Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

We respect our legal obligation to keep health information that identifies you private. We are required by law to give you notice of our privacy practices. This notice describes how we protect your health information and what rights you have regarding it.

HIPAA Privacy Policy

As part of our commitment to protecting your personal health information, we comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA regulations require us to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of protected health information (PHI).

Treatment, Payment, and Health Care Operations

The most common reason that we use or disclose your health information is for treatment, payment or health care operations. We routinely use and disclose your medical information within the office on a daily basis. We do not need specific permission to use or disclose your medical information in the following matters, although you have the right to request that we do not.

Treatment Purposes

Examples of how we might use or disclose health information for treatment purposes might include:

• Setting up or changing appointments including leaving messages containing no information about your personal health information with those at your home or office who may answer the phone or leaving messages on answering machines, voice mails, text or email; calling your name out in a reception room environment;
• Prescribing glasses, contact lenses, or medications as well as relaying this information to suppliers by phone, fax or other electronic means including initial prescriptions and requests from suppliers for refills;
• Notifying you that your ophthalmic goods are ready, including leaving messages containing no personal health information with those at your home or office who may answer the phone, or leaving messages on answering machines, voice mails, text or emails;
• Referring you to another doctor for care not provided by this office;
• Obtaining copies of health information from doctors you have seen before us; discussing your care with you directly or with family or friends you have inferred or agreed may listen to information about your health;
• Sending you postcards or letters or leaving messages containing no personal health information with those at your home who may answer the phone or on answering machines, voice mails, text or emails reminding you it is time for continued care;
• At your request, we can provide you with a copy of your medical records via secured fax, secured email, secured patient portal, or printed copies delivered in person or through the US mail.

Payment Purposes

Examples of how we might use or disclose health information for payment purposes might include:

• Asking you about your vision or medical insurance plans or other sources of payment;
• Preparing and sending bills to your insurance provider or to you;
• Providing any information required by third party payors in order to ensure payment for services rendered to you;
• Sending notices of payment due on your account to the person designated as responsible party or head of household on your account with fee explanations that could include procedures performed and for what diagnosis;
• Collecting unpaid balances either ourselves or through a collection agency, attorney, or district attorney's office. At the patient's request we may not disclose to a health plan or health care operation information related to care that you have paid for out of pocket.

Business Operations

Examples of how we might use or disclose health information for business operations might include:

• Financial or billing audits;
• Internal quality assurance programs; participation in managed care plans; defense of legal matters;
• Business planning;
• Certain research functions; informing you of products or services offered by our office;
• Compliance with local, state, or federal government agencies request for information;
• Oversight activities such as licensing of our doctors;
• Medicare or Medicaid audits;
• Providing information regarding your vision status to the Department of Public Safety, a school nurse, or agency qualifying for disability status.

Uses and Disclosures for Other Reasons

In some limited situations, the law allows or requires us to use or disclose your health information without your permission. Such situations include:

• When state or federal law mandates reporting for a specific purpose.
• For public health purposes (contagious disease reporting, etc.).
• FDA notices regarding drugs or medical devices.
• Disclosures to authorities about suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
• Judicial and administrative proceedings, such as in response to subpoenas.
• Law enforcement purposes, identifying victims, or reporting crimes.
• To prevent serious threat to health or safety.

User Privacy Policy (SMS & Website)

We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is handled responsibly.

• Collection of Information: We collect information necessary to provide our services, including mobile information (phone numbers and text message content) required to deliver communication services.
• Use of Information: Your personal information is used solely to provide the services you have requested, such as service provision and support.
• Sharing of Information (Mobile Carrier Compliance):
  • No mobile information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes.
  • All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties or lead generators.
  • Your consent to receive SMS is not a condition of purchase.
  • Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply.
  • Reply STOP to cancel at any time, or HELP for customer support.

SMS Messaging Program

1. Program Description: Used for appointment reminders, confirmations, digital intake forms, billing notifications, and rescheduling assistance.
2. Cancellation / Opt-Out: Text the keyword STOP to [TEXTING VOIP NUMBER]. We will send a confirmation message. You can rejoin by texting START.
3. Support / Help: Reply HELP for assistance, or contact us at (419) 445-5436 or info@kingsvisioncenter.com.
4. Carrier Liability: Wireless carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
5. Message & Data Rates: Rates may apply. Frequency varies based on your appointments and interactions.

Your Rights Under HIPAA

The law gives you many rights regarding your health information. You can:

• Ask us to restrict our uses and disclosures (except emergency treatment).
• Ask us to communicate with you in a confidential way.
• Ask to see or receive photocopies of your health information.
• Ask us to amend your health information if you think it is incorrect.
• Get a list of the disclosures we have made in the past.

Breach Notification & Complaints

In the event of a reportable breach of patient information, our practice will abide by the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule. If you think we have not properly respected your privacy, you may file a written complaint with our office or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.