NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
Your Privacy Matters. Federal law requires us to give you this notice explaining how we use and protect your health information (PHI), and what rights you have. Please review carefully and ask us if you have questions.
Our Commitment
We are required by law to keep your health information private and to follow the terms of this notice. This notice applies to all records we create or maintain about your care. We may revise this notice at any time, and updated versions will be posted in our office and on our website.
Contact
Privacy Officer: Melinda L. Aquino, MD
1850 Sullivan Ave, Suite 300, Daly City, CA 94015
(650) 991-1122
How We Use and Share Your Information
- Treatment: To provide and coordinate your care (e.g., sharing test results, prescriptions, or treatment information with other providers).
- Payment: To bill insurance or collect payment for services.
- Health Care Operations: To run our practice, improve care, and plan services.
- Reminders & Information: To contact you about appointments, treatment options, or health services.
- As Required by Law: We must share information when required by federal, state, or local law.
Special Situations
We may also share your information in situations such as:
- Public health reporting (disease prevention, drug/device safety, abuse/neglect reporting)
- Oversight by government health agencies
- Legal matters (court orders, lawsuits, law enforcement requests)
- Medical examiners, organ donation, or funeral arrangements
- Serious threats to health or safety
- Military or national security requirements
- Workers’ compensation claims
Your Rights
- Request confidential communications (e.g., contact only at home or by mail)
- Request limits on use or disclosure (though we may not always be able to agree)
- Inspect and request copies of your records
- Ask us to amend your records if inaccurate or incomplete
- Request a list (“accounting”) of certain disclosures
- Receive a paper copy of this notice anytime
- File a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if you believe your privacy rights were violated
Mobile Information
No mobile information will be shared or sold with third parties/affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. We do not share any client data with third parties. Your personal information is kept confidential and is not disclosed to outside organizations, except as required by law or with your explicit consent.
Security
We use reasonable safeguards to protect your information. However, no system is 100% secure. We will always act promptly to protect your privacy.
Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our Privacy Officer (contact above) or with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 150 S. Independence Mall West, Suite 372, Philadelphia, PA 19106-9111. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.
Open Payments Database
The Open Payments database is a federal tool that shows payments made by drug and device companies to physicians and hospitals. You can view it here: https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov.