Notice of Privacy Practices

Seed Acupuncture, Inc.
Effective Date: October 1, 2025

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

At Seed Acupuncture, we are committed to protecting your privacy and safeguarding your health information. This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how we may use and disclose your protected health information (PHI) to carry out treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, and for other purposes permitted or required by law. It also describes your rights regarding your health information.

Our Legal Responsibilities

We are required by law to:

  • Maintain the privacy of your protected health information

  • Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices

  • Follow the terms of this Notice currently in effect

  • Notify you if we are unable to agree to a requested restriction

  • Notify you in the event of a breach involving your health information

How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information

For Treatment:

We may use or disclose your health information to provide you with medical care and coordinate your treatment with other providers.
Example: We may share your information with other licensed healthcare professionals involved in your care.

For Payment:

We may use and disclose your health information to bill and collect payment for services rendered.
Example: We may send claims to your insurance company or discuss billing information with you.

For Healthcare Operations:

We may use or disclose your health information for operational purposes such as quality assurance and internal staff training.
Example: Reviewing treatment outcomes to improve clinical effectiveness.

Other Disclosures Without Your Authorization

We may also use or disclose your health information without your written authorization in the following situations:

  • Public health reporting (e.g., disease prevention, vital statistics)

  • Health oversight activities (e.g., audits, licensure)

  • Judicial and administrative proceedings (with court order)

  • Law enforcement (under certain conditions)

  • To prevent or lessen a serious threat to health or safety

  • As otherwise required by state or federal law

Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization

For most other uses and disclosures—including the release of psychotherapy notes, marketing communications, or the sale of health information—we will obtain your written authorization. You may revoke this authorization at any time in writing. This revocation will not apply to any uses or disclosures made prior to the revocation.

Electronic Communications and Telehealth

If you choose to communicate with us via email, online forms, or video conferencing, please be aware that these methods may not be fully secure. We take reasonable precautions to protect your information, and by using these services, you acknowledge and accept the associated risks.

Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

You have the right to:

  • Inspect and request a copy of your health records

  • Request amendments to your records if you believe they are incorrect or incomplete

  • Request an accounting of disclosures made outside of treatment, payment, or operations

  • Request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures (though we are not required to agree)

  • Request confidential communications in a specific manner (e.g., no voicemail, specific phone number)

  • Receive a paper copy of this Notice at any time

Record Retention

We retain your health records for a minimum of seven (7) years, as required by California law and professional standards.

Changes to This Notice

We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and this Notice at any time. The revised Notice will apply to all health information we maintain. The most current version will be available in our clinic and on our website.

Questions or Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our office or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.

To file a complaint or ask a question, contact:
Morgan Hartley, L.Ac.
Seed Acupuncture, Inc.
1011 Devonshire Dr., Suite B
Encinitas, CA 92024
Email: morgan@seedacupuncture.com