Privacy Policy

Introduction

Mathenge Psychiatric Services is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your personal and health information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website mathengepsychiatryservices.com and engage with our services. As a healthcare provider in Washington State, we adhere to all applicable federal and state privacy laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Information We Collect

Personal Information

This includes information that can identify you directly, such as your name, address, email address, phone number, date of birth, and insurance details. We collect this when you voluntarily provide it, for example, when you fill out contact forms, schedule appointments, or register for services.

Protected Health Information (PHI)

As a healthcare provider, we collect PHI, which includes information about your past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition, the provision of healthcare to you, or the past, present, or future payment for the provision of healthcare to you. This information is collected during psychiatric evaluations, treatment, and medication management.

Website Usage Data

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect non-personal information about your device and browsing activity. This may include your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages viewed, and the dates/times of your visits. This data helps us understand how our website is used and improve its functionality.

How We Use Your Information

Providing Clinical Care: Psychiatric evaluations, medication management, psychotherapy, and other mental health services.
Appointment Management: Scheduling, confirmations, and reminders.
Communication: Responding to inquiries and sending service updates.
Billing and Payments: Processing payments, insurance claims, and billing inquiries.
Improving Services: Understanding patient needs and enhancing website and service quality.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Meeting legal obligations and responding to lawful requests.

Disclosure of Your Information

We do not disclose your PHI unless permitted or required by law. Disclosures may include:

Treatment: To other providers with your consent.
Payment: To insurers or third-party payers for claims processing.
Healthcare Operations: Quality improvement, training, and administrative activities.
Legal and Public Health Requirements: As required by law for public health, abuse reporting, judicial processes, or law enforcement.
Business Associates: Third-party vendors who support our operations and comply with HIPAA requirements.

Data Security

We implement administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. While we strive to protect your data, no electronic transmission or storage method is 100% secure.

Your Privacy Rights

Under HIPAA and applicable laws, you have the following rights regarding your PHI:

Right to Access: Request copies of your medical records.
Right to Amend: Request corrections if information is inaccurate or incomplete.
Right to Accounting of Disclosures: Obtain a list of certain disclosures.
Right to Request Restrictions: Request limits on how PHI is used or disclosed.
Right to Confidential Communications: Request alternative communication methods.
Right to a Paper Copy: Request a printed copy of this policy.

Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices and encourage you to review their policies.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Revisions will be posted with an updated “Last Updated” date. Please review the policy periodically.

Contact Us

If you have questions regarding this Privacy Policy or our practices, please contact:

Mathenge Psychiatric Services
Tel: 253 683 7483
Fax: 253 237 9329
Email 1: admin@mathengepsychiatryservices.com
Email 2: mathengepsychiatryservices@gmail.com

Important Considerations

Ensure actual practice aligns with this policy to remain HIPAA compliant.
Washington State privacy laws may require additional disclosures.