Introduction
Rafaela Schmidit, IBCLC ("I," "me," or "my") is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how I collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit my website latchoncare.com or use my lactation consulting services.
Information I Collect
Personal Information
I may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide, including:
- Name, email address, and phone number
- Mailing address (for in-home visits)
- Insurance information (if applicable)
- Payment information
Health Information
As a healthcare provider, I may collect protected health information (PHI) including:
- Medical history relevant to lactation
- Information about your pregnancy, birth, and baby
- Breastfeeding assessments and care plans
- Progress notes from consultations
Automatically Collected Information
When you visit my website, certain information may be automatically collected, including:
- Browser type and version
- Operating system
- Pages visited and time spent on pages
- Referring website addresses
How I Use Your Information
I use the information collected to:
- Provide lactation consulting services
- Schedule and confirm appointments
- Process payments and insurance claims
- Communicate with you about your care
- Send appointment reminders
- Respond to inquiries and provide customer support
- Improve my website and services
- Comply with legal obligations
HIPAA Compliance
I am committed to protecting your health information in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Your protected health information (PHI) is handled with the highest level of confidentiality and security.
For more details about how I protect your health information, please review my Notice of Privacy Practices.
Information Sharing
I do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. I may share your information in the following circumstances:
- With your consent: When you explicitly authorize disclosure
- Healthcare providers: To coordinate your care (e.g., pediatricians, OB-GYNs) with your permission
- Insurance companies: For billing purposes when you use insurance coverage
- The Lactation Network: If you use their services for insurance billing
- Legal requirements: When required by law or to protect rights and safety
Data Security
I implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal and health information, including:
- HIPAA-compliant scheduling and communication platforms
- Encrypted data transmission
- Secure storage of electronic health records
- Limited access to personal information
Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Access your personal and health information
- Request corrections to inaccurate information
- Request restrictions on certain uses of your information
- Receive a copy of your health records
- File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated
Cookies and Tracking
My website may use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience. You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences.
Third-Party Links
My website may contain links to third-party websites. I am not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. I encourage you to review their privacy policies.
Children's Privacy
My services are intended for adults. I do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without parental consent.
Changes to This Policy
I may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will be indicated by the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page.
Contact Me
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or my privacy practices, please contact me:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (650) 262-1506