Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act
DOH’S HIPAA INFORMATION PRIVACY AND SECURITY
In 1996, Congress passed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). One component of HIPAA was to streamline the process to exchange information and to make health information more readily accessible to patients.
The HIPAA Privacy Rule went into effect it April 2003 and created a federal standard for protecting the privacy of health information. The Privacy Rule also requires DOH to comply with Florida laws that provide greater protection to patients.
HIPAA and You
The Privacy Rule, generally prohibits the use and disclosure of health information without written permission from the patient. The Privacy Rule also gives patient’s rights to access their medical and billing records, request amendments to those records, and obtain an accounting of disclosure of protected health information. The Department’s Notice of Privacy Practices further describes the use and disclosure of patient medical information and how patients may obtain access to their information.
What is PHI?
PHI is defined as any health information created or received by a health care provider that: (1) identifies and individual; and (2) relates to that individual’s past, present, or future physical or mental health condition or to payment for health care.
Protected health information includes information in any form or medium, from a paper medical record to a conversation between colleagues consulting on the care of a patient.
What does the Privacy Rule require?
The Privacy Rule prohibits the use or disclosure of protected health information or PHI, unless the patient has signed an authorization to disclose PHI.
What is the Notice of Privacy Practices?
The Notice of Privacy Practices explains to patients the ways DOH is allowed to use a patient’s protected health information and lists the rights patients have with respect to their health information.
What is an Authorization to Disclose?
A written document signed by the patient giving permission for a health care provider to disclose PHI to specified individuals and/or entities. A patient’s authorization to disclose is not required for the following purposes:
- For the treatment of a patient
- For payment of or billing for services
- For health care operations (for example, quality assurance, credentialing, audits, compliance monitoring)
Protected health information may also be provided to patient caregivers (for example family members) but only if the patient expressly agrees or impliedly consents.
Certain disclosure may also be made by a health care provider without patient authorization to accomplish public health activities and other permitted uses as set forth in the Privacy Rule. “Consumer information is not shared with third-parties for marketing purposes” and explains why and how customer information is collected.
Messaging Disclosure
Acknowledgement of following consent, “I hereby consent to receive SMS text messages from Great Smile Dental from 772-877-3066, regarding appointment reminders, treatment updates, general two-way communication and important practice information on my mobile phone number. I understand that I can opt-out of receiving these messages at any time by replying ‘STOP’ to a text from Great Smile Dental or “HELP” for support. I acknowledge that standard message and data rates may apply. Msg frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Consumer information is not shared with third-parties for marketing purposes”.
10DLC Privacy Policy & Disclosures Effective Date: 01-28-2025
Terms and Conditions (Terms of Service)
Effective Date: 01-28-2025
Great Smile Dental respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and share information when you opt in to receive SMS messages from us. Information We Collect; When you opt in to receive SMS messages, we collect:
• Your phone number
• Consent to send SMS messages
How We Use Your Information; We use your information to:
• Send you the SMS messages you’ve opted in to receive
• Provide updates, promotions, or other relevant content based on your preferences
Sharing Your Information
We do not share your phone number or SMS opt-in information with third parties for marketing purposes.
Your Rights
You can opt out of receiving SMS messages at any time by replying with “STOP” to any message we send you.
Data Security
We implement reasonable measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access or disclosure. If you have questions or concerns about our privacy practices, contact us at 772-621-2492.
By opting in to receive SMS messages from Great Smile Dental, you agree to the following terms:
SMS Messaging Service
By providing my phone number, I consent to receive SMS text messages from Great Smile Dental for appointment reminders, marketing messages, and general two-way communication. Msg frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for support. Reply STOP to opt out
Message Frequency
You will receive an estimated 5 messages per reservation.
Message and Data Rates
Message and data rates may apply based on your mobile carrier’s terms.
Privacy Policy
Your information will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which can be viewed here.
Opt-Out Instructions
You can opt out at any time by replying “STOP” to any SMS message. Reply HELP for support. You may also contact us directly at 772-621-2492.
Liability
We are not responsible for any charges, errors, or delays in SMS delivery caused by your carrier or third-party service providers. By opting in, you confirm that you are the owner or authorized user of the phone number provided and that you are at least 18 years old.
Rules, Terms & Conditions Smile Makeover VIP Giveaway
A purchase will not increase your odds of winning. All federal, state, local and municipal laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited. The Smile Makeover VIP Giveaway is sponsored by Great Smile Dental. (“GSD”). Selection of winners and all other aspects of the giveaway shall be final and binding on entrant in all respects. GSD will not be responsible for typographical, printing or other inadvertent errors in these Official Rules or in other materials relating to the giveaway. If you have any questions regarding this giveaway, please contact GSD at 772-621-2492 or email info@greatsmiledental.com.
Eligibility The Smile Makeover VIP giveaway is open to individuals 18 years or older at the time of entry and is only open to legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia who are members of the GSD VIP Program. This giveaway is void outside the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, and where prohibited. Employees of GSD and the immediate family members of, and any persons domiciled with such employees, are not eligible. The winner shall be entitled to transfer the prize to a member of his or her immediate family or friend.
Winner Acceptance The winner must be present at the announcement of the winner. Each finalist will be required to attend a screening visit and examination at the offices of GSD, to determine eligibility and suitability for the Winner’s prize. Winner must be a non-smoker and compliant with all aspects of treatment. Forfeiture of prize and the selection of an alternate winner (provided sufficient eligible entries are received) may result from any of the following: entrant: (1) fails to complete and return a required Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability and Publicity Release (and any other documents, if requested) within the required time; (2) is deemed ineligible or cannot be notified or contacted; (3) is not available to have procedures performed on the dates and times specified by GSD; (4) fails to respond to any other required time periods or is otherwise not in compliance with the Official Rules; (5) is found to have a medical issue that precludes the winner from having the dental treatment necessary for the “Smile Makeover” this includes but is not limited to anxiety or (6) winner fails to be compliant with the proposed course of dental treatment. ”Winners will be required to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility and a Liability and Publicity Release which must be returned within ten (10) days following the date of first attempted notification. Prizes not won and claimed by eligible winners in accordance with these Official Rules will not be awarded.
Prize Maximum The maximum value of the giveaway is fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) of dental services as measured by the usual and customary fees of GSD. This prize shall not however have any cash value. IV Sedation is not included in the prize give away.
Copyright The winner grants to GSD an exclusive, royalty-free and irrevocable right and license to publish, print, edit or otherwise use the entrant’s submitted entry, in whole or in part, for any purpose and in any manner or media now known or hereinafter developed (including, without limitation, the Internet) throughout the world in perpetuity, and to license others to do so, all without limitation or further compensation. GSD may use the winner’s name, biographical information, address, picture/photograph likeness (including before during and after photographs), video footage and/or voice, for advertising and promotional purposes without further consideration to entrant.
Limitations of Liability The winner agrees that (1) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with the giveaway, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually without resort to any form of class action, and waives his or her right to a jury trial for such disputes, claims, and causes of action; (2) any claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated, but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (3) under no circumstances will any participant be permitted to obtain any award for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental or consequential damages and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased and any other damages, other than damages for actual out-of-pocket expenses.
BY ACCEPTING THE PRIZE, THE WINNER AGREES THAT GSD AND ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES,REPRESENTATIVES AND AGENTS, WILL HAVE NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER FOR, AND WILL BE HELD HARMLESS BY WINNER FOR ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY INJURY, LOSS OR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND TO PERSONS, INCLUDING DEATH, AND PROPERTY, DUE IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FROM THE ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE OR MISUSE OF THE PRIZE OR PARTICIPATION IN THIS GIVEAWAY OR PARTICIPATION IN ANY GIVEAWAY OR PRIZE RELATED ACTIVITY.
All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of any participant and GSD, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these rules shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. If any such provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, these rules shall be construed in accordance with their terms as if the valid or enforceable provision was not contained therein.
General Release The winner releases GSD and its respective affiliated companies, directors, officers, employees, representatives, partners, independent contractors and agents from any liability whatsoever for any claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the giveaway or with the acceptance, possession or use of any prize (including, without limitation, claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages related to personal injuries, death, damage to, loss or destruction of property, rights of publicity or privacy, defamation or portrayal in a false light).