WEBSITE PRIVACY POLICY
Empire Medical Wellness
Effective date: 8/1/26
Practice: Empire Medical Wellness LLC doing business as Empire Medical Wellness.
Empire Medical Wellness (“we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy. This Website Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information when you visit our website, request information, communicate with us, or use our online services.
WEBSITE PRIVACY AND MEDICAL PRIVACY
This policy addresses our website and related communications. Our separate HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices explains how we use and disclose protected health information, your rights concerning that information, and the additional protections that apply to certain substance use disorder records.
Information you submit when seeking care may be protected health information even before you become an established patient. When HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, or another health privacy law applies, we handle that information under those requirements and our Notice of Privacy Practices. Nothing in this policy limits your legal rights or authorizes a disclosure that the law otherwise prohibits.
Visiting this website, submitting an inquiry, or accepting cookies is not a HIPAA authorization, a Part 2 consent, or consent to receive marketing messages.
INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE
Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect your name, email address, telephone number, mailing address, preferred contact method, appointment preferences, and information you choose to include in a message or request. We may also receive contact information that you voluntarily submit through a practice advertisement, referral inquiry, or appointment-request form.
When you use our designated patient intake, scheduling, payment, or patient portal systems, we may collect additional information needed to provide services, such as your date of birth, medical history, medications, treatment information, consent forms, billing details, and payment information. The health information in those systems is subject to applicable medical privacy requirements.
Please do not submit detailed medical information, Social Security numbers, payment card details, or other sensitive information through general website contact forms, social media messages, or ordinary email. Use the patient portal or another communication method approved by our practice for that purpose.
INFORMATION COLLECTED THROUGH WEBSITE TECHNOLOGY
Our website and its service providers may collect technical information such as your Internet Protocol (IP) address, browser and device type, operating system, referring website, pages viewed, dates and times of access, and information about website performance or errors. Cookies and similar technologies may be used for site functionality, security, preferences, and permitted measurement of website use.
The technologies actually used, the information they collect, and their permitted purposes must remain consistent with this policy and applicable law. We do not use patient records, appointment details, or identifiable health information to create advertising audiences or target advertisements based on a person’s health conditions or treatment.
You may be able to limit cookies through your browser settings. Blocking some cookies may affect website functionality. Where available, website privacy settings provide additional choices. We honor legally required opt-out preference signals when applicable. A cookie choice does not replace any separate authorization or consent required for health information.
HOW WE USE INFORMATION
We use information to respond to inquiries, coordinate appointments, provide requested services, communicate about scheduling and administrative matters, process payments, maintain appropriate records, protect our systems, prevent fraud or misuse, and comply with legal obligations. We may use permitted technical information to understand and improve website functionality and accessibility.
We send optional promotional communications only when permitted by law and after obtaining any required consent. We do not treat an appointment request or your decision to receive medical care as automatic enrollment in promotional messages.
WHEN INFORMATION MAY BE DISCLOSED
Service providers. We may disclose information to providers that support practice operations, including website hosting, scheduling, patient intake, electronic records, communications, payment processing, technical support, and professional services. Access is limited to the information appropriate for their work. We use the confidentiality, security, business associate, and other agreements required for the information and services involved.
Care and practice administration. Disclosures of protected health information for treatment, payment, or health care operations are governed by our Notice of Privacy Practices and applicable law, including any additional consent requirements for specially protected records.
Legal obligations and protection. We may disclose information when lawfully required or otherwise permitted to address fraud, security incidents, legal claims, or threats to safety. These circumstances do not create an exception to HIPAA, Part 2, or stricter state protections where those laws apply.
Practice changes. Information may be transferred in connection with a lawful practice reorganization, sale, merger, or transfer of records, but only as permitted by applicable privacy laws and any required notices or consents.
No sale or third-party advertising use. We do not sell or rent personal information or share it with third parties for their own marketing or cross-context behavioral advertising. This does not prevent the limited disclosures to service providers and other recipients described above for lawful, authorized purposes.
TEXT MESSAGES, TELEPHONE CALLS, AND EMAIL
We may use the contact information you provide to respond to your requests and send permitted appointment, administrative, or care-related communications, consistent with your preferences and applicable law. Tell us when a telephone number, email address, voicemail, or mailing address should not be used.
Where a text messaging service is used, message frequency varies and message and data rates may apply. You may opt out of text messages by replying STOP or contacting us. For assistance, call 929-930-3636. Opting out of texts does not prevent you from receiving care; contact the practice to arrange another communication method.
Promotional text messages require separate consent where required by law. Consent to promotional messages is not a condition of purchasing services or receiving treatment. You may unsubscribe from promotional emails using the instructions in the message or by contacting us.
Mobile phone numbers and text-message opt-in information are not sold or shared with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing or promotional purposes. They may be shared with service providers only as needed to support communications on our behalf and subject to applicable privacy obligations.
Ordinary email and text messaging may not offer the same privacy protections as a secure patient portal. Messages may be visible to others with access to your device or account. Do not use routine messages for emergencies or assume that they are continuously monitored.
SECURITY AND RETENTION
We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards appropriate to the information we handle. No website, electronic transmission, or storage system can be guaranteed completely secure. Please protect your login credentials and notify us promptly if you believe your account or information has been accessed without authorization.
We retain information for the period appropriate to its purpose and as required by applicable law, professional obligations, recordkeeping requirements, and the resolution of disputes. A request to delete website or contact information does not automatically require deletion of medical records that we must retain.
YOUR CHOICES AND PRIVACY REQUESTS
You may contact us to update your contact information, change communication preferences, withdraw optional marketing consent, or request access to, correction of, or deletion of information. We will evaluate and respond to requests under the laws that apply. Depending on those laws, additional rights may include obtaining a copy of information, opting out of certain processing, or appealing a decision about a privacy request.
We may need to verify your identity or the authority of someone acting for you. Some requests are subject to lawful exceptions, including medical record retention and patient-safety obligations. We will not unlawfully discriminate or retaliate against you for exercising privacy rights. Rights concerning medical records are explained in our Notice of Privacy Practices.
CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENT PATIENTS
Our public marketing website is not directed to children under 13. Parents and legal guardians may contact us regarding services for minors. Information collected in connection with a minor’s medical care is handled under applicable consent, confidentiality, and parental-access rules, which may protect certain services from disclosure even to a parent or guardian.
EXTERNAL WEBSITES AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Our website may link to independent websites, social media platforms, laboratories, pharmacies, or other organizations. Their privacy practices may differ from ours. Review their policies before providing information. A link does not mean that we control an independent organization’s handling of information. Vendors acting on our behalf remain subject to the obligations applicable to that relationship.
Information posted publicly in a review, comment, or social media discussion may be visible to others. Please do not post private medical information on public pages or assume that public messages are confidential clinical communications.
CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
We may update this policy to reflect changes in our services, practices, or legal obligations. We will post the revised policy with its effective date and provide additional notice or obtain consent when required. A policy update does not, by itself, authorize a new use of information that requires your separate permission.
CONTACT US
Empire Medical Wellness
Attention: Privacy Officer
Telephone: 929-930-3636
Email: admin@empiremedicalwellness.com
Privacy mailing address: 220 5th Ave, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10001
For a privacy question or request, ask to speak with our Privacy Officer. Avoid sending sensitive medical information in ordinary email; contact us for an appropriate way to submit it.
For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. This website and routine messages are not emergency services.