Privacy Policy

NOTICE OF HIPAA PRIVACY PRACTICES

The Clinical Skin Center of No. VA, PLLC
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: January 1, 2026 Reviewed Annually
Privacy Officer: Dr. Stashower Phone:703-620-8900
Address: 3700 Joseph Siewick Dr #404, Fairfax, VA 20124
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OUR LEGAL DUTY
The Clinical Skin Center of No. VA, PLLC (“the Practice”) is required by law to maintain the privacy of your protected health information (PHI), to provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices, and to follow the terms of this Notice currently in effect.
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HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
The following categories describe different ways we may use and disclose your health information without your written authorization.
Treatment
We may use and disclose your health information to provide, coordinate, or manage your medical care. This includes sharing information with physicians, nurses, medical assistants, laboratories, pharmacies, and other healthcare professionals involved in your care.
Payment
We may use and disclose your health information to bill and collect payment for services provided to you. This may include disclosures to insurance companies, Medicare, Medicaid, or other third-party payers.
Healthcare Operations
We may use and disclose your health information for practice operations, including quality assessment, training, credentialing, compliance, audits, business management, and administrative activities.
Appointment Reminders and Communications
We may contact you to remind you of appointments, provide follow-up instructions, discuss test results, billing matters, or communicate information related to your care by phone, voicemail, text message, email, patient portal, or mail unless you request otherwise. These communications may include unencrypted electronic communications. You may request alternative or confidential methods of communication at any time.
Individuals Involved in Your Care
We may disclose health information to family members, friends, or others involved in your care or payment for your care, unless you object.
Required by Law
We may disclose your health information when required to do so by federal, state, or local law.
Public Health and Safety
We may disclose health information for public health activities, reporting abuse or neglect, health oversight activities, judicial or administrative proceedings, law enforcement purposes, and to prevent a serious threat to health or safety.
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VIRGINIA-SPECIFIC PRIVACY RIGHTS
In addition to rights provided under federal HIPAA law, Virginia law may provide additional protections for certain types of health information, including but not limited to mental health records, substance use disorder treatment records, and HIV-related information. The Practice complies with applicable provisions of the Virginia Health Records Privacy statutes and other relevant state laws. Where Virginia law provides greater privacy protections than federal law, the Practice will follow Virginia law.
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USES AND DISCLOSURES THAT REQUIRE YOUR AUTHORIZATION
Certain uses and disclosures of your health information require your written authorization, including: – Marketing purposes (with limited exceptions) – Sale of health information – Uses not otherwise described in this Notice
You may revoke your authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent that action has already been taken.
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TELEHEALTH AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
The Practice may provide telehealth services and communicate with patients using electronic means, including video conferencing platforms, patient portals, text messaging, and email. While the Practice takes reasonable steps to protect the privacy and security of electronic communications, there are inherent risks associated with electronic transmission of information. By participating in telehealth services or electronic communications, you acknowledge and accept these risks. You may opt out of electronic communications and request alternative methods at any time.
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PHOTOGRAPHY AND CLINICAL IMAGES
The Practice may take clinical photographs or videos as part of your medical record for purposes of diagnosis, treatment, documentation, education, or healthcare operations. These images are considered protected health information and are maintained in accordance with HIPAA and applicable Virginia law. Any use of images for purposes outside of treatment, payment, or healthcare operations (such as marketing or publication) will require your separate written authorization.
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YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
You have the right to:
Right to Inspect and Copy
You may request access to or copies of your medical records, subject to certain limitations and fees permitted by law.
Right to Request Amendments
You may request corrections or amendments to your medical record if you believe the information is incorrect or incomplete.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You may request a list of certain disclosures of your health information.
Right to Request Restrictions
You may request restrictions on how your health information is used or disclosed. We are not required to agree to all requests.
Right to Request Confidential Communications
You may request that we communicate with you in a specific manner or at a specific location.
Right to Receive a Paper Copy
You have the right to receive a paper copy of this Notice upon request, even if you have received it electronically.
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COMPLAINTS
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with the Practice or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.
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CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE
We reserve the right to change the terms of this Notice. Any changes will apply to all health information we maintain and will be made available in our office and on our website, if applicable.