Privacy Policy Text Messaging

TEXT MESSAGING

Policy and Procedure – Patient Text Messaging

Policy

Abilene Absolute Recovery Solutions, OTP, will use text messaging solely for informational purposes such as appointment reminders and account notifications. Mobile numbers and opt-in data will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.

Procedure

1. Enrollment

o Patients opt in to receive text messages by providing consent during intake.

o Consent is documented in the patient’s record.

2. Message Content

o Only informational messages (reminders, notifications) are sent.

o No promotional or marketing content is permitted.

3. Opt-Out

o Patients may opt out at any time by replying STOP.

o Staff must update records within 24 hours of receiving an opt-out.

4. Support

o Patients may reply HELP for assistance or email sflores@texasmethadone.com.

o Staff respond to HELP requests within one business day.

Example of Messaging

Mobile information will not be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.

If you wish to be removed from receiving future communications, you can opt out by texting STOP

Messaging Terms & Conditions You agree to receive informational messages (appointment reminders, account notifications, etc.) from Abilene Absolute Recovery Solutions, OTP. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. For help, reply HELP or email us at sflores@texasmethadone.com You can opt out at any time by replying STOP.

WEBSITE USE

Terms & Conditions (Website Use)

Terms & Conditions
Effective Date: May 4, 2021
Abilene Absolute Recovery Solutions (AARS)

These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of the Abilene Absolute Recovery Solutions website (“Site”). By accessing or using this Site, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

If you do not agree with these Terms, please do not use this Site.

1. Informational Purposes Only

The content on this Site is provided for general informational purposes only.
It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
You should not rely on information on this Site as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always contact a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about a medical condition or treatment.

2. No Provider–Patient Relationship via Website

Use of this Site, including submitting a web form or sending an email, does not create a provider–patient relationship with AARS or any of its staff. A provider–patient relationship is established only through direct clinical engagement according to our clinic policies.

3. Your Use of the Site

You agree to use this Site only for lawful purposes. You agree not to:

• Use      the Site in a way that violates any law or regulation
• Attempt      to gain unauthorized access to any part of the Site or its systems
• Introduce      viruses, malware, or other harmful code
• Use      the Site to transmit abusive, threatening, or inappropriate content

We reserve the right to restrict or terminate your access to the Site at our sole discretion if we believe these Terms have been violated.

4. Intellectual Property

All content on this Site, including text, graphics, logos, and layout, is the property of Abilene Absolute Recovery Solutions or its content providers and is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.

You may view, download, and print content for your personal, non-commercial use only. You may not modify, reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works without our prior written consent.

5. Third-Party Links

This Site may contain links to external websites. These links are provided for convenience only. AARS does not endorse and is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or privacy practices of any third-party website.

6. Disclaimer of Warranties

This Site and its content are provided “as is” and “as available” without any warranties of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to:

• Accuracy      or completeness of information
• Availability      or uptime of the Site
• Non-infringement      or fitness for a particular purpose

You use this Site at your own risk.

7. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Abilene Absolute Recovery Solutions and its officers, employees, and agents are not liablefor any damages arising out of or in connection with:

• Your      access to or use of this Site
• Your      inability to use this Site
• Any      content, errors, or omissions on the Site

This includes, without limitation, direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages.

8. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless AARS and its employees, officers, and agents from any claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, or expenses arising from your misuse of the Site or violation of these Terms.

9. Changes to the Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Changes are effective when posted on this page with a new effective date. Your continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

10. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

11. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms, contact:

Abilene Absolute Recovery Solutions
429 N. Judge Ely Blvd.
Abilene, TX 79601-5553
Phone: 325-400-8586
Email: info@texasmethadone.com

HIPAA and 42 CFR PART 2

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

HIPAA & 42 CFR PART 2
Abilene Absolute Recovery Solutions (AARS)
Effective Date: May 4, 2021

This Notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.

Abilene Absolute Recovery Solutions (“AARS”) is a federally regulated Opioid Treatment Program (OTP). We are required by law to protect the privacy and confidentiality of your health information, including information related to substance use disorder treatment.

1. Our Legal Duties

We are required by law to:

• Maintain      the privacy of your health information
• Provide      you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices
• Follow      the terms of this Notice currently in effect

AARS complies with:

• HIPAA      (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
• 42      CFR Part 2 (Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records)
• SAMHSA      OTP regulations (42 CFR Part 8)
• Texas      Health & Human Services Commission (HHSC) rules

2. Special Protection for Substance Use Disorder Records (42 CFR Part 2)

Federal law provides extra protections for records related to substance use disorder treatment.

In general, we may not disclose information that would identify you as a patient in our program without your written consent, even for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations — unless a specific Part 2 exception applies.

Any disclosure made with your consent must follow the exact terms of that consent.

3. Uses and Disclosures of Your Health Information

A. Uses and Disclosures WITH Your Written Consent

With your written consent, we may disclose your information for:

• Coordination      of care with other healthcare providers
• Insurance      billing and payment
• Referrals      to inpatient, residential, or specialty services
• Communication      with family members or other supports you designate

You may revoke your consent at any time in writing, except to the extent we have already relied on it.

B. Uses and Disclosures WITHOUT Your Consent (Permitted by Law)

We may disclose your information without your consent only in limited circumstances allowed under 42 CFR Part 2, including:

1. Medical Emergencies

To medical personnel when necessary to treat a medical emergency.

2. Program Operations (Internal Use Only)

For internal program operations such as:

• Quality      improvement
• Staff      training
• Audits      and compliance reviews

These disclosures do not include sharing your information outside the program.

3. Audits and Evaluations

To authorized federal, state, or local authorities for audits or program evaluations, including:

• SAMHSA
• DEA
• Texas      HHSC
• Accreditation      organizations

These entities are required to protect your confidentiality.

4. Court Orders

Only if we receive a court order that meets the strict requirements of 42 CFR Part 2.
A subpoena alone is not sufficient.

5. Crimes on Program Premises or Against Program Staff

We may report limited information to law enforcement if a crime is committed:

• On      program premises, or
• Against      program staff

Only the minimum necessary information may be disclosed.

6. Mandatory Reporting

We may disclose information as required by law for:

• Suspected      abuse or neglect
• Threats      of serious harm to you or others

4. Uses and Disclosures Under HIPAA

HIPAA allows certain uses and disclosures of health information for:

• Treatment
• Payment
• Healthcare      operations

However, when 42 CFR Part 2 is more restrictive, Part 2 controls.
In those cases, your written consent is required even if HIPAA would otherwise allow disclosure.

5. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Inspect      and obtain a copy of your health records
• Request      amendments to your records
• Request      restrictions on certain uses or disclosures
• Request      confidential communications (for example, at a different address or      phone number)
• Receive      an accounting of disclosures, where required by law
• Receive      a paper copy of this Notice at any time

Requests must be submitted in writing.

6. Your Right to File a Complaint

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with:

Abilene Absolute Recovery Solutions
ATTN: Privacy Officer
429 N. Judge Ely Blvd.
Abilene, TX 79601-5553
Phone: 325-400-8586
Email: info@texasmethadone.com

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

7. Changes to This Notice

We reserve the right to change this Notice.
Any changes will apply to all health information we maintain and will be posted and available upon request.

8. Contact Information

For questions about this Notice, your rights, or how your information is used or disclosed, contact:

Abilene Absolute Recovery Solutions
Privacy Officer
429 N. Judge Ely Blvd.
Abilene, TX 79601-5553
Phone: 325-400-8586
Email: info@texasmethadone.com

Important Federal Confidentiality Notice 

This information has been disclosed to you from records protected by federal confidentiality rules (42 CFR Part 2). The federal rules prohibit you from making any further disclosure of this information unless further disclosure is expressly permitted by the written consent of the person to whom it pertains or as otherwise permitted by 42 CFR Part 2. A general authorization for the release of medical or other information is NOT sufficient for this purpose. The federal rules restrict any use of the information to criminally investigate or prosecute any patient.