Notice of Privacy Practices

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

At Insight Vision Optometry, Las Vegas, protecting your personal health information is a responsibility we take just as seriously as your vision. Whether you are visiting us for a routine eye exam, a custom scleral lens fitting, advanced keratoconus management, or an urgent eye emergency, we want you to understand exactly how your health information is handled, and the rights you have over it.

How We Use & Disclose Your Health Information

We may use and disclose your health information without your written authorization for the purposes described below. For any use or disclosure not listed here, we will obtain your written authorization first. You may revoke any authorization at any time by submitting a written request to our office.

Treatment

We use your health information to provide, coordinate, and manage your eye care. This includes sharing relevant records with other providers involved in your treatment, for example, if we refer you for corneal cross-linking, co-manage your care after LASIK or cataract surgery, or coordinate with your primary care physician regarding diabetic eye care. Your diagnostic images, contact lens fitting data, and examination findings may be shared with treating providers as needed.

Payment

We may use and disclose your health information to bill and collect payment for services, whether from you directly, your vision or medical insurance (such as EyeMed or VSP), or a third-party payer. If you pay out of pocket in full for a service and request that we not disclose that service to your health plan, we will honor your request.

Health Care Operations

We may use your health information for activities that support the operation and continuous improvement of our practice. Examples include quality assessments, staff training and credentialing, internal auditing, and business planning. We may also share information with other entities that have a relationship with you (such as your insurance plan) for their health care operations, subject to the out-of-pocket exception above.

Appointment Reminders & Care Coordination

We may contact you by phone, text message, email, or mail to remind you of upcoming appointments, recall you for annual eye exams, inform you that your custom contact lenses or glasses are ready for pickup, or notify you about treatment alternatives and health-related benefits that may interest you. We will not send you communications about products or services subsidized by a third party without your authorization.

People Involved in Your Care

We may share relevant health information with a family member, close friend, or other person you identify as being involved in your care or payment. For example, if a family member picks up your glasses or contact lenses, we may confirm the order details. We may also notify your emergency contact about your location or general condition.

Research

As thought leaders in optometry who work with major contact lens companies to develop new technologies, we may occasionally participate in clinical research to advance eye care. Under certain circumstances, we may use or disclose your health information for research purposes, but only after the project has been approved through a formal review process.

Fundraising & Marketing

We may use limited health information for fundraising communications. You have the right to opt out of receiving these at any time. Any use of your health information for marketing purposes where we receive financial remuneration from a third party requires your written authorization.

Special Situations & Legal Disclosures

There are circumstances in which we are permitted or required by law to use or disclose your health information without your written authorization, including:

• When required by applicable federal, state, or local law, including Nevada reporting requirements.
• To prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to health and safety.
• To business associates bound by written agreements to protect your information.
• For public health activities, health oversight, and audits.
• In response to lawsuits, legal proceedings, or law enforcement requests.

Your Rights as a Patient

You have the following rights regarding the health information we maintain about you. To exercise any of these rights, please submit a written request to our office.

Right to Access & Obtain Copies

You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of health information used to make decisions about your care, including medical records, topography scans, imaging, and prescriptions. We may charge a reasonable fee for copying and mailing.

Right to Request Amendments & Restrictions

If you believe any health information we maintain about you is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment in writing. You may also request that we restrict how we use or disclose your health information for treatment, payment, or health care operations. We are required to agree to restrict disclosure to a health plan if you have paid for the service entirely out of pocket.

Right to an Accounting of Disclosures

You may request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your health information for purposes other than treatment, payment, health care operations, or disclosures you authorized in writing.

Right to Confidential Communications

You may request that we communicate with you about your health information in a specific way or at a specific location, for example, by contacting you only at a work number or sending correspondence to an alternate address. We will accommodate all reasonable requests.

Right to Breach Notification & Paper Copy

If a breach occurs that compromises the security of your unsecured health information, we will notify you in writing. You are also entitled to a paper copy of this Notice at any time.

Telehealth & Out-of-Town Patient Privacy

Because we frequently welcome national and international patients traveling through Harry Reid International Airport (just 15 minutes away), we offer robust telehealth and virtual consultations. When you participate in a virtual visit:

• We use encrypted, HIPAA-compliant video conferencing platforms to protect your information during transmission.
• The exact same privacy protections that apply to our in-office visits apply to all virtual encounters.
• Health information shared during telehealth visits is documented in your medical record (via our Crystal PM system) and subject to the same access, amendment, and disclosure rights described in this Notice.

Website & Digital Privacy

When you visit www.insightvisionlv.com or interact with our online services, your digital privacy is protected:

• Website analytics & Cookies: We use analytics tools that collect anonymized usage data (pages visited, time on site) to improve our website. This data does not include Protected Health Information.
• Online appointment requests: Information submitted through our website booking forms is transmitted securely and treated as confidential.

Substance Use Disorder Records

In compliance with 42 C.F.R. Part 2 as integrated into the HIPAA Privacy Rule, if our practice receives or maintains records related to substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis, treatment, or referral, those records are subject to additional federal protections requiring written consent for most disclosures.

Changes to This Notice

We reserve the right to change this Notice and to apply the revised terms to health information we already hold as well as information we receive in the future. When we make a material change, we will post the updated Notice on our website at www.insightvisionlv.com and make copies available at our office. Each version will display the effective date on the first page.

Questions & Complaints

If you have questions about this Notice or believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may:

• Contact our Privacy Officer at the address or phone number below
• File a written complaint with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office for Civil Rights

You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint.