HIPAA Policy

Bear’s Pathway Counseling HIPAA Policy

Bear’s Pathway Counseling is committed to protecting our clients’ privacy and confidentiality. In addition, we take steps to protect your Personal Health Information (PHI) and personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard this information, including data we process through our communication partner, Telzio.

What Information We Collect

We collect information necessary to provide counseling services and manage our business. This information may include:

  • Identity Data: Your full name and date of birth.
  • Contact Data: Your phone number, email address, and mailing address.
  • Health Information (PHI): Your mental health history, treatment notes, diagnoses, and treatment plans.
  • Log Data: Call records, voicemail messages, and SMS messages processed through our communication partner, Telzio. Telzio encrypts this communication to help protect your information.

How We Use Telzio (HIPAA Compliance)

We use Telzio for voice calls, messaging, and video conferencing. Telzio provides a HIPAA-compliant platform and serves as our Business Associate. In addition, Telzio encrypts communications both in transit and at rest. We also maintain a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with Telzio, which requires Telzio to protect your information in accordance with applicable privacy and security requirements.

We do not use Telzio to record therapy sessions without your explicit, written consent.

Data Retention and Deletion

We retain your health records for a minimum of 7 years, as required by law.

In addition, we use Telzio’s data retention tools to automatically delete or archive voicemails, call logs, and messages according to our clinical documentation policy. After the applicable retention period ends, we securely destroy records in accordance with our policies and applicable legal requirements.

How We Use and Share Information

We never sell or rent your information to third parties. We only share your information when necessary to provide services, process payments, or meet legal requirements.

  • Treatment: We may share information as needed to provide and coordinate your counseling services.
  • Payment: We may use or share information as needed for billing and payment purposes.
  • Legal Requirements: We may disclose information when the law requires us to do so. This may include mandatory reporting of abuse or neglect, responding to court orders, or taking appropriate action when a serious threat of harm creates a legal duty to warn or protect.

Your Rights

 

  • Access and obtain a copy of your medical records.
  • Request an amendment to your records if you believe the information is incorrect or incomplete.
  • Request restrictions on how we use or disclose your information.
  • Receive confidential communications by requesting an alternative method or location, such as asking us to call you at a different phone number.

Security

We take reasonable and appropriate measures to protect your data from unauthorized access or disclosure, including using encrypted platforms and secure, password-protected systems.

10DLC SMS Regulatory Compliance

  • Data privacy: We do not share mobile information with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. In addition, the categories described above do not include text messaging opt-in data or consent records. We do not share this information with any third parties.
  • Opt-out: If you no longer wish to receive text messages or other future communications from Bear’s Pathway Counseling, you can opt out at any time by replying STOP to our text messages.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy periodically. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. If you have any questions, please contact our Client Care Coordinator

 

Email: support@bearspathwaycounseling.com
Phone: (936) 213-0078