Atlanta Bone and Joint Specialists Privacy Policy​

Privacy PolicyEffective Date: 01/01/2025
Practice Name: Atlanta Bone and Joint Specialists
Website: https://www.atlantaboneandjoint.com
[Atlanta Bone and Joint Specialists respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information through our website, online forms, appointment request tools, marketing pages, and related digital services.
This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through our website and online interactions. Medical information that identifies you and is created, received, maintained, or transmitted by our practice may also be protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, commonly known as HIPAA. Our use and disclosure of protected health information is described in our separate Notice of Privacy Practices.
1. Information We CollectWe may collect information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Phone number
• Email address
• Mailing address
• Insurance information
• Referring provider information
• Appointment preferences
• Reason for visit or area of orthopaedic concern
• Information submitted through contact forms, appointment request forms, lead forms, or patient intake forms

We may also collect certain information automatically when you visit our website, including:

• IP address
• Browser type
• Device type
• Pages visited
• Referring website
• Date and time of visit
• General location information
• Interactions with advertisements, links, or forms

2. How We Use Your InformationWe may use the information we collect to:

• Respond to appointment requests or questions
• Schedule, confirm, or follow up on appointments
• Provide orthopaedic care and related services
• Communicate with you about your care, referrals, or administrative matters
• Verify insurance or billing information
• Improve our website, patient experience, and services
• Analyze website traffic and marketing performance
• Send educational or practice-related communications, where permitted
• Comply with legal, regulatory, and professional obligations

We do not sell your protected health information.
3. Health Information and HIPAAAs a medical practice, we may collect information that relates to your health or medical care. When this information qualifies as protected health information under HIPAA, we will use and disclose it only as permitted or required by law and as described in our Notice of Privacy Practices.
Your HIPAA rights may include the right to access your medical records, request corrections, request restrictions, request confidential communications, receive an accounting of certain disclosures, and file a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. HHS describes the HIPAA Privacy Rule as protecting personal health information and giving patients rights regarding their information.
To request a copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices, please contact us using the information below.
4. Online Forms and Email CommunicationsPlease do not submit emergency medical concerns through our website, contact forms, email, or online lead forms. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Although we take reasonable steps to protect information submitted through our website, standard email and some web forms may not be fully secure. You should avoid sending highly sensitive medical information through unsecured email unless specifically instructed by our office.
5. Cookies, Analytics, and Advertising TechnologiesOur website may use cookies, pixels, analytics tools, call-tracking tools, or similar technologies to understand how visitors use our website and to improve our advertising and marketing.
These tools may collect information such as your device type, pages visited, search terms, referring website, or interactions with our ads. We may use third-party services such as Google Analytics, Google Ads, Meta/Facebook advertising tools, or similar platforms.
We do not intentionally use these technologies to disclose protected health information for advertising purposes. However, health care websites should be careful with tracking technologies and marketing tools because regulators have scrutinized the sharing of health-related information with advertising platforms. The FTC has brought enforcement actions involving digital health data shared for advertising, including GoodRx and BetterHelp matters.
You can often manage cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect some website functionality.
6. Sharing of InformationWe may share information with:

• Physicians, clinical staff, and members of our workforce
• Hospitals, surgery centers, imaging centers, laboratories, pharmacies, physical therapy providers, or other health care providers involved in your care
• Billing companies, insurance companies, clearinghouses, and payment processors
• Vendors who help us operate our website, scheduling systems, marketing tools, patient communication systems, or electronic medical record systems
• Legal, regulatory, or governmental authorities when required or permitted by law
• Other parties with your authorization or as otherwise permitted by law

We require vendors who handle protected health information on our behalf to agree to appropriate privacy and security obligations when required by HIPAA.
7. Text Messages and Phone CallsIf you provide your phone number, we may contact you by phone or text message regarding appointments, scheduling, forms, reminders, billing, care coordination, or follow-up.
Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out of non-essential text messages by following the instructions provided in the message or by contacting our office. Opting out of certain communications may affect our ability to communicate with you efficiently.
8. Data SecurityWe use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information. However, no website, email system, or electronic transmission is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of information transmitted through our website or online services.
9. Data RetentionWe retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to provide services, operate our practice, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, maintain business records, and enforce our agreements.
Medical records are retained according to applicable federal and state laws and professional requirements.
10. Children’s PrivacyOur website is intended for a general audience and is not directed specifically to children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children through our website without appropriate consent. If you believe a child has submitted information through our website without authorization, please contact us.
11. Links to Third-Party WebsitesOur website may include links to third-party websites, such as patient portals, payment processors, hospitals, surgery centers, social media platforms, or educational resources. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites. You should review the privacy policies of those websites before providing information.
12. Your ChoicesYou may contact us to:

• Update your contact information
• Ask questions about this Privacy Policy
• Request information about our privacy practices
• Opt out of certain marketing communications
• Request a copy of our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

For requests involving medical records or protected health information, we may need to verify your identity before responding.
13. Changes to This Privacy PolicyWe may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will be posted on our website with a new effective date. Your continued use of our website after changes are posted means you accept the updated Privacy Policy.
14. Contact UsIf you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact:
Atlanta Bone and Joint Specialists
Address: 2801 N. Decatur Rd Suite 200 Decatur GA 30033
Phone: 4042965005
Privacy Officer: Brian P
If you believe your HIPAA privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our office or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.