HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

Effective Date: May 2026

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN ACCESS THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Elevate Spine & Health is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your protected health information (“PHI”). This Notice describes how we may use and disclose your medical information, your rights regarding your health information, and our legal responsibilities under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”). HIPAA requires covered healthcare providers to provide patients with a Notice of Privacy Practices explaining how PHI may be used and disclosed and outlining patient rights.

1. Our Responsibilities

We are required by law to:

  • Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information

  • Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices

  • Follow the terms of this Notice currently in effect

  • Notify you if a breach occurs that may compromise the privacy or security of your information

We reserve the right to revise or update this Notice at any time. Updated versions will be posted in our office and on our website when applicable.

2. How We May Use & Disclose Your Information

Your protected health information may be used or disclosed for purposes including treatment, payment, and healthcare operations as permitted under HIPAA.

Treatment

We may use or disclose your medical information to provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare treatment and services.

Examples may include:

  • Reviewing examination findings

  • Developing treatment plans

  • Communicating with other healthcare providers involved in your care when authorized or permitted by law

Payment

We may use or disclose information to obtain payment for healthcare services provided to you.

Examples may include:

  • Billing

  • Payment plan administration

  • Insurance reimbursement processing when applicable

Please note that Elevate Spine & Health operates primarily as a cash-based practice. Insurance reimbursement, if pursued, remains the responsibility of the patient.

Healthcare Operations

We may use your information for operational and administrative purposes necessary to run our practice.

Examples may include:

  • Quality improvement

  • Staff training

  • Compliance activities

  • Appointment scheduling

  • Internal administrative functions

3. Additional Situations Where Information May Be Disclosed

We may disclose information when required or permitted by law, including:

  • Public health reporting

  • Health oversight activities

  • Legal proceedings

  • Workers’ compensation claims

  • Law enforcement requests

  • Preventing serious threats to health or safety

We may also disclose information to business associates or service providers who assist in operating our practice and are required to safeguard your information appropriately.

4. Appointment Reminders & Communication

We may contact you through:

  • Phone calls

  • Voicemail

  • Text messaging (SMS)

  • Email

  • Mail correspondence

for purposes including:

  • Appointment reminders

  • Scheduling updates

  • Office communication

  • Treatment follow-up

Phone calls may be recorded for operational, quality assurance, training, or business purposes.

Standard messaging and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier.

While we take reasonable precautions to protect your information, electronic communications such as text messaging and email may not always be fully secure.

5. Uses & Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization

Certain uses and disclosures of your protected health information require your written authorization.

This may include:

  • Marketing communications not otherwise permitted by law

  • Disclosure of psychotherapy notes (if applicable)

  • Uses not otherwise described in this Notice

You may revoke an authorization at any time in writing, except where we have already relied on that authorization.

6. Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

Under HIPAA, you have certain rights regarding your protected health information. HIPAA regulations require healthcare providers to inform patients of these rights.

Right to Access

You may request access to inspect or receive copies of your medical records, subject to certain legal limitations.

Right to Request Corrections

You may request amendments or corrections to information you believe is incomplete or inaccurate.

Right to Request Restrictions

You may request restrictions regarding certain uses or disclosures of your information. While we will consider all requests, we may not always be legally required to agree to them.

Right to Confidential Communications

You may request that we communicate with you in specific ways or at specific locations.

Right to Receive an Accounting of Disclosures

You may request a list of certain disclosures of your information made outside of treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.

Right to Obtain a Paper Copy

You may request a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you previously agreed to receive it electronically.

7. Minors

Services for individuals under the age of 18 generally require parental consent or involvement where applicable under Texas law.

8. Website, Texting & Social Media

General website forms, social media messaging, text messaging, and email communications are not intended for the submission of highly sensitive medical information, insurance information, Social Security numbers, or detailed protected health information whenever possible.

Please limit electronically submitted information to basic appointment requests or general inquiries unless otherwise directed by our office.

9. Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with:

Elevate Spine & Health

3129 Kingsley Drive, Suite 1940
Pearland, Texas 77584

Phone: (281) 502-4741
Email: drtyler@elevatespinehealth.com

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights. Filing a complaint will not result in retaliation against you.

10. Contact Information

Elevate Spine & Health
3129 Kingsley Drive, Suite 1940
Pearland, Texas 77584

Phone: (281) 502-4741
Email: drtyler@elevatespinehealth.com

Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

This Notice is intended to comply with applicable HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices requirements under 45 CFR §164.520.