Privacy Policy
Introduction
Shore Pine Psychiatry PLLC ("Company," "we," "our," or "us") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting it through this policy. This policy describes the types of information we may collect from you or that you may provide when you visit our website www.shorepinepsychiatry.com (the "Website") and our practices for collecting, using, maintaining, protecting, and disclosing that information.
This policy applies to information we collect:
On this Website
In email, text, portal messages, and other electronic communications between you and Shore Pine Psychiatry
This policy does not apply to information collected by third parties, including any external websites linked from our Website (for example, the U.S. government No Surprises Act page).
Given the sensitive nature of mental health and medical information, please read this policy carefully to understand our practices regarding your information and how we will treat it.
If you do not agree with our policies and practices, your choice is not to use our Website. By accessing or using this Website, you agree to this Privacy Policy.
This policy may change from time to time. Continued use of the Website after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of those changes.
Information We Collect About You and How We Collect It
We may collect the following types of information from and about users of our Website:
Personal Information
Information by which you may be personally identified, including but not limited to:
Name
Email address
Telephone number
Any other information you voluntarily provide through forms on the Website
We collect this information only when you voluntarily submit it through:
New patient inquiry forms
Contact forms
Email or portal messages
No information is collected automatically from your device, and we do not use cookies, tracking technologies, or collect IP addresses or browser information on the main Website.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
While our Website does not use cookies for tracking or marketing, our patient portal is hosted through Tebra, a HIPAA-compliant platform. Tebra may set the following types of cookies strictly for security and functionality:
Session cookies – to keep your portal session active while you are logged in
Security cookies – to prevent unauthorized access and protect your account
Tebra does not use cookies for marketing purposes or track patients across unrelated websites, in order to protect your Protected Health Information (PHI). By using the patient portal, you consent to these necessary cookies for secure and functional access.
Protected Health Information (PHI)
As a healthcare provider, Shore Pine Psychiatry PLLC is required by law to maintain the privacy of Protected Health Information (PHI) and to provide notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to PHI.
PHI includes information about you that may identify you and that relates to your past, present, or future:
Physical or mental health condition
Healthcare services provided
Payment for healthcare services
Information submitted through this Website does not create a patient-provider relationship and should not include detailed medical information.
If you become a patient of Shore Pine Psychiatry, your PHI will be protected and handled in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and our Notice of Privacy Practices, which will be provided before clinical services begin.
PHI may be used or disclosed as permitted by law for purposes such as:
Treatment, including coordination of care with other healthcare providers or pharmacies
Payment, including insurance billing, prior authorizations, or verification of benefits
Healthcare operations, including quality assurance, administrative functions, and compliance
With your written authorization, for other purposes not related to treatment, payment, or operations
How We Use Your Information
We use information that we collect about you or that you provide to us for purposes including:
To respond to inquiries or appointment requests
To provide information about services you request
To communicate with you regarding scheduling or practice updates
To provide psychiatric evaluation, therapy, or medication management services
To coordinate care with pharmacies, other healthcare providers, or insurers as needed for treatment and medication management
To fulfill administrative obligations such as billing, documentation, and insurance verification
For any other purpose with your consent
Disclosure of Your Information
We do not sell or rent personal information.
Information may be disclosed:
To healthcare technology vendors that support our operations (such as electronic health record or telehealth platforms), when required to provide services
To pharmacies, insurance companies, or other healthcare providers as necessary to coordinate your care or process claims
To comply with legal obligations or lawful requests by public authorities
To enforce our rights or protect the safety of our practice, patients, or others
All vendors handling protected health information are required to comply with HIPAA regulations.
Third-Party Links
Our Website contains only one third-party link: an explanation of the U.S. government No Surprises Act. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of that website and encourage you to review its privacy policy before providing information.
Data Security
We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal and health information from unauthorized access, use, alteration, or disclosure.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. When changes are made, the "Last updated" date at the top of the page will be revised.
Contact Information
To ask questions or comment about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us.