Effective Date: 1/1/2024

At Monterey Pain & Spine Institute, we value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal and medical information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and protect the information provided by patients, visitors, and users of our website, as well as your rights regarding this information.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information from you:

• Personal Information: Includes your name, address, phone number, email address, date of birth, insurance details, and other identifying information.
  
• Medical Information: Includes medical history, diagnoses, treatment records, and other health-related data required for treatment or consultation purposes.
  
• Payment Information: Includes credit/debit card information and billing addresses used to process payments.
  
• Website Usage Data: Includes IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and interactions on our website, collected via cookies or similar technologies.
  
  2. How We Use Your Information
  
  We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
  
  
• Medical Care: To provide treatment, process medical records, and coordinate with healthcare professionals.
  
• Billing and Payments: To process payments and handle insurance claims.
  
• Appointment Scheduling: To manage and confirm appointments, reminders, and follow-ups.
  
• Compliance with Laws: To comply with legal and regulatory obligations (e.g., HIPAA).
  
• Website Improvement: To analyze website usage and improve our services.
  
  3. Sharing and Disclosure of Information
  
  We do not sell, trade, or otherwise share your personal or medical information except as required or permitted by law. The phone numbers collected for the purpose of SMS will not be shared to third parties. We may share your information in the following cases:
  
  
• Healthcare Providers: To collaborate with other healthcare professionals involved in your care.
  
• Insurance Companies: To process claims and coordinate coverage.
  
• Legal Requirements: To comply with subpoenas, court orders, or other legal obligations.
  
• Service Providers: With third-party service providers who help us operate the website or provide services to you, provided they agree to keep your information confidential.
  
  4. Security of Your Information
  
  We take the security of your personal and medical information seriously. We employ various security measures to protect your information, including encryption, secure servers, and restricted access to authorized personnel only.
  
  5. Your Rights Regarding Your Information
  
  You have the right to:
  
  
• Access your medical records and request copies.
  
• Request corrections to any inaccurate or incomplete information.
  
• Request that we limit the use or sharing of your information.
  
• Revoke consent to share your information, except where required by law.
  
• Request an accounting of disclosures of your personal and medical information.
  
  To exercise these rights, please contact us at 831-901-3940.
  
  6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
  
  Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, such as remembering preferences or analyzing website traffic. You can control the use of cookies through your browser settings.
  
  7. Changes to This Policy
  
  We reserve the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on this page, with the effective date updated accordingly. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
  
  8. Contact Information
  
  If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, please contact us at:
  
  Monterey Pain & Spine Institute
  Phone: 831-901-3940
  172 El Dorado Street
  Monterey, CA 93940