Bay Ridge Dermatology
HIPAA

Notice of Privacy Practices.

This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed, and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.

Effective: January 1, 2026

Required NoticeFederal law (HIPAA) requires healthcare providers to give patients written notice of their privacy practices. This is our notice.

1. Our Pledge Regarding Health Information

Bay Ridge Dermatology is committed to protecting the privacy of your protected health information ("PHI"). PHI is information about you, including basic demographic information, that may identify you and that relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health condition or related health care services.

2. How We May Use and Disclose Your PHI

For treatment

We may use and disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare and related services. For example, we may share your information with other healthcare providers involved in your care, including specialists, laboratories, and pharmacies.

For payment

We may use and disclose your PHI to obtain payment for the services we provide. For example, we may share information with your insurance company to verify coverage and process claims.

For healthcare operations

We may use and disclose your PHI for our internal operations, such as quality assessment, provider training, business planning, customer service, and compliance reviews.

Appointment reminders and communications

We may use your contact information to remind you of upcoming appointments, follow up on treatment, or provide information about other services we offer.

Other uses requiring your authorization

Some uses and disclosures require your written authorization, including:

  • Marketing communications (other than face-to-face communications)
  • Sale of your PHI
  • Most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes

You may revoke any authorization in writing at any time.

3. Disclosures We May Make Without Your Authorization

Under certain circumstances, federal and state law allows us to disclose your PHI without your authorization, including:

  • To public health authorities for disease prevention and reporting
  • To report victims of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
  • For health oversight activities
  • In response to a court order, subpoena, or other legal process
  • For law enforcement purposes
  • To coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors
  • For organ and tissue donation
  • For research, subject to specific safeguards
  • To avert a serious threat to health or safety
  • For specialized government functions, such as military and national security
  • For workers' compensation claims

4. Your Rights Regarding Your PHI

Right to inspect and copy

You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your medical and billing records, with limited exceptions. To request access, submit a written request to our office. We may charge a reasonable fee for copies.

Right to request amendment

If you believe information in your record is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment in writing. We may deny your request in limited circumstances.

Right to an accounting of disclosures

You have the right to receive an accounting of certain disclosures of your PHI made by us in the six years prior to your request.

Right to request restrictions

You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your PHI. We are not required to agree to most requested restrictions, but if we agree, we will honor it except in emergency situations.

Right to request confidential communications

You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your PHI in a specific manner or at a specific location. We will accommodate reasonable requests.

Right to a paper copy of this notice

You have the right to receive a paper copy of this notice upon request, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically.

5. Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our office or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

6. Changes to This Notice

We reserve the right to change this notice. The revised notice will be effective for information we already have about you as well as any information we receive in the future. A current copy of this notice is always available at our office and on this website.

7. Contact

For questions about this notice or to exercise any of your rights, contact our Privacy Officer at: