Patient privacy
Notice of Privacy Practices
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
Arborshade Dermatology, 702 W Arapaho Rd, Suite 104, Richardson, TX 75080. Phone: 214-833-5300. Effective date: October 12, 2026.
Our responsibilities
We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information, meaning information that identifies you and relates to your health, your care or payment for your care.
We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and give you a copy of it.
We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing. If you tell us we can, you may change your mind at any time. Let us know in writing if you change your mind.
How we use and share your health information
Treatment. We use your information and share it with other professionals who are treating you. Example: we send biopsy specimens and your relevant history to a pathology laboratory, or share information with a doctor who referred you.
Payment. We use and share your information to bill and get payment from health plans or other entities. Example: we give your health plan information about your visit so it can pay for your care.
Health care operations. We use and share your information to run our practice, improve your care and contact you when necessary. Examples: reviewing the quality of our care, training staff, and working with business associates such as our electronic health record, billing and scheduling vendors, who must protect your information by contract.
Appointment reminders and your care. We may contact you by phone, text message, email or our patient portal to remind you of appointments, give you test results or tell you about treatment options. You can ask us to contact you a different way.
Family and friends. We may share relevant information with a family member, friend or other person involved in your care or payment for your care, unless you tell us not to. If you are not present or cannot agree, for example in an emergency, we may share information if we believe it is in your best interest.
Other uses and disclosures the law allows or requires. We may share your information without your authorization:
When required by state or federal law, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services when it wants to see that we are complying with federal privacy law.
For public health activities, such as preventing disease, reporting adverse reactions to medications, and reporting suspected abuse, neglect or domestic violence.
To prevent a serious and imminent threat to anyone's health or safety.
For health oversight activities, such as audits, investigations, inspections and licensing.
In response to a court or administrative order, or a subpoena, as the law allows.
For law enforcement purposes as the law allows, and for workers' compensation claims.
For research, when approved through a process that protects your privacy.
To medical examiners, funeral directors, and organ and tissue donation organizations.
For special government functions, such as military, national security and presidential protective services.
Uses that need your written permission. We will not use or share your information for marketing, sell your information, or share psychotherapy notes without your written authorization. Other uses and disclosures not described in this notice will be made only with your written authorization, which you may revoke in writing at any time, except to the extent we have already acted on it.
Texas law. Texas law gives your health information additional protection. Your information may be disclosed electronically. Except for treatment, payment, health care operations, or when otherwise authorized or required by state or federal law, we will not disclose your information electronically without your separate authorization. We will not sell your health information. Where Texas law is more protective than federal law, we follow Texas law.
Your rights
Get a copy of your health and claims records. You can ask to see or get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record. If you ask for an electronic copy of records we keep electronically, we will provide it within 15 business days of your written request, as Texas law requires. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
Ask us to correct your record. You can ask us to correct information you think is incorrect or incomplete. We may say no, but we will tell you why in writing within 60 days.
Request confidential communications. You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example, a home or office phone) or to send mail to a different address. We will say yes to all reasonable requests.
Ask us to limit what we use or share. You can ask us not to use or share certain information for treatment, payment or our operations. We are not required to agree if it would affect your care. If you pay for a service or health care item out of pocket in full, you can ask us not to share that information with your health insurer for payment or operations, and we will say yes unless a law requires us to share it.
Get a list of those we have shared information with. You can ask for a list (accounting) of the times we have shared your information for six years before the date you ask, who we shared it with and why. It will include all disclosures except those for treatment, payment, health care operations and certain others, such as any you asked us to make. We will provide one list a year free and may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for another within 12 months.
Get a copy of this notice. You can ask for a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you agreed to receive it electronically.
Choose someone to act for you. If you have given someone medical power of attorney or someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information.
File a complaint. If you feel we have violated your rights, you can contact our privacy officer using the information below. You can also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights, 200 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20201, by calling 1-877-696-6775, or online at www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Changes to this notice
We can change the terms of this notice, and the changes will apply to all information we have about you. The new notice will be available on request, in our office and on our website.
Contact
Privacy Officer: Dr. Kelsie Riemenschneider
Arborshade Dermatology, 702 W Arapaho Rd, Suite 104, Richardson, TX 75080
Phone: 214-833-5300 · Fax: 972-634-6349 · Email: office@arborshadederm.com