This Privacy Policy applies to your use of the website located at www.tgmdental.net (the “website”). By using the website, you are agreeing to abide by the terms and conditions of the Terms of Use and this website Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the Terms of Use or this website Privacy policy, please immediately discontinue use of the website.
Privacy Pledge:
TGM Dental does not disclose personal medical information and ensures that its practices and standards comply with HIPAA and other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. TGM Dental will work with appropriate regulatory and accreditation agencies to ensure consistency between company policies and HIPAA. In addition, when there is a difference between state and federal regulations, we will always uphold the privacy standard that provides the most protection.
Anonymous Website Traffic Data:
Whenever you access any website, your web browser transmits some information to the server hosting the website. We may automatically collect, track and log this anonymous traffic data when you use the website. “Anonymous traffic data” means information that does not personally identify you. For example, we may collect information concerning the number of visitors to our website each day, what time of day visitors access our website, which pages these visitors view, which Internet service providers (ISPs) these visitors use and what search terms visitors use with our website’s search feature. We are not able to tie any of this information to specific individuals. Anonymous traffic data is helpful for marketing, improving, administering and analyzing usage of the website.
Website Cookies
“Cookies” are encrypted strings of text that a website stores on a user’s computer. Our website uses cookies throughout the online process to keep together information entered on multiple pages. For example, cookies enable our website to “remember” information provided to us. In addition, cookies are used to:
- Measure usage of various pages on our website to help us make our information more pertinent to your needs and easy for you to access; and
- Provide functionality such, as online appointment scheduling, bill paying and other functionality that may be of interest and value to you.
The two types of cookies used are referred to as “session” cookies and “persistent” cookies. Session cookies are temporary and are automatically deleted once you leave our website. Persistent cookies remain on your computer hard drive until you delete them. We do not use cookies to gather any personally identifiable information about you apart from what you voluntarily provide us. Our cookies do not corrupt or damage your computer, programs or computer files. You may set your browser to block cookies.
Personal Information Received:
We may receive personal medical and financial information about patients from the following sources:
- Applications, consents, authorizations and other forms provided by you, or your authorized representative;
- Documentation collected during your care (test results, physician orders, etc.);
- Billing and payment transactions (such as claims submission with insurance companies and payment) with us, our affiliates or others; and
- Outside sources pertaining to your care or coverage, such as health care providers, insurance companies and federal and state agencies.
Information Protection:
Our policy restricts access of your personal information to employees who have a need to know, as permitted by law. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with legal requirements to protect your non-public personal medical and financial information. TGM Dental has undertaken an initiative to educate its officers, employees, volunteers and others about HIPAA compliance. This training includes an annual refresher course in privacy and confidentiality.
Use of Individually Identifiable Health Information:
We use medical and financial information to provide and facilitate treatment, collect payment for services and conduct health care operations. TGM Dental may, as permitted by law, make discretionary public health disclosures of protected health information if, in its judgment, public safety is believed to be at risk. TGM Dental may use medical and financial data for purposes of contacting you to provide information about health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you. We may use or disclose your health information to provide you with appointment reminders (such as voicemail, text messages, postcards, or letters). We will not use your health information for marketing communications without your written authorization.