NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
SpineCare Decompression and Chiropractic Center
Effective Date: February 16, 2026
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.
OUR PLEDGE REGARDING HEALTH INFORMATION
We understand that health information about you and your health is personal. We are committed to protecting health information about you. This Notice applies to all of the records of your care generated by SpineCare Decompression and Chiropractic Center, whether made by our staff or your chiropractor.
1. HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR PHI
We may use and disclose your Protected Health Information (PHI) for the following purposes:
Treatment: To provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare. For example, we may disclose PHI to other chiropractors, physicians, or specialists involved in your care.
Payment: To bill and collect payment from you, an insurance company, or a third party. This includes verifying eligibility for benefits.
Healthcare Operations: To run our practice and ensure you receive quality care. This includes internal audits, clinical searches, and quality assessment.
Appointment Reminders: We may contact you (via phone, email, or text) to remind you of an appointment.
As Required by Law: We will disclose PHI when required to do so by federal, state, or local law, including Workers’ Compensation laws in the State of Michigan.
Public Health & Safety: To prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of the public or another person.
2. SPECIAL PROTECTIONS: SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER (SUD) RECORDS
In accordance with 42 CFR Part 2 (as updated Feb 16, 2026), specific protections apply to SUD records:
Consent: We will obtain your written consent before disclosing SUD records for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
Legal Proceedings: SUD records will not be used in civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings against you without a specific court order or your written consent.
Fundraising: You have the right to opt out of any fundraising communications that utilize SUD-related information.
3. YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR PHI
Right to Inspect and Copy: You have the right to inspect and receive a paper or electronic copy of your medical and billing records. Under the Michigan Medical Records Access Act, we may charge a reasonable fee for the costs of copying and mailing.
Right to Amend: If you feel that health information we have about you is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask us to amend the information.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You may request a list of certain disclosures we made of your PHI for purposes other than treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
Right to Request Restrictions: You may request a restriction on the PHI we use or disclose. We are not required to agree to your request unless you pay for a service in full out-of-pocket and request we not share that info with your health plan.
Right to Confidential Communications: You may request that we communicate with you in a certain way or at a certain location (e.g., only at home or by mail).
4. WEBSITE & ELECTRONIC DATA
Cookies/Tracking: Our website uses cookies to monitor site traffic and improve user experience. No PHI is stored in cookies.
Electronic Forms: Information submitted via website forms is used only to respond to your specific request. Note: Standard email is not a secure medium; please avoid sending sensitive clinical details via email.
5. CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE
We reserve the right to change this notice. We will post a copy of the current notice in our facility and on our website at bestspinecare.com.
6. COMPLAINTS AND CONTACT INFORMATION
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our office or the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.
Practice Contact:
SpineCare Decompression and Chiropractic Center Attn: Privacy Officer 3134 Niles Rd Unit B, St. Joseph, MI 49085 Phone: 269-408-8439 | Fax: 269-281-0386 | Email: info@bestspinecare.com
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (OCR): Email: OCRMail@hhs.gov Phone: 1-800-368-1019 | TDD: 1-800-537-7697 Regional Office (Region V): 233 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 240, Chicago, IL 60601