Dr. Christopher Butler and Butler Acupuncture Center ("we," "us," or "our") are committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website drchristopherbutler.com, use our services at Butler Acupuncture Center, or purchase our products.
HIPAA Notice: As a healthcare provider, we are required to maintain the privacy of your Protected Health Information (PHI) and provide you with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices. This policy supplements our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, which is provided separately to patients.
1. Information We Collect
Personal Information
We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:
- Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address
- Date of birth and demographic information
- Insurance information and billing details
- Payment information (credit card numbers are processed securely and not stored)
- Health information relevant to your care (collected in compliance with HIPAA)
- Appointment history and preferences
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain information, including:
- IP address and browser type
- Device information and operating system
- Pages visited and time spent on site
- Referring website addresses
- Cookies and similar tracking technologies
Information from Third Parties
We may receive information about you from third parties, including:
- Insurance companies for claims processing
- Referring healthcare providers
- Marketing partners (with your consent)
- Payment processors
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Provide, maintain, and improve our healthcare services
- Schedule and manage appointments
- Process payments and insurance claims
- Communicate with you about appointments, services, and health information
- Send promotional communications (with your consent)
- Fulfill product orders and provide customer support
- Comply with legal obligations and healthcare regulations
- Analyze website usage to improve user experience
- Protect against fraudulent or illegal activity
3. How We Share Your Information
We may share your information in the following circumstances:
Healthcare Operations
We may share your health information as permitted by HIPAA for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations purposes.
Service Providers
We may share information with third-party vendors who perform services on our behalf, including:
- Appointment scheduling platforms
- Payment processors
- Email marketing services
- Website hosting and analytics providers
- Electronic health record systems
These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.
Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information when required by law, such as in response to a subpoena, court order, or other legal process, or to protect our rights, property, or safety.
Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to:
- Remember your preferences and settings
- Understand how you use our website
- Deliver relevant content and advertisements
- Analyze website traffic and performance
You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our website.
Third-Party Analytics
We may use third-party analytics services such as Google Analytics to help understand website usage. These services may collect information about your online activities across different websites.
5. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information, including:
- Encryption of data in transit and at rest
- Secure server infrastructure
- Access controls and authentication
- Regular security assessments
- Employee training on data protection
However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
6. Data Retention
We retain your information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law. Medical records are retained in accordance with New Jersey healthcare record retention requirements.
7. Your Rights and Choices
You have certain rights regarding your personal information:
Access and Correction
You may request access to your personal information and ask that we correct any inaccuracies.
Deletion
You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal retention requirements.
Marketing Communications
You may opt out of receiving promotional emails by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any email or contacting us directly.
HIPAA Rights
As a patient, you have additional rights under HIPAA, including the right to:
- Access and obtain a copy of your health records
- Request amendments to your health information
- Receive an accounting of disclosures
- Request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures
- File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated
8. Children's Privacy
Our website is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us.
9. California Privacy Rights
If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information we collect and how it is used, the right to request deletion, and the right to opt out of the sale of personal information. We do not sell personal information.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will be indicated by an updated "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.
11. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights, please contact us:
Dr. Christopher Butler / Butler Acupuncture Center
301 North Ave East
Cranford, NJ 07016
Phone/Text: (908) 721-1317
Website: drchristopherbutler.com
12. Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.