Privacy Policy

Ternion Physician Group is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information and protected health information (PHI) are handled in compliance with applicable laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information you provide to us through our website, text messages (SMS/MMS), emails, and other electronic communications.

By using our website or providing your contact information, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of information:

A. Personal Information

  • Name

  • Date of birth

  • Phone number

  • Email address

  • Mailing address

  • Insurance information

B. Protected Health Information (PHI)

  • Medical history

  • Diagnoses, treatments, and care details

  • Provider notes

  • Appointment information

  • Billing and payment information

C. Website & Technical Information

  • IP address

  • Browser information

  • Device type

  • Cookies, tracking data, usage statistics

We only collect PHI necessary to provide services, communicate with you, or comply with legal and billing requirements.

3. Communication by Text Message (SMS/MMS)

A. Consent

By providing your mobile phone number, you consent to receive text messages from us. These may include:

  • Appointment reminders

  • Billing notifications

  • Care coordination messages

  • Administrative updates

  • Patient registration or insurance requests

You may opt out at any time by replying STOP.

B. Security Limitations of SMS

While we take reasonable precautions, standard text messages are not encrypted.
Therefore, there is a risk that messages may be intercepted or viewed by others with access to your phone.

We do not send highly sensitive PHI via SMS unless you explicitly authorize it.

4. Communication by Email

A. Email Content

Emails may include:

  • Appointment reminders

  • Billing statements

  • General updates

  • Care coordination messages

  • Administrative requests

We avoid sending detailed PHI unless you request or authorize email communication for such information.

B. Security Limitations of Email

Standard email is not encrypted and may not be fully secure.
By providing your email address, you acknowledge these risks.

You may request secure communication options at any time.

5. How We Use Your Information

We may use your information to:

  • Provide and coordinate medical care

  • Communicate with you regarding appointments, services, or billing

  • Submit insurance claims and process payments

  • Maintain medical and billing records

  • Improve our services and website

  • Comply with state and federal laws

We do not sell your information to third parties.

6. How We Share Your Information

We may share information with:

  • Healthcare providers involved in your care

  • Insurance companies for billing or authorization

  • Business associates who assist with operations (e.g., billing companies, EHR vendors)

  • Labs, pharmacies, and diagnostics centers

  • Regulatory agencies when required by law

All business associates are required to follow HIPAA rules and maintain confidentiality.

We do not share your information with marketers, advertisers, or unrelated third parties.

7. HIPAA Compliance

We are a HIPAA-covered entity and follow all federal guidelines to protect PHI. This includes:

  • Administrative, physical, and technical safeguards

  • Staff training on privacy and security

  • Secure recordkeeping

  • Limited-access systems

Your PHI will only be used or disclosed for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations unless authorized by you.

A full HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices is available upon request.

8. Your Privacy Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access your medical records

  • Request corrections to your information

  • Request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures

  • Request confidential communications

  • Opt out of text messages and emails

  • Receive an accounting of disclosures

  • File a complaint with our Privacy Officer or with HHS

We will never deny care for exercising your rights.

9. Data Security Measures

We use a combination of safeguards to protect your information, including:

  • Secure servers and firewalls

  • Encryption where applicable

  • Access controls and user authentication

  • Staff HIPAA compliance training

  • Regular security audits

While we take these measures seriously, no system is fully secure, especially email and SMS communications.

10. Cookies and Website Tracking

To improve website performance and user experience, we may use:

  • Cookies

  • Analytics tools

  • IP tracking

  • Session data

This information does not identify you personally unless you submit a form containing PHI.

You may disable cookies in your browser settings.

11. Third-Party Services

Our website may contain links to third-party sites or services.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites.

12. Children’s Privacy

We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13 without parental consent.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy at any time. Updated versions will be posted on our website with a new effective date.