Valere Wellness Group, LLC NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN ACCESS THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
Valere Wellness Group, LLC (“Practice,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) provides telehealth and asynchronous metabolic health services. We are required to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information (“PHI”) in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”), the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (“HITECH”), and the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (“CMIA”).
1. OUR LEGAL DUTIES
Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
Provide you with this Notice describing our legal duties and privacy practices.
Follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect.
Notify you if a breach of unsecured protected health information occurs.
2. TELEHEALTH, ASYNCHRONOUS CARE & ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
Because our services are provided primarily through telehealth and asynchronous communication, much of your protected health information is created, transmitted, reviewed, and stored electronically.
Services may include asynchronous review of submitted intake information, secure messaging, video consultations when clinically appropriate, electronic prescribing, electronic laboratory ordering and review, and electronic payment processing.
We use technology platforms and service providers designed to support HIPAA-compliant operations and who are contractually obligated to safeguard protected health information where applicable.
Telehealth visits are not routinely recorded. If recording is requested for any reason, a separate consent will be obtained.
Electronic communication carries inherent privacy and security risks. While reasonable safeguards are used, no electronic system can guarantee absolute security.
You are responsible for protecting your login credentials, maintaining access to your secure communication channels, and ensuring reasonable privacy at your physical location during telehealth interactions, messaging, or consultations.
Electronic messages and asynchronous submissions are reviewed during normal business operations and should not be used for urgent or emergency medical concerns.
Asynchronous care, messaging, and telehealth services are not appropriate for emergency medical situations.
3. HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR INFORMATION
Treatment – To provide, coordinate, and manage your care, including reviewing intake submissions, communicating treatment recommendations, ordering laboratory testing, and prescribing medications when clinically appropriate.
Payment – To obtain payment for services, process electronic payments, and manage billing activities.
Healthcare Operations – For quality improvement, compliance activities, training, auditing, operational management, and business administration.
Appointment Reminders & Communications – Through secure portal messaging, phone, voicemail, text message, or email when appropriate.
As Required by Law – Including public health reporting, abuse reporting, court orders, law enforcement requests, or other legally required disclosures.
Public Health & Safety – To prevent or lessen serious threats to health or safety when permitted or required by law.
Business Associates – With vendors and service providers who assist in providing healthcare operations and are contractually obligated to appropriately safeguard protected health information where required.
4. USES REQUIRING WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION
We will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your information for marketing purposes, the sale of protected health information, disclosure of psychotherapy notes (if applicable), or uses not otherwise described in this Notice.
You may revoke an authorization at any time in writing, except to the extent action has already been taken in reliance on the authorization.
5. YOUR RIGHTS
Access and obtain copies of your health records.
Request amendments to your records.
Request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures.
Request confidential communications.
Receive an accounting of certain disclosures.
Obtain a paper or electronic copy of this Notice upon request.
6. CALIFORNIA-SPECIFIC PRIVACY PROTECTIONS
When California law provides greater privacy protections than federal law, we follow California law.
Certain sensitive information, including HIV status, mental health information, and substance use treatment records, may receive additional protections under California or federal law.
7. BREACH NOTIFICATION
If unsecured protected health information is breached, we will notify you as required by federal and California law.
8. CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE
We reserve the right to revise this Notice at any time. Updated versions will be made available through our website, patient portal, or intake process and will include a revised effective date.
9. COMPLAINTS
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with Valere Wellness Group, LLC or with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights.
You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.
Complaints may be submitted in writing to the contact information below.
10. CONTACT INFORMATION
4240 Kearny Mesa Rd, STE 120
San Diego, CA 92111
Email: hello@valerewellnessgroup.com
Phone: (858) 878-2719