Privacy Policy

Effective Date: April 11th, 2024

ACU4U Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine (“ACU4U,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the information you provide to us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information when you visit our website, communicate with us, schedule appointments, or use our services.

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through our website, appointment and contact forms, telephone calls, text messages, email communications, in-person interactions, and other communications with ACU4U. It is intended to supplement, not replace, ACU4U’s Notice of Privacy Practices for Protected Health Information.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:

  • Name and contact information

  • Phone number and email address

  • Appointment and scheduling information

  • Information provided through our website contact or appointment forms

  • Health, medical, treatment, and insurance information necessary to provide healthcare services

  • Payment and billing information

  • Communications between you and ACU4U

  • Information related to your preferences for receiving communications

We may also automatically collect limited technical information when you use our website, such as browser type, device information, IP address, approximate location, and information about how you interact with our website.

2. How We Use Your Information

We may use information we collect to:

  • Schedule and manage appointments

  • Send appointment confirmations, reminders, and other service-related communications

  • Respond to questions and requests

  • Provide, coordinate, and document healthcare services

  • Process payments and insurance-related transactions

  • Maintain patient and business records

  • Operate, maintain, and improve our website and services

  • Communicate with you about ACU4U services, events, educational information, and promotions when you have provided the appropriate consent

  • Protect the security and integrity of our systems and services

  • Comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements

We will use protected health information only as permitted by applicable law, including HIPAA, and as described in our Notice of Privacy Practices.

3. HIPAA Compliance and Protected Health Information

To the extent ACU4U is a covered entity or business associate under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”), ACU4U maintains policies and procedures designed to comply with the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules, as applicable.

Protected health information (“PHI”) may include individually identifiable information relating to your health condition, healthcare services, or payment for healthcare services. ACU4U may use and disclose PHI for purposes permitted or required by law, including:

  • Treatment

  • Payment

  • Healthcare operations

  • Appointment scheduling and reminders

  • Care coordination

  • Public health and safety activities

  • Legal and regulatory compliance

  • Other purposes authorized by you or permitted by applicable law

ACU4U uses reasonable administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect PHI from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Workforce members and service providers who handle PHI are expected to follow applicable privacy and security requirements.

When ACU4U engages vendors or service providers that create, receive, maintain, or transmit PHI on ACU4U’s behalf, ACU4U may enter into business associate agreements when required by HIPAA.

Our Notice of Privacy Practices explains in greater detail how PHI may be used and disclosed, your rights regarding PHI, and how to submit a privacy complaint. If there is a conflict between this Privacy Policy and the Notice of Privacy Practices regarding PHI, the Notice of Privacy Practices will control.

4. SMS and Text Messaging

If you provide your mobile phone number and consent to receive text messages from ACU4U, we may use your mobile number to send text messages related to your appointments, scheduling, and clinic communications.

Text messages may contain limited information necessary for the purpose of the communication. ACU4U will take reasonable steps to avoid including unnecessary sensitive health information in text messages. Text messaging may not be a completely secure method of communication, and you should not include detailed medical information in text messages unless specifically requested through an approved communication process.

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with third parties.

Your consent to receive text messages is not required as a condition of purchasing goods or services from ACU4U.

You can opt out of text messages at any time by replying “STOP” to any message. After you send “STOP,” you may receive a confirmation message and will no longer receive text messages from us unless you subsequently provide consent again.

For help with text messaging, reply “HELP” or contact ACU4U using the contact information provided on our website.

Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary.

5. Information Sharing

ACU4U does not sell your personal information or PHI.

We may share information with service providers and business partners who assist us with operating our practice, website, scheduling, billing, payment processing, communications, information technology, and other business functions. These parties are permitted to use information only as necessary to provide services to ACU4U and are expected to protect the information appropriately. When required by HIPAA, ACU4U will use business associate agreements and other safeguards for vendors that handle PHI.

We may also disclose information when required or permitted by law, including when necessary to:

  • Comply with legal, regulatory, or court requirements

  • Protect our rights, property, or safety

  • Prevent fraud, abuse, or security threats

  • Protect the safety of patients, staff, or others

  • Respond to public health or law enforcement requests

  • Carry out treatment, payment, or healthcare operations as permitted by HIPAA

We do not share mobile phone numbers, SMS opt-in information, or text messaging consent with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing or promotional purposes.

6. Cookies and Website Technologies

Our website may use cookies, analytics tools, and similar technologies to help us operate the website, understand website traffic, improve our services, and provide a better user experience.

These technologies may collect information such as browser type, device information, IP address, pages visited, and general website usage information. Website analytics information is not intended to include unnecessary PHI.

You may be able to control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

7. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information and PHI against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

Our safeguards may include access controls, workforce training, secure systems, vendor oversight, written policies and procedures, and incident response processes, as appropriate to the nature of the information.

However, no website, electronic communication, text message, or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

8. Your HIPAA Rights

Subject to applicable law, you may have rights regarding your PHI, including the right to:

  • Inspect and obtain a copy of certain PHI

  • Request corrections or amendments to PHI

  • Request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures

  • Request confidential communications by alternative means or at alternative locations

  • Receive an accounting of certain disclosures

  • Receive a paper or electronic copy of the Notice of Privacy Practices

  • File a privacy complaint without retaliation

Requests concerning your HIPAA rights should be submitted using the contact information below or according to the procedures described in ACU4U’s Notice of Privacy Practices.

9. Third-Party Websites and Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services. ACU4U is not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or security of third-party websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.

Third-party services used for scheduling, payment processing, communications, analytics, or other business functions may have their own privacy policies and terms. ACU4U expects vendors handling personal information or PHI to use appropriate safeguards and comply with applicable contractual and legal requirements.

10. Children's Privacy

Our website and services are not intended to knowingly collect personal information from children without appropriate parental or guardian involvement. If we learn that information has been collected from a child in a manner that violates applicable law, we will take appropriate steps to address the situation.

11. Your Choices

You may contact ACU4U to request information about how your personal information is used or to update certain contact information.

For SMS communications, you may opt out at any time by replying “STOP.”

For marketing communications by email, you may unsubscribe using the unsubscribe instructions included in the communication.

You may also request confidential communications or exercise applicable HIPAA rights as described in Section 8 and ACU4U’s Notice of Privacy Practices.

12. Privacy Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may contact ACU4U using the information below. You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, if you believe your HIPAA rights have been violated.

ACU4U will not retaliate against you for filing a privacy complaint or exercising your rights under applicable law.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, technology, legal requirements, or privacy practices. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.

Changes to our HIPAA practices may also be reflected in an updated Notice of Privacy Practices when required by law.

14. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, HIPAA compliance, your privacy rights, or our privacy practices, please contact:

ACU4U Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine
Website: www.acu4u.com
Phone: 877-992-2848
Email: info@acu4u.com

Effective Date: August 28, 2026