Effective Date: May 25, 2026
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how Phases of Health may use and disclose your protected health information and explains your rights regarding that information.
This Notice applies to protected health information created, received, maintained, or transmitted by Phases of Health in connection with healthcare services, which may include in-person acupuncture, Tuina, online consultation services, intake forms, treatment records, appointment communications, billing information, and related professional care.
This Notice does not replace our separate Privacy Policy, which explains how information is collected and used through our website, contact forms, email list, cookies, analytics, and website tools.
We are required by law to:
Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information
Give you this Notice explaining our legal duties and privacy practices
Follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect
Notify you if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your protected health information
Not use or disclose your protected health information except as described in this Notice or as otherwise permitted or required by law
We may update this Notice from time to time. If we make material changes, the updated Notice will apply to all protected health information we maintain. The current Notice will be available on our website and upon request.
Protected health information, also called PHI, is information that identifies you and relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health condition, healthcare services, or payment for healthcare services.
Examples may include:
Name and contact information
Date of birth
Health history
Symptoms or concerns
Treatment notes
Appointment records
Intake forms
Billing or payment information
Communications related to care
Information shared during in-person or online consultations
We may use and disclose your protected health information for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations without your written authorization, as permitted by law.
We may use and disclose your health information to provide, coordinate, or manage your care.
For example, we may use your information to understand your health history, provide acupuncture or Tuina services, support consultation services, coordinate care, or communicate with another healthcare provider involved in your treatment.
We may use and disclose your health information to bill and receive payment for services.
For example, we may use information to process payment, provide receipts, manage billing records, or communicate with a payment processor, insurer, or other authorized party when applicable.
We may use and disclose your health information for activities necessary to operate the practice.
For example, we may use information for scheduling, recordkeeping, quality improvement, professional consultation, business administration, legal compliance, accounting, technology support, or practice management.
We may use or disclose your protected health information without your written authorization when permitted or required by law, including:
When required by federal, state, or local law
For public health activities, such as reporting certain diseases, injuries, or safety concerns
To report suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence when required or permitted by law
For health oversight activities, such as audits, investigations, inspections, or licensing
In response to a court order, subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process
For law enforcement purposes when permitted or required by law
To coroners, medical examiners, or funeral directors when applicable
To prevent or reduce a serious threat to health or safety
For workers’ compensation or similar programs when applicable
To business associates who perform services on our behalf and agree to protect your information
We may use your contact information to send appointment reminders or communicate with you about services, scheduling, treatment options, health-related resources, or administrative matters.
You may ask us to contact you in a specific way or at a specific location. We will accommodate reasonable requests when possible.
We will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your protected health information for purposes not described in this Notice or otherwise permitted by law.
Written authorization is generally required for:
Most marketing uses of protected health information
Sale of protected health information
Use or disclosure of psychotherapy notes, if applicable
Use or disclosure of certain specially protected records, when required by law
Any other use or disclosure not permitted by law without authorization
If you give us written authorization, you may revoke it in writing at any time. We cannot take back disclosures already made based on your authorization.
Certain substance use disorder treatment records may receive additional privacy protections under federal law.
If Phases of Health creates, receives, or maintains substance use disorder records subject to 42 CFR Part 2, those records will be handled according to the additional protections required by law.
In general, substance use disorder records cannot be used or disclosed in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings against you unless you give specific written consent or a court order permits the disclosure.
If applicable, substance use disorder counseling notes may require separate consent before they are used or disclosed.
You have certain rights regarding your protected health information.
You have the right to inspect or receive a copy of health information we maintain about you, with limited exceptions.
Requests must be made in writing. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for copies as permitted by law.
If you believe health information we maintain about you is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask us to amend it.
Your request must be made in writing and explain why the information should be changed. We may deny your request in certain circumstances. If we deny your request, we will explain why in writing.
You have the right to ask us to limit how we use or disclose your health information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
We are not always required to agree to your request, except in certain cases, such as when you pay out of pocket in full for a service and ask us not to disclose information about that service to your health plan.
You have the right to ask us to contact you in a specific way or at a specific location.
For example, you may ask us to contact you only by email, only by phone, or at a particular mailing address. We will accommodate reasonable requests.
You have the right to request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your protected health information.
This list will not include all disclosures, such as disclosures made for treatment, payment, healthcare operations, disclosures made to you, or disclosures you authorized, except where required by law.
You have the right to receive a paper copy of this Notice, even if you agreed to receive it electronically.
If you authorize us to use or disclose your health information, you may revoke that authorization in writing at any time.
Revocation will not affect actions already taken based on your prior authorization.
You have the right to file a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.
You may file a complaint directly with Phases of Health using the contact information below. You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights.
We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
We may work with third-party service providers, called business associates, who help us operate the practice or provide services on our behalf.
These may include technology providers, billing support, scheduling tools, secure communication tools, recordkeeping systems, professional advisors, or other vendors.
When required by law, we enter into agreements requiring business associates to protect your protected health information.
If you communicate with us electronically or participate in online consultation services, information may be transmitted through electronic systems.
We take reasonable steps to protect electronic health information, but no electronic communication system is completely secure. We will use reasonable safeguards and appropriate tools for health-related communications where required.
Please avoid sending sensitive health information through general website forms or regular email unless you have been instructed to do so through an appropriate secure process.
We may disclose health information to your personal representative as permitted by law.
We may also share limited information with a family member, relative, close friend, caregiver, or other person involved in your care or payment for care if you agree, if you do not object when given the opportunity, or if we determine based on professional judgment that it is in your best interest.
When using or disclosing protected health information, we will make reasonable efforts to limit the information to the minimum necessary to accomplish the intended purpose, except when disclosure is made for treatment, to you, based on your authorization, or as otherwise permitted by law.
We reserve the right to change this Notice and our privacy practices.
Any updated Notice will apply to health information we already maintain as well as information we receive in the future. The current Notice will be posted on our website and available upon request.
If you have questions about this Notice, want to exercise your privacy rights, or wish to file a complaint, please contact:
Phases of Health
Email: info@phasesofhealth.com
Phone for in-person acupuncture and Tuina scheduling: 646.801.6810
You may also file a complaint with:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office for Civil Rights
We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
If you receive services from Phases of Health, we may ask you to acknowledge that you received this Notice. If you choose not to sign an acknowledgment, we may still provide services and will document our effort to provide the Notice.
This Notice is effective as of May 25, 2026.