Privacy Policy
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES – Next Step Psychiatric Care and Wellness
This comprehensive Privacy Policy and Notice of Privacy Practices outlines how Next Step Psychiatric Care and Wellness, a leading mental health provider in Lake Jackson, TX, uses, stores, and shares your Protected Health Information (PHI) in accordance with federal and state laws. This document ensures full transparency regarding your privacy rights and the handling of your data.
Protected Health Information (PHI) includes personal details such as your name, address, genetic and demographic data, and any oral or recorded information related to your past, present, or future mental health condition or healthcare services.
We are legally required to comply with the standards set forth in this notice. We reserve the right to update these terms at any time. You may request a copy of the most recent version via our website, phone, or during your next visit.
Uses and Disclosures of PHI With Written Consent
Treatment: We may share your PHI with healthcare professionals, such as physicians, labs, and specialists, to coordinate your psychiatric care.
Payment: Your PHI may be shared with insurance companies to verify coverage, determine eligibility, and process payments for services provided.
Healthcare Operations: We use PHI for internal processes like quality reviews, training, licensing, marketing (if permitted), and administrative planning.
We may also use PHI to remind you of appointments or provide information about services and health-related benefits. Any third-party service providers (“business associates”) accessing PHI are bound by contract to maintain strict confidentiality.
Uses of PHI Based on Authorization
Any use or disclosure of PHI for marketing, the sale of data, or non-treatment purposes requires your signed authorization. You may revoke authorization at any time in writing.
We may also use PHI with your consent or when professional judgment determines it’s in your best interest, such as during emergencies or when communication barriers exist.
Uses of PHI Without Consent (As Required or Permitted by Law)
- Public health and communicable disease control
- Government health oversight (e.g., audits, inspections)
- Abuse or neglect reporting
- FDA compliance and adverse event reporting
- Legal proceedings and law enforcement requests
- Coroner, JP, and medical examiner purposes
- Research approved by IRBs
- Preventing or mitigating health threats
- Military, national security, and veterans affairs
- Workers’ compensation cases
Your Privacy Rights
- Access: Request copies of your medical and billing records
- Restrictions: Limit disclosures to health plans for services paid out-of-pocket
- Amendments: Request updates to your records
- Confidential Communication: Request alternate contact methods or addresses
- Accounting: Receive a list of disclosures not related to treatment, payment, or operations
- Breach Notification: Receive alerts for any breach of unsecured PHI
- Fundraising Opt-Out: Decline fundraising-related communications
- Printed Notice: Request a hard copy of this notice
Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our Privacy Office or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We will not retaliate for complaints.
Privacy Office Contact:
Next Step Psychiatric Care Management, LLC
Privacy Office, 7 West Way Ct Suite E, Lake Jackson, TX 77566
📞 979-399-5121
Consent for Office Policies and Patient Portal
By signing our consent forms, you allow us and our business associates (e.g., billing, EMR, lab vendors) to use and disclose PHI for treatment, payment, and operations (TPO). This includes communications via phone, text, email, mail, and our patient portal.
You may revoke consent in writing, although this may limit our ability to provide care.
Personal Information & Website Data Use
What We Collect
- Full name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Mailing address
How We Use It
- Deliver and improve services
- Respond to inquiries
- Send marketing communications (if opted in)
- Fulfill legal requirements
SMS Consent Policy
By providing your phone number, you agree to receive SMS messages from Next Step Psychiatric Care and Wellness related to your care, including reminders, updates, and clinical follow-ups.
- Frequency: 1–3 messages per visit cycle
- Message Rates: Standard SMS/data charges may apply
- Opt-In: Intake form checkbox
- Opt-Out: Reply “STOP” to unsubscribe
SMS Statement: “By checking this box, I agree to receive text messages from Next Step Psychiatric Care and Wellness at the number provided. Message frequency may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Text HELP to 979-399-5121. Reply STOP to opt out.”
We do not share or sell SMS data or phone numbers with third parties for marketing.
Data Protection & Security
We use industry-standard safeguards—physical, administrative, and electronic—to protect your data. However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. We are committed to continual improvement in our data security protocols.
Third-Party Sharing
We do not sell or trade your information. Trusted vendors may access your data only to deliver essential services and are bound by confidentiality agreements.
Your Data Rights
You may:
- Access, correct, or delete your data
- Opt out of SMS or marketing communications
Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy as needed. All revisions will be posted on our website with the new effective date.
Contact Information
Next Step Psychiatric Care and Wellness
7 West Way, Lake Jackson, Suite E , TX 77566
📞 Phone: 979-399-5121
📠 Fax: 979-399-5181
📧 Email: info@nextsteppsychiatric.com
