1. Introduction

Morning Star Mental Health ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information when you visit morningstarmentalhealth.com or use our services, including therapy, telehealth, and group therapy. Please read this policy carefully. If you disagree with its terms, please discontinue use of our website.

This policy applies to information collected on our website and through related communications. It does not apply to Protected Health Information (PHI) governed by our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, which is a separate document.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide, including:

Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address
Insurance information and billing details
Appointment scheduling information
Messages or inquiries submitted through our contact forms
Information provided when creating an account on our patient portal

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

IP address and browser type
Pages visited, time spent on pages, and links clicked
Device identifiers and operating system
Referring URL and search terms used to find our site

This information is collected through cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies.

2.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. You may disable cookies through your browser settings; however, some features of the site may not function properly if you do so. We do not sell or share cookie data with third-party advertisers.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

Respond to your inquiries and schedule appointments
Provide, operate, and improve our website and services
Send appointment reminders, follow-up communications, and administrative notices
Process billing and insurance claims
Comply with legal and regulatory obligations
Protect against fraudulent, unauthorized, or illegal activity

We do not use your personal information for marketing purposes without your explicit consent.

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share information in limited circumstances:

Service Providers: We may share information with vendors who assist us in operating our website and delivering services (e.g., scheduling software, payment processors, telehealth platforms). These vendors are contractually required to protect your information.

Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or government authority, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of our patients and staff.

Business Transfers: If our practice is acquired or merges with another entity, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to the same privacy protections.

Protected Health Information (PHI) is governed separately by our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.

5. Telehealth Services

We offer telehealth services via secure, HIPAA-compliant video platforms. By using telehealth services, you consent to the electronic transmission of health-related communications. We take reasonable steps to ensure the security of these communications, but no electronic transmission is completely secure.

6. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Our staff undergoes regular training on data privacy and security.

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your information.

7. Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies independently.

8. Children's Privacy

Our website is not directed to children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us immediately.

9. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal retention requirements.
Opt-Out: Opt out of non-essential communications at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@morningstarmentalhealth.com.

10. Utah Privacy Law

If you are a Utah resident, you may have additional rights under the Utah Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA), including the right to access, delete, and opt out of the sale of your personal data. We do not sell personal data. To make a request under the UCPA, contact us using the information below.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the updated policy on our website with a revised effective date. Your continued use of our website after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

Practice: Morning Star Mental Health

Website: morningstarmentalhealth.com

Email: info@morningstarmentalhealth.com

If you have concerns about how we handle your Protected Health Information, please refer to our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.