Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 23 December 2024

At My Teen Mental Health, your privacy is of utmost importance. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information in accordance with state, federal, and industry standards, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

If you have any questions or concerns about this policy, you can contact us at:

My Teen Mental Health

801 15th St., Modesto, CA 95354

Phone: (209) 251-1132

1. What Information Do We Collect?

We collect both Personal Information and Health Information as needed to provide mental health services and ensure effective communication. This information is collected through in-person interactions, online forms, and other communication methods.

Personal Information

This may include, but is not limited to:

• Full Name
• Date of Birth
• Email Address
• Phone Number
• Address
• Insurance Information (as applicable)

Health Information (Protected Health Information or PHI)

This may include, but is not limited to:

• Medical History
• Symptoms and Treatment Plans
• Diagnoses and Prognoses
• Appointment and Visit Details
• Billing and Payment Information

This information is collected to provide care, manage billing, support operations, and ensure compliance with applicable laws.

2. How Do We Use Your Information?

Your information is used to provide and enhance our services. Key purposes for collecting information include:

• To Provide Treatment: Personal health information allows us to develop tailored treatment plans.
• To Process Payments: Billing details may be shared with insurance providers or payment processors as required.
• To Improve Client Support: Contact information allows us to respond to inquiries, schedule appointments, and follow up on care.
• To Comply with Legal Obligations: We may disclose information when required by law or to protect the health and safety of our clients.

Your information will not be sold, traded, or transferred to outside parties unless required to provide essential services (e.g., working with trusted service providers such as electronic health record (EHR) platforms, billing providers, or lab testing companies).

3. How Do We Protect Your Information?

We employ a combination of technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect your personal and health information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. Key security measures include:

• Secure Servers & Encryption: Sensitive data, such as credit card information, is transmitted via Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology.
• Access Controls: Only authorized personnel with specific roles and access rights can access sensitive data.
• Data Minimization: We only collect, store, and use data essential for service delivery and compliance.
• Data Retention: We retain personal information as long as required to fulfill our obligations or as mandated by law.

If a data breach occurs involving your personal information, you will be notified in accordance with applicable laws.

4. Do We Use Cookies?

Yes, our website may use cookies (small files stored on your device) to:

• Remember your preferences on return visits
• Track site usage and traffic for improvement purposes
• Enable functionality and enhance your user experience

You can choose to disable cookies via your browser settings, but this may impact your browsing experience on our website.

5. Do We Disclose Information to Third Parties?

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal or health information to third parties. However, information may be shared in the following scenarios:

• Service Providers: To trusted third-party providers who help us operate our clinic (e.g., EHR providers, billing companies, payment processors).
• Legal Obligations: If required by law, subpoena, or court order, we may disclose your information to relevant authorities.
• Emergency Situations: In cases of emergency or imminent danger, we may disclose information to family members, guardians, or healthcare professionals.

All third-party service providers are required to sign Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) to ensure your information remains protected under HIPAA guidelines.

6. Your Rights Regarding Health Information

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), you have specific rights regarding your health information:

• Right to Access: You may request a copy of your health record.
• Right to Amend: You may request amendments or corrections to your health record if you believe it is inaccurate or incomplete.
• Right to Restrict: You can request restrictions on how your information is used or shared.
• Right to Confidential Communications: You can request alternative means of communication (e.g., email instead of phone).
• Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You can request a list of disclosures made regarding your health information.
• Right to File a Complaint: If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with My Teen Mental Health or with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) without fear of retaliation.

7. Notice of Health Information Practices (Effective Date: 23 December 2024)

This notice describes how health information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can access this information. Your medical record contains essential information related to your treatment, including test results, diagnoses, and treatment plans. This information is used for:

• Care Planning: Supporting clinical decisions made by our healthcare providers.
• Care Coordination: Sharing essential health data with other professionals directly involved in your care.
• Billing and Insurance: Submitting claims to insurance providers.

Our responsibilities include:

• Maintaining Confidentiality: We are legally required to protect your health information and notify you in case of a breach.
• Providing Notice: We will keep you informed of any changes to our privacy practices.
• Compliance with HIPAA: We ensure that our policies align with federal regulations.

8. How Can You Opt-Out of Marketing Communications?

We may contact you about appointment reminders, relevant mental health resources, or services that may interest you. You can opt out of these communications at any time by:

• Clicking the “unsubscribe” link in marketing emails
• Contacting us directly via phone at (209) 251-1132

Please note that opting out of marketing emails will not affect essential service-related communications.

9. Third-Party Links

Our website may include links to third-party sites. Please note that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We recommend you review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.

10. Compliance with California Online Privacy Protection Act (CalOPPA)

My Teen Mental Health complies with CalOPPA regulations, which allow California residents to request information about how their data is shared with third parties for marketing purposes. We will not share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes without your consent.

11. Privacy Policy for Children

We are committed to protecting the privacy of children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without parental consent. If we learn that we have collected information from a child without verification of parental consent, we will delete it.

12. Changes to Our Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. If there are material changes to how we collect, use, or share personal information, we will notify you via email or by placing a prominent notice on our website.

13. Contacting Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this privacy policy or how your information is handled, you can reach out to us using the following contact information:

My Teen Mental Health

801 15th St, Modesto, CA 95354

Phone: (209) 251-1132

For complaints regarding the privacy of your health information, you can file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by emailing OCRComplaint@hhs.gov or calling (800) 368-1019.