESTS
For workers’ compensation claims
For law enforcement purposes or with a law
enforcement official
With health oversight agencies for activities authorized by law
For special government functions such as military, national security, and presidential
protective services
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES
We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health
information.
We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the
privacy or security of your information.
We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and give you a
copy of it.
We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us
we can in writing. If you tell us we can, you may change your mind at any time. Let us
know in writing if you change your mind.
We can change the terms of this notice, and the changes will apply to all information we have
about you. The new notice will be available upon request, in our office, and on our web site.
sms/texting privacy notice
Access Esperanza Clinics is committed to protecting your privacy. This privacy policy outlines how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information in relation to our SMS communication services, in partnership with Corto Media.
INFORMATION COLLECTION
We may collect the following information when you opt-in to our SMS services:
Personal Information: name, phone number, and any other information you provide
Communication Content: messages sent and received, including timestamps
Usage Data: information about how you interact with our messages
DATA SECURITY
We implement appropriate security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.
USE OF INFORMATION
Your information is used to:
Send appointment reminders, health information and updates.
Respond to inquires and provide customer support.
Improve our services and communication strategies.
YOUR RIGHTS
You have the rights to:
Access the personal information we hold about you
Request corrections to your information
Withdraw your consent for SMS/text communications
To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information in the contact information column
CONSENT AND OPT-IN
By providing your phone number and opting in, you consent to receive SMS / text messages from Access Esperanza Clinics. Message frequency may vary. Message and data rates may apply. You can opt-out at any time by replying “STOP.”
CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions or concerns about this privacy policy or our SMS/texting services, please contact the Access Esperanza Clinics administrative office:
Email: info@AccessClinics.org
Phone: 956-688-3700
You can reach our texting partner Corto Media by:
Email: support@cortomedia.com
Phone: : [808.808.TEXT/8398]
DATA SHARING
We do NOT give, sell, or rent your personal information. We may share your information with:
Corto Media: our authorized texting partner, for message delivery and support
Service Providers: third parties who assist in operating our services, under confidentiality agreements