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Notice of Privacy Practices

As Required by the Privacy Regulations Created as a Result of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)

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 Date: August 1, 2026 (Revised October 11, 2026)

A. OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR PRIVACY
Our practice is dedicated to maintaining the privacy of your individually identifiable health information (IIHI). In conducting our business, we will create records regarding you and the treatment and services we provide to you. We are required by law to maintain the confidentiality of health information that identifies you. We are also required by law to provide you with this notice of our legal duties and the privacy practices that we maintain in our practice concerning your IIHI. By federal and state law, we must follow the terms of the notice of privacy practices that we have in effect at the time. We are also required by law to notify you following a breach of your unsecured protected health information.

We realize that these laws are complicated, but we must provide you with the following important information:

  • how we may use and disclose your IIHI

  • your privacy rights in your IIHI

  • our obligations concerning the use and disclosure of your IIHI


The terms of this notice apply to all records containing your IIHI that are created or retained by our practice. We reserve the right to revise or amend this Notice of Privacy Practices. Any revision or amendment to this notice will be effective for all of your records that our practice has created or maintained in the past, and for any of your records that we may create or maintain in the future. Our practice will always post the current Notice in our office, on our website, and will provide you with a copy upon request. When we make a significant change to this Notice, we will post a revised Notice before it becomes effective.

B. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS NOTICE, PLEASE CONTACT
DirectHealthDPC PLLC
Attn: Privacy Officer
8668 John Hickman Parkway, Suite 204
Frisco, Texas 75034
(945) 544-4248

C. WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR INDIVIDUALLY IDENTIFIABLE HEALTH INFORMATION (IIHI) IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS
The following categories describe the different ways in which we may use and disclose your IIHI:

1. Treatment. Our practice may use your IIHI to treat you. For example, we may ask you to have laboratory tests (such as blood or urine tests), and we may use the results to help us reach a diagnosis. We might use your IIHI in order to write a prescription for you, or we might disclose your IIHI to a pharmacy when we order a prescription for you. Our physician, along with any staff or contractors involved in your care, may use or disclose your IIHI in order to treat you or to assist others in your treatment. Additionally, we may disclose your IIHI to others who may assist in your care, such as other healthcare providers and, with your agreement, your spouse, your children or your parents.

2. Payment. Our practice may use and disclose your IIHI in order to bill and collect payment for the services and items you may receive from us. We will use or disclose only the minimum necessary information except where a broader use is required by law or for treatment. For example, we may use and disclose your IIHI to obtain payment from third parties that may be responsible for such costs, such as family members. Also, we may use your IIHI to bill you directly for services and items. If your membership is sponsored by your employer, we share with your employer only the information needed to enroll you and bill for your membership, such as your name and enrollment status. We do not share your health information with your employer without your written authorization, unless the law requires or permits it.

3. Health Care Operations. Our practice may use and disclose your IIHI to operate our business, but we will use or disclose only the minimum necessary information except where a broader use is required by law or for treatment. As examples of the ways in which we may use and disclose your information for our operations, our practice may use your IIHI to evaluate the quality of care you received from us, to develop protocols and clinical guidelines, to develop training programs, and to aid in credentialing, medical review, legal services and insurance. We will share information about you with such insurers or other business associates as necessary to obtain these services.

4. Appointment Reminders. Our practice may use and disclose your IIHI to contact you and remind you of an appointment.

5. Treatment Options. Our practice may use and disclose your IIHI to inform you of potential treatment options or alternatives.

6. Health-Related Benefits and Services. Our practice may use and disclose your IIHI to inform you of health-related benefits or services that may be of interest to you. You may opt-out of these communications by giving us notice.

7. Release of Information to Family/Friends. Our practice may release your IIHI to a friend or family member that is involved in your care, or who assists in taking care of you, but we will only share this information if you agree and authorize the disclosure.

8. Disclosures Required by Law. Our practice will use and disclose your IIHI when we are required to do so by federal, state, or local law.

D. NON-DISCLOSURE OF YOUR IIHI FOR MARKETING
We do not sell your health information. If we ever wish to do so or to use it for marketing purposes requiring authorization, we will first obtain your authorization.

E. USE AND DISCLOSURE OF YOUR IIHI IN CERTAIN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
The following categories describe unique scenarios in which we may use or disclose your identifiable health information:

1. Public Health Risks. Our practice may disclose your IIHI to public health authorities that are authorized by law to collect information for the purpose of:

  • maintaining vital records, such as births and deaths;

  • reporting child abuse or neglect;

  • preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability;

  • notifying a person regarding potential exposure to a communicable disease;

  • notifying a person regarding a potential risk for spreading or contracting a disease or condition;

  • reporting reactions to drugs or problems with products or devices;

  • notifying individuals if a product or device they may be using has been recalled;

  • notifying appropriate government agency(ies) and authority(ies) regarding the potential abuse or neglect of an adult patient (including domestic violence); however, we will only disclose this information if the patient agrees or we are required or authorized by law to disclose this information; or

  • notifying your employer under limited circumstances related primarily to workplace injury or illness or medical surveillance. Such disclosures occur only as authorized by law and, when required, after informing the individual.


2. Health Oversight Activities. Our practice may disclose your IIHI to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law. Oversight activities can include, for example, investigations, inspections, audits, surveys, licensure and disciplinary actions; civil, administrative, and criminal procedures or actions; or other activities necessary for the government to monitor government programs, compliance with civil rights laws and the health care system in general.

3. Lawsuits and Similar Proceedings. Our practice may use and disclose your IIHI in response to a court or administrative order if you are involved in a lawsuit or similar proceeding. We also may disclose your IIHI in response to a discovery request, subpoena, or other lawful process by another party involved in the dispute, but only if we have made an effort to inform you of the request or to obtain an order protecting the information the party has requested.

4. Law Enforcement. We may release IIHI if asked to do so by a law enforcement official:

  • regarding a crime victim in certain situations, if we are unable to obtain the person’s agreement;

  • concerning a death we believe has resulted from criminal conduct;

  • regarding criminal conduct at our offices;

  • in response to a warrant, summons, court order, subpoena or similar legal process;

  • to identify/locate a suspect, material witness, fugitive or missing person; or

  • in an emergency, to report a crime (including the location or victim(s) of the crime, or the description, identity or location of the perpetrator).


5. Deceased Patients. Our practice may release IIHI to a medical examiner or coroner to identify a deceased individual or to identify the cause of death. If necessary, we may also release information in order for funeral directors to perform their jobs.

6. Organ and Tissue Donation. Our practice may release your IIHI to organizations that handle organ, eye or tissue procurement or transplantation, including organ donation banks, as necessary to facilitate organ or tissue donation and transplantation if you are an organ donor.

7. Research. Our practice may use and disclose your IIHI for research purposes in certain limited circumstances. We will obtain your written authorization to use your IIHI for research purposes except when: (a) our use or disclosure was approved by an Institutional Review Board or a Privacy Board; (b) we obtain the written agreement of a researcher that (i) the information being sought is necessary for the research study; (ii) the use or disclosure of your IIHI is being used only for the research and (iii) the researcher will not remove any of your IIHI from our practice; or (c) the IIHI sought by the researcher only relates to decedents and the researcher agrees in writing that the use or disclosure is necessary for the research and, if we request it, to provide us with proof of death prior to access to the IIHI of the decedents.

8. Serious Threats to Health or Safety. Our practice may use and disclose your IIHI when necessary to reduce or prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of another individual or the public. Under these circumstances, we will only make disclosures to a person or organization able to help prevent the threat.

9. Military. Our practice may disclose your IIHI if you are a member of U.S. or foreign military forces (including veterans) and if required by the appropriate authorities.

10. National Security. Our practice may disclose your IIHI to federal officials for intelligence and national security activities authorized by law. We may also disclose your IIHI to federal officials in order to protect the President, other officials or foreign heads of state, or to conduct investigations.

11. Inmates. Our practice may disclose your IIHI to correctional institutions or law enforcement officials if you are an inmate or under the custody of a law enforcement official. Disclosure for these purposes would be necessary: (a) for the institution to provide health care services to you, (b) for the safety and security of the institution, and/ or (c) to protect your health and safety or the health and safety of other individuals.

12. Workers’ Compensation. Our practice may release your IIHI for workers’ compensation and similar programs, but only if required by law.

13. State Law Preemption. In some cases, state or other laws provide more protection for certain kinds of health information (for example, information about mental health, substance use disorder treatment, HIV status, or genetic testing). In addition, as required by Texas law, we are providing you notice that your protected health information may be subject to electronic disclosure. We will not electronically disclose your protected health information except as permitted or required by law or with your authorization.

F. YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR IIHI
The health and billing records we maintain are the physical property of DirectHealthDPC PLLC. The information in it, however, belongs to you. You have a right to:

1. Confidential Communications. You have the right to request that our practice communicate with you about your health and related issues in a particular manner or at a certain location. For instance, you may ask that we contact you at home, rather than work. In order to request a type of confidential communication, you must make a written request to the Privacy Officer, specifying the requested method of contact, or the location where you wish to be contacted. Our practice will accommodate reasonable requests. You do not need to give a reason for your request.

2. Requesting Restrictions. You have the right to request a restriction in our use or disclosure of your IIHI for treatment, payment or health care operations. Additionally, you have the right to request that we restrict our disclosure of your IIHI to only certain individuals involved in your care or the payment for your care, such as family members and friends. If you do not pay in full for a service out-of-pocket, we are not required to agree to your request; however, if we do agree, we are bound by our agreement except when otherwise required by law, in emergencies, or when the information is necessary to treat you. In order to request a restriction in our use or disclosure of your IIHI, you must make your request in writing to the Privacy Officer. Your request must describe in a clear and concise fashion:

a. the information you wish restricted;
b. whether you are requesting to limit our practice’s use, disclosure or both; and
c. to whom you want the limits to apply.

3. Self-Pay Restriction Right (HITECH). If you pay in full for a service out-of-pocket and ask us not to share information about that service with your health plan, we must agree to your request unless a law requires us to share that information.

4. Inspection and Copies. You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of the IIHI that may be used to make decisions about you, including patient medical records and billing records, but not including psychotherapy notes. You must submit your request in writing to the Privacy Officer in order to inspect and/or obtain a copy of your IIHI. If your information is maintained electronically, you may request an electronic copy in a reasonable electronic form and format. Our practice may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee permitted by law for the costs of copying, mailing, labor and supplies associated with your request. Our practice may deny your request to inspect and/or copy in certain limited circumstances; however, you may request a review of our denial. Another licensed health care professional chosen by us will conduct reviews.

5. Amendment. You may ask us to amend your health information if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete, and you may request an amendment for as long as the information is kept by or for our practice. To request an amendment, your request must be made in writing and submitted to the Privacy Officer. You must provide us with a reason that supports your request for amendment. Our practice will deny your request if you fail to submit your request (and the reason supporting your request) in writing. Also, we may deny your request if you ask us to amend information that is in our opinion: (a) accurate and complete; (b) not part of the IIHI kept by or for the practice; (c) not part of the IIHI which you would be permitted to inspect and copy; or (d) not created by our practice, unless the individual or entity that created is not available to amend the information.

6. Response to Requests. We will provide a copy of your electronic health record within 15 business days after we receive your written request, as required by Texas law. We will respond to amendment requests within the time frames required by law (generally 60 days, with one possible 30-day extension).

7. Accounting of Disclosures. All of our patients have the right to request an “accounting of disclosures.” An “accounting of disclosures” is a list of certain non-routine disclosures our practice has made of your IIHI for non-treatment or operations purposes. Use of your IIHI as part of the routine patient care in our practice is not required to be documented. For example, the doctor sharing information with the nurse. In order to obtain an accounting of disclosures, you must submit your request in writing to the Privacy Officer. All requests for an “accounting of disclosures” must state a time period, which may not be longer than six (6) years from the date of disclosure. The first list you request within a 12-month period is free of charge, but our practice may charge you for additional lists within the same 12-month period. Our practice will notify you of the costs involved with additional requests, and you may withdraw your request before you incur any costs.

8. Right to a Paper Copy of this Notice. You are entitled to receive a paper copy of our notice of privacy practices. You may ask us to give you a copy of this notice at any time. To obtain a paper copy of this notice, contact the Privacy Officer.

9. Right to File a Complaint. If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us in writing, by phone, or in person. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint. You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. For more information, visit ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/cp or call 1‑800‑368‑1019. To file a complaint with our practice, contact:

DirectHealthDPC PLLC
Attn: Privacy Officer
8668 John Hickman Parkway, Suite 204
Frisco, Texas 75034
(945) 544-4248

10. Right to Provide an Authorization for Other Uses and Disclosures. Our practice will obtain your written authorization for uses and disclosures that are not identified by this notice or permitted by applicable law. Examples of uses and disclosures that generally require your written authorization include: most uses of psychotherapy notes, certain marketing communications, and any sale of your health information. Any authorization you provide to us regarding the use and disclosure of your IIHI may be revoked at any time in writing. After you revoke your authorization, we will no longer use or disclose your IIHI for the reasons described in the authorization. Your revocation will not affect any uses or disclosures that we have already made in reliance on your authorization. Please note: we are required to retain records of your care.

Again, if you have questions regarding this notice or our health information privacy policies, please contact the Privacy Officer listed above.

Privacy Policy Explanation
At DirectHealthDPC PLLC, your privacy matters to us. We understand that your health information is deeply personal, and we’re committed to protecting it while ensuring it’s available when you and your clinicians need it. This guide highlights the key points of our privacy policy—formally called our Notice of Privacy Practices—so you’ll know exactly how your information is used, shared, and protected, and what rights you have as a member.

How We Use and Share Your Health Information
We use your health information to give you excellent care. This includes diagnosing and treating illness, coordinating your care with other professionals, ordering tests or prescriptions, and following up on your progress. We may also use your information to manage clinic operations, such as quality improvement, staff training, and record keeping. If applicable, we may use it for billing or administrative purposes. DirectHealthDPC PLLC will only share the minimum necessary information to perform these functions. Your information may also be shared—with your consent or as permitted by law—with trusted professionals involved in your care, such as labs, pharmacies, or specialists. If your employer sponsors your membership, we share only what is needed for enrollment and billing, never your health information without your written permission unless the law requires it.

Special Situations Where Information May Be Shared
In certain cases, we may share information without your written authorization when required or permitted by law.

Examples include:

  • Reporting communicable diseases or reactions to medications.

  • Responding to legal requests such as subpoenas or court orders.

  • Working with health oversight agencies (for example, audits or compliance reviews).

  • Reporting suspected abuse or neglect.

  • Responding to law enforcement requests or emergencies involving public safety.

  • Assisting with organ donation, medical research (under strict conditions), or workers’ compensation programs.


Outside of these limited cases, we will always ask your permission before sharing your health information.

Your Rights as a Member
You have important rights when it comes to your health information:

  • Access and Copies: You can request a copy of your medical records or ask that they be sent to another provider.

  • Amendments: You can ask us to correct or add to information you believe is incomplete or inaccurate.

  • Restrictions: You can request limits on how we share your information or who can access it.

  • Confidential Communications: You can ask us to contact you in a specific way—such as by phone, email, or secure text—or at a specific location.

  • Accounting of Disclosures: You can request a list of certain disclosures we’ve made that weren’t related to treatment, payment, or clinic operations.

  • Authorization for Other Uses: We will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your information for purposes not described in this notice, and you may revoke that authorization at any time.

  • Paper Copies: You can request a printed copy of our full privacy notice at any time.


If you’d like to exercise any of these rights, simply contact our Privacy Officer—we’ll walk you through the process.

How We Protect Your Information
We take your privacy seriously. We maintain appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your information, in accordance with applicable law. Only clinicians and staff directly involved in your care or clinic operations can access your records. We use reasonable safeguards to protect your information as required by law. However, like all organizations that use electronic systems, we cannot guarantee absolute security in every circumstance.

If You Have Concerns or Questions
If you ever have questions about how your information is handled—or believe your privacy rights have been violated—you can contact our Privacy Officer directly:

DirectHealthDPC PLLC
Attn: Privacy Officer
8668 John Hickman Parkway, Suite 204
Frisco, Texas 75034
(945) 544-4248

You can also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You will never be penalized for filing a complaint.

You can request the full Notice of Privacy Practices at any time by contacting our office or visiting our website.

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