Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

SSM Treatment ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all individuals who visit our website at ssmtreatment.website and who seek or receive treatment services at our facility located at 46 W Madison St, Tallahassee, FL 32304. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information and protected health information (PHI) in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), state privacy laws, and other applicable federal regulations.

By accessing our website or utilizing our treatment services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this policy, please discontinue use of our website and contact us with any questions or concerns.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of information in connection with our website and treatment services:

Personal Information

• Full name, date of birth, and gender
• Contact information, including mailing address, email address, and phone number
• Emergency contact details
• Insurance and billing information
• Government-issued identification numbers as required by law
• Employment and educational background, where relevant to treatment

Health Information

• Medical history and current health conditions
• Substance use history and treatment records
• Mental health diagnoses and treatment plans
• Medication records and prescription history
• Laboratory and diagnostic test results
• Clinical notes and progress assessments

Website Usage Data

• IP address and approximate geographic location
• Browser type, operating system, and device information
• Pages visited, time spent on pages, and navigation patterns
• Referring website URLs and search terms used to find our site
• Information submitted through contact forms, chat features, or callback requests

3. How We Collect Information

We collect information through the following methods:

Directly From You

We collect personal and health information when you contact us by phone at (904) 337-4443, submit a form on our website, email us at [email protected], visit our facility for a consultation or assessment, enroll in a treatment program, or otherwise communicate with our staff. This includes information provided during the admissions process, clinical assessments, and ongoing treatment interactions.

Automatically Through Our Website

When you visit ssmtreatment.website, certain information is collected automatically through cookies, web beacons, server logs, and similar technologies. This data helps us understand how visitors use our website, improve user experience, and ensure the security and functionality of our online services. For more details, see Section 7 (Cookies and Tracking Technologies) below.

4. Use of Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

Treatment Purposes

• Providing addiction treatment, detoxification, residential, outpatient, and dual-diagnosis services
• Developing individualized treatment plans and coordinating care among our clinical team
• Conducting clinical assessments and monitoring patient progress
• Processing insurance claims and verifying coverage for treatment services
• Complying with mandatory reporting requirements and legal obligations

Communication

• Responding to your inquiries, requests for information, or callback requests
• Providing appointment reminders, treatment updates, and aftercare follow-ups
• Sending educational materials related to recovery and mental health wellness
• Notifying you of changes to our services, policies, or procedures

Website Improvement

• Analyzing website traffic patterns and usage trends to improve site content and functionality
• Troubleshooting technical issues and ensuring website security
• Customizing your browsing experience and providing relevant information

5. HIPAA Compliance

SSM Treatment is fully committed to compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and its implementing regulations, including the HIPAA Privacy Rule, Security Rule, and Breach Notification Rule. We also adhere to 42 CFR Part 2, which provides additional protections for substance use disorder patient records.

Protected Health Information (PHI)

Protected Health Information includes any individually identifiable health information that is created, received, maintained, or transmitted by our facility in connection with your treatment, payment for treatment, or our healthcare operations. We implement strict policies and procedures to ensure that your PHI is used and disclosed only as permitted or required by HIPAA and applicable law.

Patient Rights Under HIPAA

As a patient at SSM Treatment, you have the following rights regarding your protected health information:

• Right to Access: You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your PHI maintained by our facility.
• Right to Amend: You may request amendments to your PHI if you believe the information is inaccurate or incomplete.
• Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You may request a list of certain disclosures of your PHI that we have made.
• Right to Request Restrictions: You may request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your PHI.
• Right to Confidential Communications: You may request that we communicate with you in a particular manner or at a specific location.
• Right to a Paper Copy: You have the right to obtain a paper copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices at any time.
• Right to File a Complaint: You have the right to 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.

Notice of Privacy Practices

Upon admission to our treatment programs, all patients receive a detailed Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) that describes how your medical and health information may be used and disclosed and how you can access this information. A copy of our NPP is available upon request by contacting our Privacy Officer at [email protected] or by calling (904) 337-4443.

6. Information Sharing

We understand the sensitive nature of addiction treatment and mental health services. We are committed to limiting the sharing of your information to what is necessary and legally permitted.

When We May Share Information

• With Your Consent: We may share your information when you have provided explicit written authorization, in accordance with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 requirements.
• Treatment Team: Your PHI may be shared among members of your treatment team at SSM Treatment, including physicians, therapists, counselors, nurses, and administrative staff involved in your care, to ensure coordinated and effective treatment.
• Payment and Insurance: We may share necessary information with your insurance provider or other responsible parties for the purpose of processing claims and obtaining payment for services rendered.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information when required by law, including in response to a valid court order, subpoena, or legal proceeding, or as mandated by federal or state regulatory authorities.
• Public Health and Safety: We may disclose information when necessary to prevent a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a person or the public, as permitted by law.
• Regulatory Compliance: We may share information with government agencies for healthcare oversight activities, audits, inspections, and licensure requirements.

When We Never Share Information

• We never sell your personal information or protected health information to third parties.
• We never share your treatment records for marketing purposes without your explicit written consent.
• We never disclose your information to your employer, family members, or other individuals without your authorization, except as required by law.
• We never share substance use disorder patient records in violation of 42 CFR Part 2 federal confidentiality regulations.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience, analyze website usage, and improve our services.

Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: These cookies are necessary for the basic functioning of our website, including page navigation, access to secure areas, and form submissions. They do not collect personally identifiable information.
• Analytics Cookies: We use analytics tools to collect aggregated, anonymized data about website usage patterns, including pages visited, time on site, bounce rates, and traffic sources. This information helps us improve our website content and user experience.
• Functional Cookies: These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization, such as remembering your preferences and settings on return visits.

Managing Cookies

You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Most web browsers allow you to delete cookies, block all cookies, or receive a warning before a cookie is stored. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website. For more information on managing cookies, consult your browser's help documentation.

We do not use cookies or tracking technologies to collect or store protected health information. Any health-related information you submit through our website is collected through secure, encrypted forms and is treated in accordance with HIPAA requirements.

8. Your Rights

In addition to the HIPAA rights described in Section 5, you have the following rights regarding your personal information collected through our website:

• Right of Access: You may request access to the personal information we hold about you and receive a copy of such information in a commonly used electronic format.
• Right to Correction: You have the right to request correction of any inaccurate or incomplete personal information we maintain about you.
• Right to Deletion: You may request the deletion of your personal information, subject to applicable legal retention requirements and exceptions (such as information necessary for treatment records, legal compliance, or ongoing contractual obligations).
• Right to Restriction: You may request that we restrict the processing of your personal information under certain circumstances, such as when you contest the accuracy of the data or object to its processing.
• Right to Data Portability: Where technically feasible, you may request that we transfer your personal information to another service provider in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on your consent, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. Withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing performed prior to withdrawal.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Privacy Officer using the contact information provided in Section 12 below. We will respond to all valid requests within 30 days, or as otherwise required by applicable law.

9. Data Security

SSM Treatment implements comprehensive administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information and protected health information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

• Encryption: All electronic protected health information (ePHI) is encrypted during transmission and at rest using industry-standard encryption protocols. Our website uses SSL/TLS encryption to secure data transmitted between your browser and our servers.
• Access Controls: We enforce strict role-based access controls, ensuring that only authorized personnel who require access to your information for legitimate treatment, payment, or operational purposes can view or modify your records.
• Staff Training: All SSM Treatment employees and contractors receive regular training on HIPAA compliance, data privacy, information security protocols, and the proper handling of sensitive patient information.
• Physical Security: Our facility maintains physical safeguards including secure record storage areas, controlled access to treatment areas, and visitor management procedures to protect paper-based records and physical infrastructure.
• Incident Response: We maintain a formal breach notification and incident response plan. In the event of a security breach involving your PHI, we will notify affected individuals and the appropriate regulatory authorities in accordance with HIPAA Breach Notification Rule requirements.
• Regular Audits: We conduct periodic security assessments and audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities in our information systems and procedures.

While we employ robust security measures, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure. We encourage you to take precautions when sharing sensitive information online and to contact us immediately if you suspect any unauthorized access to your information.

10. Children's Privacy

SSM Treatment is committed to protecting the privacy of minors. Our website and online services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18 years of age without the express written consent of a parent or legal guardian.

In cases where a minor is admitted to our treatment programs, all personal and health information is collected with the knowledge and consent of their parent or legal guardian, in compliance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and applicable Florida state laws governing the treatment of minors for substance use disorders.

If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 18 without proper parental or guardian consent, we will take prompt steps to delete such information from our records. If you believe that a minor's information has been collected without appropriate consent, please contact us immediately at [email protected].

11. Changes to This Policy

SSM Treatment reserves the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time to reflect changes in our practices, regulatory requirements, or applicable laws. When we make material changes to this policy, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
• Post the revised policy prominently on our website at ssmtreatment.website
• Provide notice of significant changes through our website or, where appropriate, via direct communication to affected individuals

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 or services following the posting of changes constitutes your acceptance of such changes.

12. Contact Us for Privacy Concerns

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints regarding this Privacy Policy, our privacy practices, or the handling of your personal or health information, please contact our Privacy Officer:

SSM Treatment - Privacy Officer
46 W Madison St
Tallahassee, FL 32304

Phone: (904) 337-4443 (available 24/7)
Email: [email protected]
Secondary Email: [email protected]

We take all privacy complaints seriously and will investigate and respond to your concerns in a timely manner. If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office for Civil Rights
Website: www.hhs.gov/ocr
Toll-Free: 1-800-368-1019

Filing a complaint will not result in any retaliation or negative impact on your treatment or relationship with SSM Treatment.