Privacy Policy

1. Scope of this policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Austin Cardiovascular Clinic ("we," "us," or "our") handles information collected through this website. It applies to our public website only.

Protected health information created or received in the course of treatment, payment, or health care operations is governed separately by our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, which is available at any of our offices and on request.

2. Information we collect

We collect only the information needed to respond to you and to keep the website working well.

• Contact forms — your name, phone number, email address, and anything you choose to write in the message field.
• Appointment requests — your name, phone number, email address, insurance provider, preferred location, preferred date, and the brief reason for your visit that you provide.
• Cookies and similar technologies — small files placed on your device to keep the site functioning and to help us understand how it is used. See our Cookie Policy for details.
• Analytics data — pages viewed, time on page, referring website, approximate (city-level) location, and general usage patterns, collected through services such as Google Analytics.
• Device information — device type, operating system, screen size, and language settings.
• Browser information — browser type and version, IP address, and general connection details recorded in standard server logs.

3. How we use information

• To respond to questions, callback requests, and appointment inquiries.
• To schedule, confirm, and coordinate visits at the location you select.
• To improve the content, accessibility, performance, and security of the website.
• To detect, prevent, and address technical issues, spam, and misuse.
• To meet legal, regulatory, and recordkeeping obligations.

4. Please do not send sensitive details through the website

Website forms and email are not secure channels. Please share only the minimum information needed to reach you, and never send detailed medical history, test results, or other sensitive information through a web form. For clinical matters, call us at 512-551-3490 or use the secure patient portal.

5. Third-party services

We use a small number of reputable service providers to operate the website. These providers process information only as needed to deliver their service and are not permitted to sell it.

• Website hosting and content delivery providers.
• Analytics providers, such as Google Analytics, which use cookies and similar technologies.
• Embedded maps (Google Maps) used on our Locations and Contact pages.
• Our patient portal provider, which is governed by its own privacy terms.

6. We do not sell your information

We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information. We may disclose information when required by law, in response to valid legal process, or to protect the rights, safety, and property of our patients, staff, or practice.

7. Data security

We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect information submitted through this website, including encrypted (HTTPS) transmission, access controls, and routine review of our systems.

No website or method of electronic transmission is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Data retention

We keep website inquiries and appointment requests only as long as needed to respond to you, to establish or maintain a care relationship, and to satisfy legal, accounting, or recordkeeping obligations. Analytics data is retained according to the retention settings of the analytics provider. [PLACEHOLDER — confirm the practice's specific retention schedule with counsel.]

9. Your rights and choices

To exercise any of these rights, email [Placeholder – Confirm Privacy Contact Email] or call 512-551-3490. We may need to verify your identity before responding.

• Ask what information we hold about you and request a copy.
• Ask us to correct information that is inaccurate or incomplete.
• Ask us to delete website inquiry information, where we are not required to keep it.
• Opt out of analytics cookies through your browser settings or the controls described in our Cookie Policy.
• Ask to be removed from any non-clinical email or outreach list.
• Residents of certain states may have additional rights under applicable state privacy laws.

10. Children's privacy

This website is intended for a general adult audience. We do not knowingly collect information online from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent. A parent or legal guardian should submit any request on behalf of a minor. If you believe a child has provided information through this website, contact us and we will delete it promptly.

11. Links to other websites

Our website may link to third-party sites, such as hospital partners or the patient portal. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites; please review their policies directly.

12. Updates to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or applicable law. The revised policy takes effect when posted, and the "Last updated" date above will change accordingly.

13. HIPAA privacy contact

Requests that involve protected health information — records, amendments, accounting of disclosures, or a privacy complaint — are handled under our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices rather than this website policy.

• Privacy Officer: [Placeholder – Confirm HIPAA Privacy Officer Name & Direct Contact]
• HIPAA requests and complaints: [Placeholder – Confirm Privacy Contact Email]
• [Placeholder – Confirm HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices effective date and where patients can obtain a copy]

14. Contact us

Legal entity: [Placeholder – Confirm Legal Business Name]. Registered agent: [Placeholder – Confirm Registered Agent, if applicable].

Questions about this policy? Email [Placeholder – Confirm Privacy Contact Email], call 512-551-3490, fax 833-973-3889, or write to us at [Placeholder – Confirm Legal Mailing Address].