premierhand

Hand to Shoulder, Hip, Knee ,Pain & SPine

Flossmoor, Illinois

(708) 957-0505
24 Hours a Day 7 Days a Week

(708) 957-0505
24 Hours a Day 7 Days a Week
Premier Orthopaedic Hand Center Flossmoore Illinois

Hand to Shoulder, Hip, Knee ,Pain & SPine

Flossmoor, Illinois

Premier Orthopaedic and Hand Center, SC
Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 05/08/26

At Premier Orthopaedic and Hand Center, SC (“we,” “our,” or “us”), we are dedicated to protecting the privacy and security of your personal and health information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information, including our management of SMS/text messaging communications, in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), and applicable Illinois state laws.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect and maintain the following categories of information:

  • Personal Information: Full name, date of birth, phone number, email address, and home address.
  • Protected Health Information (PHI): Medical history, diagnoses, hand and orthopaedic treatment plans, imaging (X-rays/MRIs), surgical records, and prescription details.
  • Insurance & Billing: Insurance provider details, policy numbers, and billing history.
  • Technical Information: IP address, device type, and website usage data collected via cookies to improve our digital services.

2. How We Use Your Information

Your information is used primarily to ensure you receive high-quality specialized care:

  • Providing orthopaedic and pain management specific medical treatment.
  • Scheduling, confirming, and managing your appointments.
  • Processing insurance claims and patient billing.
  • Communicating vital healthcare updates or instructions.
  • Meeting legal, regulatory, and health oversight requirements.

3. SMS/Text Messaging Consent

By providing your mobile phone number, you explicitly consent to receive text messages (SMS) from Premier Orthopaedic and Hand Center, SC for the following healthcare purposes:

  • Reminders: Appointment confirmations and rescheduling alerts.
  • Clinical Instructions: Pre-operative or post-visit care instructions.
  • Results: Notifications regarding test results or the availability of imaging reports.
  • Practice Updates: Emergency office closures or general health notifications.

Your Rights & Responsibilities:

  • Voluntary Consent: You are not required to opt in to receive medical care.
  • Opting Out: You may opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message. Reply HELP for assistance.
  • Security Notice: Standard SMS is not a 100% secure communication method. We will use secure patient portals or direct phone calls for highly sensitive clinical data.
  • No Third-Party Marketing: We do not share your mobile number or SMS consent with third parties for marketing or promotional purposes.

4. How We Protect Your Data

We implement rigorous physical, technical, and administrative safeguards:

  • HIPAA-Compliant Storage: Secure electronic health record (EHR) systems.
  • Data Encryption: All sensitive data is encrypted both at rest and during transmission.
  • Employee Access: Access to PHI is restricted to authorized personnel only.
  • Vendor Compliance: We maintain Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) with all third-party service providers to ensure they meet HIPAA standards.

5. Data Breach Notification

In the unlikely event of a breach involving your PHI:

  • We will notify you in writing within 60 days of discovery.
  • The notice will include details of the incident, the types of information involved, and steps you should take to protect yourself.
  • For breaches affecting more than 500 individuals, we will notify the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and local media as required by law.

6. Disclosures of PHI

We may disclose your PHI without your written authorization for Treatment, Payment, and Healthcare Operations (TPO). Other disclosures may occur for:

  • Public Health Safety: Reporting infectious diseases or preventing injury.
  • Legal Compliance: Responding to court orders, subpoenas, or law enforcement requests.
  • Special Protections: In accordance with Illinois law, extra protections apply to sensitive records (e.g., genetic testing or specific behavioral health data).

7. Your Rights Under HIPAA & Illinois Law

You have the following rights regarding your information:

  • Right to Inspect/Copy: Request a copy of your medical and billing records.
  • Right to Amend: Request a correction if you believe your information is inaccurate.
  • Right to Restrictions: Request that we limit how we use or share your PHI.
  • Right to Confidential Communications: Request that we contact you at a specific phone number or address.

8. Data Retention & Cookies

  • Retention: We retain medical records in accordance with Illinois state statutes and federal law, after which they are securely destroyed.
  • Website Cookies: Our website uses cookies to improve user experience. No PHI is collected via these cookies; sensitive data is only accepted through our secure patient portal.

9. Contact Us

For questions regarding this policy, to file a formal complaint, or to exercise your privacy rights, please contact our privacy officer:

Premier Orthopaedic and Hand Center, SC
19801 Governors Hwy, Ste 160 Flossmoor, IL 60422
Phone: 708-957-0505 Website: www.premierhand.com