Privacy Policy

Introduction

Valley Spring Recovery Center ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, use our services, or interact with us in any way.

Valley Spring Recovery Center provides outpatient addiction and mental health treatment services at our facility located at 830 Broadway, Norwood, NJ 07648. We are CARF Accredited and licensed by the State of New Jersey.

By accessing or using our website and services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this policy, please do not access our website or use our services.

Information We Collect

We may collect information about you in a variety of ways. The information we may collect includes:

Personal Information

Personally identifiable information that you voluntarily provide to us when you express an interest in obtaining information about our services, when you contact us, or when you seek admission to our programs, including:

• Full name, date of birth, and gender
• Phone number, email address, and mailing address
• Emergency contact information
• Insurance information and billing details
• Government-issued identification numbers

Protected Health Information (PHI)

When you enroll in our treatment programs, we collect health-related information as required to provide quality care, including:

• Medical history and current health conditions
• Substance use history and treatment records
• Mental health assessments and diagnoses
• Medication information
• Treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries
• Lab results and drug screening results

Website Usage Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain information about your device and usage patterns, including:

• IP address, browser type, and operating system
• Pages visited, time spent on pages, and navigation paths
• Referring website or search terms used to find us
• Device type and screen resolution

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for purposes including, but not limited to:

• Treatment and care: To provide, coordinate, and manage your addiction and mental health treatment, including assessments, treatment planning, therapeutic services, and follow-up care
• Insurance verification and billing: To verify your insurance coverage, process claims, and manage billing and payment for services rendered
• Communication: To respond to your inquiries, schedule appointments, send treatment-related reminders, and provide information about our programs
• Quality improvement: To evaluate and improve the quality of our treatment programs, monitor patient outcomes, and meet accreditation requirements
• Legal compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes, including state and federal healthcare regulations
• Website improvement: To analyze usage patterns and improve our website's functionality, content, and user experience
• Safety: To protect the health and safety of our patients, staff, and the public as required or permitted by law

How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

• With your consent: We may share your information when you provide written authorization to do so
• Treatment coordination: With other healthcare providers involved in your care, such as referring physicians, specialists, or hospitals, in accordance with applicable law
• Insurance and payment: With your insurance company or other responsible parties for billing and payment purposes
• Legal requirements: When required by law, court order, or government regulation, including mandatory reporting obligations
• Health and safety: When necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety
• Business operations: With trusted service providers who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or providing services to you, subject to confidentiality obligations

HIPAA Compliance

Valley Spring Recovery Center complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and its implementing regulations. As a covered entity, we are committed to protecting the privacy and security of your Protected Health Information (PHI).

Our HIPAA compliance measures include:

• Maintaining administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your PHI
• Training all staff members on HIPAA privacy and security requirements
• Appointing a designated Privacy Officer to oversee compliance
• Conducting regular risk assessments and audits
• Maintaining business associate agreements with all third-party vendors who handle PHI
• Implementing breach notification procedures in accordance with federal requirements

In addition to HIPAA, we comply with 42 CFR Part 2, which provides heightened confidentiality protections for substance use disorder patient records. These regulations restrict the disclosure of information that would identify an individual as having a substance use disorder.

Your Rights

Under HIPAA and applicable state laws, you have the following rights regarding your health information:

• Right to access: You may request access to your medical records and obtain copies of your Protected Health Information
• Right to amend: You may request that we correct or update your health information if you believe it is inaccurate or incomplete
• Right to an accounting of disclosures: You may request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your health information
• Right to request restrictions: You may request restrictions on how we use or disclose your health information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations
• 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
• Right to a paper copy: You may request a paper copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices at any time
• Right to file a complaint: You may file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if you believe your privacy rights have been violated

To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Privacy Officer using the contact information provided at the end of this policy.

Cookies and Tracking

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience and collect usage information.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help the website remember your preferences and understand how you interact with the site.

Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential cookies: Required for the website to function properly, such as maintaining your session and security
• Analytics cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously
• Functionality cookies: Allow the website to remember choices you make and provide enhanced features

Managing Cookies

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can set your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, disabling cookies may affect the functionality of certain parts of our website.

We may also use third-party analytics services such as Google Analytics, which collect information about website traffic and usage patterns. These services may use their own cookies and are subject to their respective privacy policies.

Data Security

We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety and integrity of your personal and health information. These measures include:

• Encryption of sensitive data during transmission using SSL/TLS protocols
• Secure, access-controlled electronic health record systems
• Physical security measures at our facility, including locked storage for paper records
• Role-based access controls limiting information access to authorized personnel
• Regular security assessments and vulnerability testing
• Employee training on information security best practices
• Incident response procedures for potential data breaches

While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee the absolute security of your data, but we are committed to implementing and maintaining reasonable safeguards.

Children's Privacy

Our website and services are intended for adults aged 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete that information as promptly as possible.

For adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17, any collection or use of information is done with the consent of a parent or legal guardian, in compliance with applicable laws including the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and state regulations regarding minors' health information.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make material changes to this policy, we will:

• Post the updated policy on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date
• Notify existing patients of significant changes through appropriate communication channels

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information. Your continued use of our website and services after any changes to this Privacy Policy constitutes your acceptance of those changes.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, your personal information, or our privacy practices, please do not hesitate to contact us:

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by visiting www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint or by calling 1-877-696-6775.