Privacy Policy

 

Privacy Policy

At North Shore Family Services, takes the security and privacy of your personal information extremely seriously. We will not trade, sell, or rent your personally identifiable information. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you visit our website, https://northshorefamilyservices.com . We comply with applicable privacy laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for client confidentiality, and the Illinois Personal Information Protection Act.

1. Who We Are

Our website address is: https://northshorefamilyservices.com.

2. Comments

When visitors leave comments on the site, we collect the data shown in the comments form, as well as the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string. This data helps with spam detection.

An anonymized string (also called a hash) created from your email address may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval of your comment, your profile picture may be visible to the public in the context of your comment.

3. Media

If you upload images to the website, please avoid uploading images with embedded location data (EXIF GPS). Visitors to the website can download and extract any location data from images.

4. Cookies

Our website uses cookies to enhance your experience. If you leave a comment on our site, you may opt-in to saving your name, email address, and website in cookies for your convenience. These cookies will last for one year.

If you visit our login page, we set a temporary cookie to determine if your browser accepts cookies. This cookie contains no personal data and is discarded when you close your browser.

When logged in, several cookies are set up to save your login information and screen display choices. Login cookies last for two days, and screen options cookies last for one year. If you select “Remember Me,” your login will persist for two weeks. If you log out, login cookies will be removed.

If you edit or publish an article, an additional cookie is saved in your browser. It contains no personal data and simply indicates the post ID of the article you just edited. It expires after one day.

5. Embedded Content from Other Websites

Articles on this site may include embedded content (e.g., videos, images, articles). Embedded content behaves in the exact same way as if the visitor has visited the other website. These websites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed additional third-party tracking, and monitor your interaction with the embedded content.

6. Personal Information We Collect

“Personal Information” refers to details that can identify you or your household, such as your name, email, phone number, or any other information related to your professional, educational, or health background. While using our services, we may collect this information directly from you or from your Provider. The types of information we collect depend on how you use our services. For example, we may collect:

  • Contact Information: Your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address, either directly from you or through your Provider, to help us communicate with you and provide services.

  • Billing Information: This includes details like your insurance information, service dates, and invoices. We store this for you and your Provider to manage payments and billing.

  • Audio and Visual Information: If you use our Telehealth services, we may collect photos, video, or audio to help with your care. This also includes attachments in our Client Portal.

  • Internet and Device Information: We may collect browsing data, device details, and interaction information (anonymously) to help improve our services.

  • Profile Information: We may use the information we collect to understand your preferences and provide a more tailored service experience.

  • Appointment Information: We keep track of your appointments with your Provider (e.g., dates, times, locations) to help you and your Provider manage them.

  • Sensitive Personal Information: Your Provider may collect sensitive data such as health status, race, or sexual orientation, which we store to support their care for you. This is kept confidential and used according to privacy laws.

  • Authentication Information: If you log in through a third-party service like Google, we may collect basic information such as your name or email address to authenticate your identity.

We do not use any of this information for advertising purposes. It is only used to provide and improve our services and communicate with you about your care. You can contact us or your Provider for any questions about how your data is handled.

7. How We Use Your Personal Information

We use your Personal Information for the following purposes:

  • To Manage Your Client Profile: We use your information to maintain your profile, send you updates about the Client Portal, and provide any information you’ve requested.

  • To Assist with Support Requests: We use your information to respond to your questions or any support issues you might have.

  • To Process Billing: Your billing information is used to process transactions and payments within the Client Portal.

  • To Verify Your Identity: We use your information to confirm your identity and allow you to fill out and sign documents in the Client Portal.

  • To Improve Our Services: We analyze your usage of our services and the Client Portal to make improvements and measure effectiveness.

  • To Ensure Security: We monitor for security incidents and take steps to protect against fraud, illegal activity, or anything that might threaten the safety of our services.

  • To Meet Legal Requirements: We may use your information to comply with laws, respond to law enforcement requests, or protect your health and safety as required by law.

  • Other Purposes with Your Consent: We may also use your information for any other purpose if you agree to it.

7. Who We Share Your Data With

If you request a password reset, your IP address will be included in the reset email. We do not share your personal data with third parties except as necessary for administrative or legal purposes, or with your consent.

 We do not sell, rent or share your personal data for marketing/promotional/advertising purposes. We may share your personal information with trusted third-party service providers to help deliver our services. These third parties are required to protect your data and may only use it as we instruct. For more details, please see our Privacy policy. 

8. How Long We Retain Your Data

If you leave a comment, the comment and its metadata are retained indefinitely. This allows us to recognize and approve any follow-up comments automatically without holding them in a moderation queue.

For users who register on our website (if applicable), we store the personal information they provide in their user profile. All users can view, edit, or delete their personal information at any time, except for their username. Website administrators can also view and edit this information.

9. Your Rights Over Your Data

If you have an account on this site or have left comments, you can request to receive an exported file of the personal data we hold about you, including any data you have provided to us. You can also request that we erase any personal data we hold about you, except data we are required to keep for administrative, legal, or security purposes.

10. Opt-In and Opt-Out for Text Messages

We may communicate with you via text message for purposes such as appointment reminders, treatment updates, or administrative matters. By providing your phone number, you consent to receive text messages from us.

  • Opt-In: When you provide your phone number, you have the option to opt-in to receiving text messages. Your consent to receive text messages is entirely voluntary.
  • Opt-Out: You can opt out of receiving text messages at any time by replying “STOP” to any text message we send or by contacting our office directly at [Insert Phone Number or Email]. Once you opt out, you will no longer receive non-essential text messages, but you may still receive necessary communication via email or phone related to your care.

11. Where Your Data Is Sent

Visitor comments may be checked through an automated spam detection service. We ensure that any data you share with us is handled securely in accordance with applicable privacy laws.

12. Data Security

We implement appropriate administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect the confidentiality of your personal information and ensure its security. We are committed to maintaining compliance with HIPAA to safeguard your health information.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. When changes are made, the updated policy will be posted on this page with the “Effective Date” noted at the top. Please review this policy periodically for any updates.

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this privacy policy or wish to exercise your rights regarding your personal data, please contact us at:

North Shore Family Services
Phone: 847-668-94295
Email: Info@NorthShoreFamilyServices.com