Purpose
This policy explains how our office collects, uses, and protects your personal and medical information and describes
our communications practices (phone, voicemail, email, patient portal, and SMS/text messaging). It also contains the
SMS Terms & Conditions that govern text communications between you and Lone Star Pulmonary and Sleep Specialists
PLLC.

1. Confidentiality and Protected Health Information (PHI)
We are committed to protecting your privacy consistent with HIPAA. PHI includes any information that identifies you
and relates to your health, healthcare services, or payment. We will only use or disclose PHI as permitted or required
by law.

2. Types of Information We Collect
We collect the minimum information necessary to provide care, bill for services, and communicate with patients. This
may include:

Personal & Contact Information
- Full name, date of birth, gender
- Home, mailing, and email addresses
- Phone numbers (home, work, mobile)
- Emergency contact information

Medical Information
- Medical history, diagnoses, medications, allergies
- Laboratory and imaging results, clinical notes, treatment plans
- Referrals, care coordination records

Administrative & Billing Information
- Insurance provider and policy numbers
- Payment history and billing statements
- Appointment history, scheduling preferences
- Signed consent forms and communication preferences

Other Data Collected for Communications / SMS
- Mobile phone number(s) provided for SMS and voice messaging
- Device or carrier metadata necessary to deliver messages (e.g., routing info)
- (If applicable and only with consent) location data limited to what you provide or permit

3. How We Use Collected Information
We use collected information for legitimate healthcare purposes including, but not limited to:
- Providing medical treatment and coordinating care
- Processing claims and billing (treatment, payment, healthcare operations)
- Scheduling, appointment reminders, and administrative communications
- Improving patient service and office operations (e.g., quality improvement, patient outreach)
- Complying with legal, regulatory, or public health reporting requirements
- Communicating about services related to your care (with your authorization for sensitive info)
We do not use or process more information than is reasonably necessary for these purposes.

4. Practices for Sharing Information (Third-Party Sharing)
We respect your privacy and limit disclosure of your information as follows:

No marketing resale or sharing:
- We will not sell, rent, or share your phone number or other personal information with third parties for marketing or
promotional purposes.

Permitted disclosures:
- We may disclose necessary information to:
- Your insurance company for claims processing and payment
- Other healthcare providers involved in your care (e.g., labs, specialists) to coordinate treatment
- Business associates and service providers who perform services on our behalf (e.g., secure SMS providers, billing
processors, EHR vendors)
- Authorities when required by law (e.g., court orders, mandatory public health reporting)

What we share and why:
- When sharing with service providers we limit the information to what is necessary for them to perform their
function
- We require Business Associate Agreements and other safeguards to ensure HIPAA-level protections where
applicable.

5. Communication Methods We Use
We may contact you by phone, voicemail, email, patient portal, postal mail, or SMS/text messaging as described in this
policy.

6. Text Messaging (SMS) Policy — Overview
Text messaging is convenient but is not considered fully secure. By providing your mobile number, you authorize Lone
Star Pulmonary and Sleep Specialists PLLC to send you SMS messages regarding appointment reminders, administrative
notices, billing reminders, etc. under the terms below. We will not transmit sensitive medical details via SMS unless
you explicitly authorize such transmissions in writing.

7. SMS Terms & Conditions
These SMS Terms & Conditions should be included either in your Privacy Policy or as a stand-alone SMS Terms &
Conditions document.
1. SMS Consent Communication
Phone numbers and information obtained as part of the SMS consent process will not be shared with third parties for
marketing purposes.

2. Types of SMS Communications
If you consent to receive text messages from Lone Star Pulmonary and Sleep Specialists PLLC, you may receive
messages related to:
- Appointment reminders and confirmations
- Scheduling changes or cancellations
- Patient care and follow-up reminders
- Billing, payment reminders, and insurance notifications
- Office announcements (e.g., closures, urgent notices)

3. Message Frequency
Message frequency may vary depending on your interactions with our office. For example, you may receive up to 1-2
SMS messages per week related to customer care, appointment reminders, billing, etc.

4. Potential Fees for SMS Messaging
Standard message and data rates from your wireless carrier may apply.

5. Opt-In Method
You may opt in by:
- Checking the SMS consent box on an online or paper form
- Providing your mobile number verbally and confirming consent
- Submitting an online form explicitly consenting to SMS communications

6. Opt-Out
You may opt out at any time by replying STOP to any SMS message you receive from us. You may also opt out by
contacting our office directly.

7. Help
For assistance, reply HELP to any message, or contact our office at 940-381-0971.

8. Standard Messaging Disclosures
- Message & data rates may apply.
- Reply STOP to opt out.
- Reply HELP for assistance
- Message frequency may vary

8. SMS Privacy Policy Statement
SMS opt-in phone numbers are not shared with third parties or affiliate companies for marketing purposes. Phone
numbers and SMS data are only used to provide communications described in this policy or through vetted service
providers under contract and subject to privacy safeguards.

9. Security Measures
We maintain administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect PHI and communication data. SMS vendors
are under contractual safeguards consistent with HIPAA standards.

10. Patient Responsibilities & Limits of SMS
Keep your contact info up to date. Avoid sending sensitive health details via text unless specifically authorized. Notify
the office if your phone is lost or stolen.

11. Opting Out & Changing Preferences
You can opt out of SMS or email anytime (see “Opt-Out” above). Changes may take effect within a short processing
period.

12. Contact & Privacy Officer
Lone Star Pulmonary and Sleep Specialists PLLC
Privacy Officer: Ben Doroodchi
Address: 3200 Colorado Blvd #200, Denton, TX 76210
Phone: 940-381-0971
Email: clinic@lonestarpulmonarysleep.com