Privacy Policy

What Information Do We Collect While Using Our Website?
We collect personal information when you interact with our site, such as when you chat with us, subscribe to our newsletter, respond to a survey, or complete a form.

When chatting with our website, you may be asked to provide details such as your name, email address, mailing address, and phone number. However, you can also browse our site anonymously.

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How Do We Use Your Information?
The information we collect from you may be used in the following ways:

• To Respond to Your Inquiry:
  Your personal information will never be sold, exchanged, or shared with third parties, except as necessary to complete a transaction or provide services you have requested.

• To Send Periodic Emails:
  The email address you provide may be used to send updates related to your order or to respond to inquiries. 

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How Do We Protect Your Information?
We implement various security measures to ensure the safety of your personal data when you place an order or access your information on our website.

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Do We Share Your Information with Third Parties?
We do not sell, trade, or transfer your personally identifiable information to third parties, except for trusted service providers who assist in operating our website, conducting business, or serving you. These third parties are required to maintain confidentiality. Consumer information is not shared with third-parties for marketing purposes. We may also share your information when legally required to do so, to enforce site policies, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of others. Non-personally identifiable information may be shared with third parties for marketing, advertising, or other purposes.

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Third-Party Links
From time to time, we may link to third-party products or services on our website. These third-party sites have their own privacy policies, and we are not responsible for their content or activities. We encourage you to review their privacy practices.

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California Online Privacy Protection Act Compliance
We comply with the California Online Privacy Protection Act and will not share your personal information with third parties without your consent.

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Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act Compliance
In accordance with COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act), we do not collect personal information from children under 13 years of age. Our website is intended for users 13 years or older.

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Your Consent
By using our website, you consent to the terms of this privacy policy.

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Treatment, Payment, and Health Care Operations Within Our Office

The most common reasons we would use or disclose your health information is for treatment, payment, or business operations. We routinely use and disclose your medical information within the office on a daily basis. We do not need specific permission to use or disclose your medical information in the following matters, although you have the right to request that we do not.

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Examples of how we might use or disclose health information for treatment purposes might include:

• Setting up or changing appointments including leaving messages containing no information about your personal health information with those at your home or office who may answer the phone or leaving messages on answering machines, voice mails, text or email;

• Calling your first name out in a reception room environment;

• Prescribing glasses, contact lenses, or medications as well as relaying this information to suppliers by phone, fax or other electronic means including initial prescriptions and requests from suppliers for refills;

• Notifying you that your ophthalmic goods are ready, including leaving messages containing no personal health information with those at your home or office who may answer the phone, or leaving messages on answering machines, voice mails, text or emails;

• Referring you to another doctor for care not provided by this office;

• Obtaining copies of health information from doctors you have seen before us; discussing your care with you directly or with family or friends you have inferred or agreed may listen to information about your health;

• Sending you postcards or letters or leaving messages containing no personal health information with those at your home who may answer the phone or on answering machines, voice mails, text or emails reminding you it is time for continued care;

• At your request, we can provide you with a copy of your medical records via secured fax, secured email, secured patient portal, or printed copies delivered in person or through the US mail. A printed copy may require payment for the paper and postage cost. 

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Examples of how we might use or disclose health information for payment purposes might include:

• Asking you about your vision or medical insurance plans or other sources of payment.

• Preparing and sending bills to your insurance provider or to you.

• Providing any information required by third party payors in order to ensure payment for services rendered to you.

• Sending notices of payment due on your account to the person designated as responsible party or head of household on your account with fee explanations that could include procedures performed and for what diagnosis: collecting unpaid balances either ourselves or through a collection agency, attorney, or district attorney's office.

• At the patient's request we may not disclose to a health plan or health care operation information related to care that you have paid for out of pocket. This only applies to those encounters related to the care you want restricted and only to the extent a disclosure is not otherwise required by law.

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Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

• The law gives you many rights regarding your personal health information.

• You may ask us to restrict our uses and disclosures for purposes of treatment (except in emergency care), payment, or business operations. This request must be made in writing to Oak City Vision Center OD PLLC. We do not have to agree to your request, but if we agree, must honor the restrictions you ask for.

• You may ask us to communicate with you in a confidential manner. Examples might be only contacting you by telephone at your home or using some special email address. We may accommodate these requests if they are reasonable and if you agree to pay any additional cost, if any, incurred in accommodating your request. Requests for special communication requests must be made to Oak City Vision Center OD PLLC in writing.

• You may ask to review or get copies of your health information. For the most part we are happy to provide you with the opportunity to either review or obtain a copy of your medical information, but rare situations may restrict release of the information. In such cases we will provide you such denial in writing. Another licensed health care practitioner chosen by Oak City Vision Center OD PLLC may review your request and your denial. In such cases we will abide by the outcome of that review. We ask that requests for review or copy of medical information be made in writing to Oak City Vision Center OD PLLC, but this is not a requirement. While we usually respond to these requests within three (3) business days, by law we have a short period of time specified by State or Federal law to respond to your request. We may request an additional extension of time in certain situations.

• Health care information you request copies of may be delivered to you in the format you request. The e-formats EOak City Vision Center OD PLLC has approved include secure email, an authorized Electronic Health Information system and media supplied by Oak City Vision Center OD PLLC

• You may ask us to amend or change your health care information if you think it is incorrect or incomplete. If we agree, we will make the amendment to your medical record within thirty (30) days of your written request for change sent to the office named at the beginning of this Notice. We will then send the corrected information to you or any other individual you feel needs a copy of the corrected information. If we do not agree, you will be notified in writing of our decision. You may then write a statement of your position and we will include it in your medical record along with any rebuttal statement we may wish to include.

• You may request a list of any non-routine disclosures of your health information that we might have made within the past six (6) years. Routine disclosures would include those used your treatment, payment, and business operations of Oak City Vision Center OD PLLC. These routine disclosures will not be included in your list of disclosures. You are entitled to one such list per year without charge. If you want more frequent lists, you must pay for them in advance at a fee of $200 per list. We will usually respond to your written request (made to Oak City Vision Center OD PLLC) within thirty (30) days but we are allowed one thirty (30) day extension if we need the time to complete your request.

• You may obtain additional copies of this Notice of Privacy Practices from our business office or online at our website address shown at the beginning of this Notice.

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Breach Notification Policy

In the event of a reportable breach of patient information, Oak City Vision Center OD PLLC agrees to abide by the breach notification requirements as established by the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule or specific State requirement. If a breach occurs, Oak City Vision Center OD PLLC will take all necessary steps to remain in compliance with this rule including as applicable notification of individuals, Business Associates, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and prominent media outlets.

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Whistleblower Protection Rule

Oak City Vision Center OD PLLC will take no action against any individual who provides information to the Office of Civil Rights, Office of the Inspector General or individual state Attorney General's Office regarding concerns related to the privacy and security procedures or actions at Oak City Vision Center OD PLLC.

 

Complaints

If you think that anyone at Oak City Vision Center OD PLLC has not respected the privacy of your health information, we encourage you to discuss your concerns with us. We request you submit your concerns in writing. We are more than happy to try to resolve any concern you may have. We want to resolve your concerns but you may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights or the state Attorney General's Office. We will not retaliate against you if you make such a complaint.

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Terms & Conditions for Oak City Vision Center OD PLLC – SMS Messaging Disclosure

Effective Date: December 1, 2024

By providing your phone number and opting in to receive text messages, you consent to receive SMS messages from Oak City Vision Center OD PLLC ("we", "our", "us") regarding your eye care and appointments. The following outlines the terms and conditions for SMS communication with our patients.

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1. Types of Messages You Can Expect to Receive

We may send you text messages for the following purposes:

 -  Appointment Reminders: Texts regarding upcoming appointments to ensure you are prepared.

 -  Appointment Communications: Updates on appointment status, including confirmations, cancellations, or rescheduling.

 -  Order Status Updates: Information regarding the status of your glasses or contact lens orders.

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2. Texting Cadence

The frequency of our text messages may vary depending on your upcoming appointments or the status of your orders. For example:

 -  Appointment reminders will be sent approximately 24-48 hours prior to your appointment.

 -  Order status updates may be sent when there are changes or progress regarding your glasses or contact lenses.

 -  Additional texts may be sent if you or we need to confirm, cancel, or reschedule an appointment.

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3. Message and Data Rates

Message and data rates may apply to text messages you receive from us. These rates will depend on your mobile phone carrier and your mobile plan. Please check with your carrier for details regarding your text messaging and data rates.

 

4. Privacy Policy

We are committed to protecting your privacy. Our collection, use, and storage of personal data are governed by our Privacy Policy. By using our services, you agree to the terms outlined in the Privacy Policy. Consumer information is not shared with third-parties for marketing purposes.

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5. Opt-Out Instructions

You have the option to opt-out of receiving text messages at any time. To stop receiving SMS messages from Oak City Vision Center OD PLLC, reply to any of our text messages with the word "STOP". After opting out, you will no longer receive SMS updates from us unless you re-subscribe. Standard messaging rates may apply to opt-out requests. *Please note: you may miss appointment reminders and confirmation requests by opting out.

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6. Consent to Receive Text Messages

By submitting your phone number and opting into our SMS service, you acknowledge that you are the authorized user of the mobile phone number provided and that you consent to receive SMS communications from Oak City Vision Center OD PLLC for the purposes listed above. You may withdraw your consent at any time by following the opt-out instructions above.

 

7. Changes to SMS Terms

We reserve the right to modify or update these SMS terms at any time. Any changes will be posted on our website with an updated effective date. Your continued use of our SMS service after such updates constitutes your acceptance of the revised terms.

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If you have any questions about our SMS communication practices, please contact us at (919) 341-4688.

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Changes to Our Privacy Policy
If we update our privacy policy, we will post the changes on this page.

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Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding this privacy policy, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Oak City Vision Center OD PLLC  |  (919) 341-4688  |  info@oakcityvision.com