PRIVACY POLICY

Effective Date: February 1, 2026

Information We
Collect

How We Use and Disclose Information

SMS Communications & HIPAA Compliance

SMS Data Handling

Safeguards for Your Information

Your Rights Under
HIPAA

Express Care Medical Group (“Express Care,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to maintaining the privacy and security of your Protected Health Information (“PHI”) in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”), applicable state laws, and other regulatory requirements.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information, including communications conducted via SMS (text messaging).

Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of information:

  • Identifying information (name, phone number, email address)

  • Appointment, scheduling, and care coordination information

  • Information submitted through online forms or patient portals

  • Communication preferences, including SMS opt-in consent

  • Health-related information necessary to provide care (PHI).

How We Use and Disclose Information

We use and disclose information only as permitted by HIPAA, including for:

Treatment

To provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare and related services.

Payment

To bill and collect payment for healthcare services.

Healthcare Operations

For quality assessment, care coordination, administrative functions, and compliance activities.

Communications

To contact you regarding:

  • Appointment confirmations and reminders

  • Medical service notifications

  • Follow-up communications related to your care

  • Customer support inquiries

SMS Communications & HIPAA Compliance

If you provide consent to receive SMS communications from Express Care, text messages may be used solely for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations purposes, as permitted under HIPAA.

Mobile opt-in, SMS consent, and phone numbers collected for SMS communication purposes will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing purposes.

SMS communications are not used for marketing and do not include promotional messaging.

SMS Data Handling

Introduction
Express Care Medical Group is committed to protecting your privacy and safeguarding your SMS contact and message data. We do not sell or share SMS data with third parties.

Collection and Use of SMS Data
When you communicate with Express Care Medical Group via SMS, we may collect:

  • Your phone number

  • Message content

This information is used solely to respond to inquiries and provide customer support and services. We will not use your data for any other purposes without your consent.

Protection of SMS Data
We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your SMS data from unauthorized access or disclosure.

Disclosure of SMS Data
We do not disclose your SMS data to third parties except as required by law or to protect the rights and safety of our organization or users.

Your Rights
You may request access to, correction, or deletion of your SMS data, except where retention is required by law. For assistance, contact us at support@expresscare.ai.

Data Retention
We retain SMS data for 90 days based on operational and legal requirements.

Safeguards for Your Information

We maintain appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction, including:

  • Secure communication systems

  • Access controls and role-based permissions

  • HIPAA-trained staff and contractors

  • Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) with vendors as required

Your Rights Under HIPAA

You have the right to:

  • Request access to your medical records

  • Request corrections to your PHI

  • Request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures

  • Receive an accounting of disclosures, as applicable

  • File a complaint without fear of retaliation

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information below.

Opting Out of SMS Communications

SMS participation is voluntary. You may:

  • Decline SMS messages by not selecting the consent option on our forms

  • Opt out at any time by replying STOP

  • Request assistance by replying HELP

Opting out of SMS communications will not affect your ability to receive care.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy as permitted by law. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.

Contact Information

Express Care Medical Group
📞 Phone/Text: (559) 578-8844