HIPAA Notice

Notice of Privacy Practices Effective date: January 1, 2013

As required by the privacy regulations created as a result of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

This notice describes how health information about you (as a patient of this practice) may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to your individually identifiable health information. Please review this notice carefully.

Our commitment to your privacy: Our practice is dedicated to maintaining the privacy of your individually identifiable health information (also called protected health information, or PHI). In conducting our business, we will create records regarding you and the treatment and services we provide to you. We are required by law to maintain the confidentiality of health information that identifies you. We also are required by law to provide you with this notice of our legal duties and the privacy practices that we maintain in our practice concerning your PHI. By federal and state law, we must follow the terms of the Notice of Privacy Practices that we have in effect at the time.

We realize that these laws are complicated, but we must provide you with the following important information: 

• How we may use and disclose your PHI,
• Your privacy rights in your PHI,
• Our obligations concerning the use and disclosure of your PHI.

The terms of this notice apply to all records containing your PHI that are created or retained by our practice. We reserve the right to revise or amend this Notice of Privacy Practices. Any revision or amendment to this notice will be effective for all of your records that our practice has created or maintained in the past, and for any of your records that we may create or maintain in the future. Our practice will post a copy of our current Notice in our offices in a visible location at all times, and you may request a copy of our most current Notice at any time.

If you have questions about this Notice, please contact: The Office Manager, 3620 Coral Way – Miami, FL. 33145. Tel: (786) 638-6699.

E-mail, Cell Phone, and Text Authorization

E-mail and text messaging offers an easy and convenient way for patients and providers to communicate. We recognize there are times when e-mail and text messaging are more effective forms of communication.

Please remember that there are important differences between posting information electronically and talking on the telephone or having an office visit.

E-mails and text messages are not the same as phone calls to our office and we handle these communications very carefully with your privacy in mind. If there is any sensitive or personal information you need to share, please send us a message through your patient portal. Likewise, we will share private information, documents, and such with you in your patient portal. Below are our policies for contacting us using email and text messaging.

In order to inform you of your lab or test results in the most time-effective manner, we would like to call you on your cell phone to speak with you. We will never leave a voice message with lab or test results, or other sensitive information. If we are not able to reach you, we will always leave you a message for you to call our office back.

In our HIPAA-compliant portal, each patient completes a digital authorization form, specifying the phone number they wish to be contacted at, while responding to the following questions:

• I authorize Essence for Wellness staff members to call me on my cell phone, text me or to leave me a message on my voice mail.
• E-mail and/or text messaging is never, ever, appropriate for urgent or emergency problems! Please use the telephone for urgent matters and dial 911 for emergencies.
• E-mail and/or text messaging are great for asking quick questions that don’t require a lot of discussion. Appropriate uses of email or text include prescription refill requests, appointment scheduling requests, and billing questions. All of which may also be communicated via your patient portal.
• E-mail and/or text messaging should not be used to communicate sensitive personal or medical information.
• E-mail and/or text messaging is not strictly confidential. Our staff may read your emails to handle general inquiry and nonclinical matters. You should also know that if sending emails from work or sending text messages from your work cell phone, your employer has a legal right to read your email / text if he or she chooses.
• E-mail and/or text correspondence may become a part of your medical record. A copy of text and email transcripts may be printed and put in your chart for future reference.
• We will never share your cell phone information with third parties for marketing purposes without your explicit consent

• No mobile opt-in data will be shared with third parties.

• We do not transfer your personal data to external organizations without your explicit consent, except as required by law. We have implemented strict access controls and data protection measures to prevent unauthorized sharing of your information.
• At Essence for Wellness, we use email and text communications to keep our patients informed and engaged. This includes confirming appointments, handling prescription refill requests, managing appointment scheduling requests, and addressing billing inquiries. Additionally, you may receive promotional, informational, or marketing content, limited to once a week, to keep you updated on our latest offers and health insights.

SMS Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes Our policies and procedures on the collection, use, and disclosure of Your information when You use the Service and tells You about Your privacy rights and how the law protects You.

We use your Personal data to provide and improve the Service. By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

• Data Collection: We will collect your name, email address, mailing address, and mobile phone number when you sign up for SMS updates.The information will be collected via the website contact form, email, rental agreement, or third-party reservation systems.
• Data Usage: We use your data solely for sending updates, appointment or delivery notifications, and reminders related to our products or services. (Appointment confirmation, reminder for blood work)
• Data Security: We protect your data with secure storage measures to prevent unauthorized access.
• Data Retention: We retain your information as long as you are subscribed to our SMS service. You may request deletion at any time.
• MESSAGE AND DATA RATES MAY APPLY. Your mobile carrier may charge fees for sending or receiving text messages, especially if you do not have an unlimited texting or data plan.
• Messages are recurring, and message frequency varies.
• Contact ESSENCE FOR WELLNESS, LLC at (786) 638-6699 or letushelp@essenceforwellness.com for HELP or to STOP receiving messages.
• Opt-Out: You can opt out of the SMS list at any time by texting, emailing, or replying STOP or CANCEL to letushelp@essenceforwellness.com or (786) 638-6699. After unsubscribing, you will receive a final SMS to confirm you have unsubscribed and we will remove your number from our list within 24 hours.
• You can send HELP for additional assistance, and you will receive a text including our Phone number, email and website. We are here to help you.
• Non-Sharing Clause: We do not share your data with third parties for marketing purposes. Essence for Wellness, LLC will not sell, rent, or share the collected mobile numbers