Notice of Privacy Practices
This Notice describes how medical and health information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.
Our Pledge to You
At Apex Skin, we understand that your protected health information (PHI) is personal. We are committed to protecting the privacy of your medical and health information in accordance with applicable law, including the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and its implementing regulations. This Notice describes how we may use and disclose your PHI, as well as your rights with respect to that information.
Who Follows This Notice
This Notice applies to all services provided by Apex Skin and all of its workforce members, including providers, clinicians, staff, contractors, and business associates, to the extent they perform services involving access to PHI.
How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information
We may use and disclose your PHI for the following purposes:
- Treatment
We may use and disclose information about you to provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare and related services. For example, this may include sharing PHI with other treating providers, specialists, or laboratories involved in your care.
- Payment
We may use and disclose PHI to obtain payment for services we provide. This may include submitting claims to your health plan, processing billing statements, and determining eligibility or coverage.
- Healthcare Operations
We may use and disclose PHI for operations necessary to run our practice and improve quality of care, including quality assessment, staff training, licensing, and accreditation activities.
- Appointment Reminders and Health‑Related Benefits
We may contact you with reminders about appointments, treatment alternatives, or other health‑related benefits and services that may be of interest.
- Individuals Involved in Your Care
Unless you object, we may share relevant health information with family members or others involved in your care, or who help pay for your care.
- Required by Law
We may disclose PHI when required to do so by federal, state, or local law, including reporting for public health, law enforcement, court orders, and other legal mandates.
Other Permitted Uses and Disclosures
In addition to the uses above, HIPAA permits disclosures without your authorization under certain circumstances, including:
- Public health activities
- Health oversight activities
- Judicial and administrative proceedings
- Law enforcement purposes
- Organ and tissue donation
- Research (under specific conditions)
- Worker’s compensation programs
Marketing Activities. We may use your health information for marketing purposes without your authorization only when we discuss such products or services with you directly. For other types of marketing activities, we will obtain your written authorization. We will not sell your name or other information to others.
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Records: If any of your medical records include information related to substance use disorder treatment, those records may be protected by federal law (42 C.F.R. Part 2), which imposes stricter limits on disclosure and sharing without your written permission.
Unless otherwise permitted or required by law, we will ask for your written authorization before using or disclosing PHI for purposes not described here.
Your Rights With Respect to Your Health Information
You have the following rights regarding your PHI:
Right to Inspect and Copy
You may request to inspect or obtain a copy of your PHI maintained by Apex Skin. We may charge a reasonable fee for copies.
Right to Amend
If you believe that PHI we maintain about you is incorrect or incomplete, you may request that we amend it.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You may request an accounting of certain disclosures of your PHI made by Apex Skin.
Right to Request Restrictions
You may request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of PHI, though we are not required to agree (except in limited circumstances such as certain pay‑out‑of‑pocket requests).
Right to Confidential Communications
You may request that we communicate with you about your health information by alternative means or at alternative locations.
Right to a Paper Copy
You may request a paper copy of this Notice even if you agreed to receive it electronically.
Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and the terms of this Notice at any time. If changes are made, those changes will apply to all PHI we maintain. A copy of the revised Notice will be made available upon request and posted where required by law.
Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with Apex Skin’s Privacy Officer or with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.
Contact Information
If you have questions about this Notice, you may also contact the Privacy Officer at 833-279-SKIN (7546) or Compliance@ApexSkin.com, or submit your question in writing to Apex Skin, Privacy Officer, 2000 Auburn Drive, Suite 350, Beachwood, OH 44122.
