Health information privacy
Notice of Privacy Practices
Effective date: September 3, 2026
Your information. Your rights. Our responsibilities.
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.
Your rights
Get a copy of your records
You may ask to inspect or receive an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other health information we maintain about you. We generally provide a copy or summary within the time allowed by law and may charge a reasonable, cost based fee.
Ask us to correct your record
You may ask us to correct health information that you believe is incorrect or incomplete. We may deny the request in some circumstances, but we will explain the reason in writing within the time allowed by law.
Request confidential communications
You may ask us to contact you in a specific way, such as at a particular phone number, or to send mail to a different address. We will accommodate reasonable requests.
Ask us to limit what we use or share
You may ask us not to use or share certain information for treatment, payment, or health care operations. We are not required to agree to every request. When you pay in full out of pocket for an item or service, you may ask us not to disclose that information to your health plan for payment or operations, unless disclosure is required by law.
Receive a list of certain disclosures
You may ask for an accounting of certain disclosures made during the six years before your request. The list does not include every disclosure, such as many disclosures for treatment, payment, or health care operations.
Get a copy of this notice
You may 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 a legal guardian has been appointed, that person may exercise your rights and make choices about your health information as permitted by law.
File a complaint without retaliation
You may complain to the practice or to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights if you believe your privacy rights were violated. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Your choices
In certain situations, you may tell us your preferences about sharing information with family, friends, or others involved in your care and for disaster relief. If you cannot tell us your preference, such as when you are unconscious, we may share information when we believe it is in your best interest and the law permits it. You may tell us not to contact you for fundraising.
How we may use and share information
Treat you
We may use your health information and share it with other professionals who are treating you. Example: A clinician treating an injury asks another provider about your overall health.
Run the practice
We may use and share your health information to operate the practice, improve your care, and contact you when necessary. Example: We use health information to review the quality of treatment and services.
Bill for services
We may use and share your health information to bill and obtain payment from health plans or other entities. Example: We give information about a service to your health plan so it can pay for that service.
We may also use or share information as permitted or required by law, including for public health and safety, health oversight, workers’ compensation, law enforcement, organ donation, coroners or medical examiners, permitted research, and judicial or administrative proceedings. We follow Texas and other applicable laws when they provide greater privacy protection, including protections for confidential physician-patient communications and specially protected records.
We generally need your written authorization for marketing, sale of health information, and most uses or disclosures of psychotherapy notes. Other uses and disclosures not described in this notice also require authorization when the law requires it. You may revoke an authorization in writing, except to the extent we already acted in reliance on it.
Additional protection for certain records
If we maintain or receive records protected by 42 CFR Part 2 concerning a substance use disorder program, those records receive additional protection. We will not use or disclose those records in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings against you unless you provide written consent or an applicable court order and subpoena satisfy the governing requirements. Before using or disclosing Part 2 records for fundraising, we will provide clear and conspicuous notice and a clear and conspicuous opportunity to opt out of receiving those communications.
Our responsibilities
The law requires us to maintain the privacy and security of protected health information, promptly notify you if a breach may have compromised the privacy or security of your information, follow this notice, and provide you a copy. We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you authorize it in writing or the law permits or requires it. We may change this notice. The revised notice will apply to all information we maintain and will be available on this page and at the office.
Questions or complaints
Contact the Privacy Officer for Premier Foot & Ankle Specialist of Texas at 1576 Lomaland Drive, El Paso, TX 79935 or call (915) 995-1650. You may request a paper copy at the office.
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights or review the Texas Attorney General’s patient privacy resources. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.