Privacy Policy

Pacific Skin Institute

Privacy Policy & SMS Terms of Service (HIPAA Compliant)

Last Updated: March 17, 2026

Pacific Skin Institute and its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively “Pacific Skin Institute,” “PSI,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information and protected health information.

This policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information obtained through our:

• Websites
• Online forms
• SMS/text messaging services
• Email communications
• Patient intake systems
• Social media platforms
• Other services operated by Pacific Skin Institute

This policy should be read together with our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, which governs how we use and disclose Protected Health Information (PHI).

SMS Terms of Service

By providing your mobile phone number to Pacific Skin Institute through a website form, patient registration, employment application, or other medium, you consent to receive SMS text messages from Pacific Skin Institute.

These messages may include:

• Appointment reminders
• Appointment confirmations or scheduling updates
• Account notifications
• Administrative communications
• Patient care coordination messages
• Customer support communications
• Limited marketing messages (where legally permitted)

Message Frequency

Message frequency varies depending on your interaction with Pacific Skin Institute.

Message and Data Rates

Message and data rates may apply according to your wireless carrier plan.

Opt-Out Instructions

You may opt out at any time.

Reply:

• STOP to unsubscribe
• HELP for assistance

After opting out, you will no longer receive SMS messages unless you re-subscribe.

Consent Is Not Required for Care

Consent to receive SMS messages is not a condition of receiving medical care or services from Pacific Skin Institute.

Important Healthcare Communication Notice

SMS and standard email messaging may not be fully encrypted and may carry some risk of unauthorized access.

By providing your phone number and opting into SMS communications, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

Pacific Skin Institute will limit the amount of health information included in SMS messages whenever possible.

For sensitive communications involving detailed medical information, we may use:

• Secure patient portals
• Encrypted email systems
• Secure telehealth platforms

Patients may request alternative communication methods at any time.

HIPAA Compliance and Protected Health Information (PHI)

Pacific Skin Institute complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and applicable privacy and security regulations.

Protected Health Information (PHI) includes any information relating to:

• An individual’s health condition
• Healthcare services received
• Payment for healthcare
• Information that can identify the individual

PHI may be collected through:

• Appointment scheduling
• Patient registration forms
• Medical consultations
• Electronic communications
• Patient portals
• Healthcare billing systems

Pacific Skin Institute uses PHI only as permitted under HIPAA, including for:

Treatment

Providing, coordinating, and managing healthcare services.

Payment

Billing, claims processing, and insurance verification.

Healthcare Operations

• Quality improvement
• Staff training
• Compliance monitoring
• Administrative activities

Business Associates

Pacific Skin Institute may use third-party service providers that handle protected health information on our behalf.

Examples include:

• Electronic medical record providers
• Messaging platforms
• Billing vendors
• Analytics providers
• IT service providers

Where required by HIPAA, Pacific Skin Institute enters into Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) with these vendors requiring them to protect PHI.

Personal Information We Collect

Depending on your interaction with us, we may collect:

Contact Information

• Name
• Phone number
• Email address
• Mailing address

Patient Information

• Appointment details
• Medical history information submitted through forms
• Insurance information
• Communications with providers

Technical Information

• IP address
• Browser type
• Device identifiers
• Usage information

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our websites may use:

• Cookies
• Pixels
• Analytics tools
• Device identifiers

These technologies help us:

• Improve site performance
• Personalize content
• Analyze usage patterns

You may disable cookies through browser settings.

Analytics

We may use analytics services such as Google Analytics to understand website usage patterns.

More information:

https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites

Opt-out:

https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

Disclosure of Personal Information

Pacific Skin Institute does not sell personal information.

Information may be shared with:

Affiliates and Subsidiaries

For healthcare and administrative operations.

Service Providers

• Website operation
• Messaging services
• Payment processing
• Analytics

These vendors must maintain appropriate privacy safeguards.

Legal Authorities

Information may be disclosed when required by:

• Subpoenas
• Court orders
• Regulatory investigations
• Legal compliance obligations

Security Safeguards

Pacific Skin Institute uses reasonable administrative, physical, and technical safeguards including:

• Encrypted communications where appropriate
• Access controls
• Workforce training
• Security monitoring
• HIPAA compliance procedures

Despite these protections, no system can guarantee absolute security.

Data Retention

We retain personal information and PHI only as long as necessary for:

• Healthcare services
• Operational requirements
• Legal obligations
• Regulatory compliance

Medical records are retained in accordance with California healthcare record retention laws.

California Privacy Rights (CCPA / CPRA)

• The right to know what personal information we collect
• The right to request deletion of personal information
• The right to correct inaccurate information
• The right to limit use of sensitive personal information
• The right to non-discrimination

Certain medical information governed by HIPAA may be exempt from CPRA requirements.
Requests may be submitted to:

admin@psiderm.com

Children’s Privacy

Pacific Skin Institute does not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 16 without parental consent.
If we become aware of such collection, we will delete the information promptly.

Third-Party Links

Our websites may contain links to third-party websites.
Pacific Skin Institute is not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically.
The most recent version will always be posted on our website with the updated revision date.