Empath Medical Innovations, Inc. Privacy Policy
Notice of Privacy Practices & Privacy Policy
Effective Date: October 1, 2026
Organization: Empath Medical Innovations, Inc ("Company," "we," "us," or "our")
Address: 354 Lincoln Parkway, Buffalo, NY 14216]
Contact: Andrew Talal, MD, MPH, Privacy and Compliance Officer
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL AND IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED BY OUR MANAGEMENT SERVICES ORGANIZATION AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
1. Our Commitment to Your Privacy
As a healthcare Management Services Organization (MSO) operating in New York State, we provide administrative, billing, management, and technology support services to affiliated healthcare provider practices and entities. We understand that your health and personal information is sensitive. We are committed to protecting your Protected Health Information (PHI) and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, and applicable New York State laws (such as New York Public Health Law and Mental Hygiene Law where applicable).
2. How We May Use and Disclose Your Information
As an MSO, we typically process information on behalf of covered entity healthcare providers. We may use or disclose your PHI for the following purposes without your prior written authorization:
- Treatment: To coordinate or manage your medical care and related services among authorized healthcare professionals.
- Payment: To assist affiliated practices with billing, claims processing, insurance verifications, and collection activities.
- Healthcare Operations: For administrative functions, quality assessment, peer review, legal services, compliance audits, customer service, and business planning.
- Business Associates: We may share your information with third-party vendors ("Business Associates") who perform administrative tasks for us (e.g., IT hosting, billing software, legal consultation). We require all Business Associates to sign strict contracts agreeing to safeguard your information.
- Required by Law & Public Safety: When required by federal, state, or local law, or for public health oversight, judicial proceedings, law enforcement purposes, or to avert a serious threat to health and safety.
Any other uses and disclosures not described herein will be made only with your written authorization, which you may revoke in writing at any time. Note regarding mobile data: Mobile numbers and information collected for text messaging (SMS/RCS) reminders or alerts will never be shared or sold to third parties for marketing purposes.
3. Your Rights Regarding Your Information
Under federal and New York law, you have specific rights concerning your health information:
- Right to Inspect and Copy: You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your health and billing records.
- Right to Request Restrictions: You can ask us not to use or disclose certain PHI for treatment, payment, or operations.
- Right to Request Confidential Communications: You can request that we communicate with you about your health matters in a specific way or at a specific location.
- Right to Amend: You may ask us to amend health information you believe is incorrect or incomplete.
- Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You can request a list of instances where we disclosed your PHI outside of standard treatment, payment, or operations.
4. Questions and Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a formal complaint with us or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
To contact our Privacy and Compliance Officer or to exercise your rights, please reach out to:
- Contact: Andrew Talal, MD, MPH, Privacy and Compliance Officer
- Phone: 646-318-8434
- Email: atalal@empathmedical.com
- Mail: 354 Lincoln Parkway, Buffalo, NY 14216