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Privacy Policy

  1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy describes how Family and Functional Gold Care Center, Inc. (“the Center,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) collects, uses, discloses, and protects your personal information when you access our website, contact us, or use our services. We are committed to maintaining the privacy and security of your personal health and identifying information. We understand that your health information is personal, and we are dedicated to safeguarding your data with transparency and integrity.

  1. HIPAA Compliance

As a healthcare provider, we strictly adhere to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and its implementing regulations. All personal health information (PHI) is managed in compliance with federal and state privacy laws. PHI includes any information that can be used to identify you and relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health, healthcare services, or payment for those services.

We are committed to ensuring that:

  • Access to PHI is limited to authorized personnel.
  • Disclosure of PHI occurs only with your written consent or as required by law.
  • All records are maintained with the highest level of confidentiality and security.
  1. Information We Collect

We may collect various categories of information depending on how you interact with our practice:

  1. Personal Information:
  • Full name, address, phone number, and email address
  • Date of birth, gender, and identification documents (as needed)
  • Insurance provider, policy number, and coverage details
  • Emergency contacts and authorized family members
  1. Health Information:
  • Medical history and pre-existing conditions
  • Test results (lab reports, imaging, etc.)
  • Diagnosis, treatment plans, and progress notes
  • Medication lists and prescription history
  • Functional assessments and wellness goals
  1. Website and Technical Information:
  • Browser and device types, IP address
  • Geolocation data (if enabled)
  • Session duration, referring/exit pages, and search queries
  • Cookies and analytics usage patterns

This information may be collected directly from you, your medical records, your insurance provider, third-party labs, or via our website forms.

  1. How We Use Your Information

We may use your information for a variety of purposes, including:

  • Delivering medical care and managing treatment plans
  • Scheduling appointments and managing follow-up care
  • Verifying insurance eligibility and processing payments
  • Communicating via phone, email, or text about your healthcare
  • Coordinating with third-party diagnostic labs and specialists
  • Conducting quality assurance and clinical audits
  • Developing treatment protocols based on clinical research and analytics
  • Providing health education, wellness updates, or practice newsletters
  • Fulfilling legal obligations and responding to regulatory inquiries

We will never use your personal or health information for marketing purposes without your explicit written consent.

  1. How We Share Your Information

We may share your data with the following parties, only to the extent necessary to provide services or comply with laws:

  • Internal Medical Staff: Our healthcare professionals and support staff who are directly involved in your care.
  • Third-Party Diagnostic Labs: Certified labs such as Vibrant America, Doctor’s Data, Genova, Quest Diagnostics, and LabCorp for processing functional and conventional lab tests.
  • Technology Providers: Companies that manage our scheduling systems, website, email platforms, and electronic medical records.
  • Regulatory Authorities: Government agencies when required to meet legal or public health obligations.
  • Emergency Services: If we believe your health is in immediate danger, we may share information with emergency responders.

All partners are contractually obligated to protect your data and follow HIPAA-compliant procedures.

  1. Data Security

We implement industry-standard safeguards to protect your personal and health information, including:

  • Encrypted digital storage and backups
  • Secure communication channels (e.g., SSL/TLS for online forms)
  • Role-based access controls and multi-factor authentication
  • Regular audits and compliance checks
  • Secure disposal of physical records

While we strive for complete security, no system can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. Users are advised to use caution when submitting sensitive information online.

  1. Patient Portal and Forms

For patient convenience, we may offer online portals or digital forms. It is your responsibility to:

  • Keep your login credentials confidential
  • Log out of your session after each use
  • Notify us immediately of any suspected unauthorized access

We are not responsible for breaches resulting from user negligence or third-party devices.

 

  1. Email and Text Communication

By voluntarily providing your contact details, you consent to receive:

  • Appointment confirmations and reminders
  • Test result notifications and follow-up instructions
  • Health-related education and updates

We take care to use secure communication channels whenever possible. You may opt out of non-essential messages at any time. However, transactional messages relating to appointments, billing, or health status may continue as part of our duty of care.

  1. Cookies and Website Tracking

Cookies are small data files stored on your device. Our website uses cookies and analytics tools for the following purposes:

  • Analyzing user behavior and preferences
  • Monitoring traffic patterns and engagement levels
  • Improving website functionality and content delivery

Cookies do not contain personal health data and are used only for internal optimization. You may manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings.

  1. Children’s Privacy

Our services are intended for adults and minors under parental or legal guardian supervision. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18 without verifiable parental consent. If you believe that we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us immediately so we can take appropriate action.

  1. Data Retention

We retain your information for the duration necessary to:

  • Deliver ongoing healthcare services
  • Meet regulatory and legal requirements
  • Maintain secure records for future reference

Medical records are stored for the period defined by state and federal law (usually a minimum of 7 years), after which they are securely archived or destroyed.

  1. Your Rights

As a patient or website user, you have rights regarding your data:

  • Access: Request a copy of your personal or medical records.
  • Correction: Ask us to correct incomplete or inaccurate information.
  • Restriction: Limit certain uses or disclosures of your information.
  • Withdrawal: Revoke prior consents for non-essential data processing.
  • Portability: Obtain a digital copy of your medical records.
  • Complaints: File a complaint with our office or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) if you believe your rights have been violated.

Requests must be made in writing and are subject to verification and applicable laws.

  1. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain external links to third-party services, including labs, education platforms, or health blogs. We do not control and are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites. We recommend reviewing their respective privacy policies before sharing any personal data.

  1. Updates to This Policy

We reserve the right to amend this Privacy Policy at any time. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date. Continued use of our website or services after changes implies acceptance of the new terms.