Legal and Privacy Policy

Last updated: 11/25/2025

HARTH PSYCHIATRY, PLLC

PRIVACY POLICY

 

Privacy of Your Information

 

Welcome! You have arrived at an online service location HARTH PSYCHIATRY, PLLC connected with our Website.  Occasionally, in this Privacy Policy, HARTH PSYCHIATRY, PLLC is referred to as “we,” “us” or “our.”

 

This Privacy Policy governs your use of any online service location that posts a link to this Website, and also applies to your use of interactive features, widgets, plug‑ins, applications, content, downloads and other services (collectively the “Services”) that we own or control and make available through an online service or where we post a link to this Privacy Policy, regardless of how you access or use the Services, whether via personal computers, mobile devices or electronic media, etc.

 

Additionally, this Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use and disclose information about you in connection with your use of our services, including those offered through the Website at http://www.harthpsychiatry.com and/or http://www.harthpsych.com (“Website”). Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. If you do not agree to our terms, please do not register, subscribe, create an account, use the Website, or otherwise interact with us.

 

You agree that, by voluntarily providing personal information in connection with our Website, you consent and agree to our collection, use, and disclosure of your information as set forth in this Privacy Policy.  The Privacy Policy does not apply to products, services, websites, or content that are offered by persons or entities other than us.  

 

We respect the privacy of visitors to our Website. Please read this Privacy Policy carefully so that you understand what information we collect and what we do with that information. This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected online through the Website and does not describe the ways in which we may collect or use information obtained offline or through any other means.

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PRIVACY POLICY DOES NOT APPLY TO YOUR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION or (“PHI”). We may receive your PHI when you use this Website for certain functions or features. PHI is treated in accordance with our Notice of Privacy Practices, which is available at https://www.harthpsychiatry.com/Legal-and-Privacy-Policy/. If you have any questions about our use or disclosure of your PHI, please review the Notice of Privacy Practices.

 

PLEASE READ THE COOKIE STATEMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE USING OR OBTAINING ANY MATERIALS, INFORMATION, PRODUCTS OR SERVICES THROUGH THE SERVICE. BY ACCESSING THE SERVICE, YOU AGREE TO ACCEPT, WITHOUT LIMITATION OR QUALIFICATION, THE COOKIE STATEMENT BELOW.

 

We reserve the right to change, update, or correct any information contained in the Services at any time without notice by posting an amended statement to the Services. Your continued use of the Services means that you accept and agree to the revised Privacy Policy. If you do not accept this Privacy Policy (as amended from time to time), please exit the Website immediately.

 

To the extent we provide you notice on our Services of different or additional privacy policies or practices (e.g., at the point of our collection), those additional terms shall govern such data collection and use.

 

THE TYPES OF INFORMATION WE COLLECT

 

“Personal Information” is information that can be used to identify, locate, or contact an individual. It also includes other information that may be associated with Personal Information. In some cases, Personal Information is used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person, or to identify an individual in context. We collect the following types of Personal Information:

 

•      Contact Information that allows us to communicate with you, such as your name, postal addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers, or other addresses at which you receive communications from or on behalf of us.

•      Relationship Information that helps us to understand who you are and what types of services may interest you. This also covers you contacting us to share your concerns with us and for us to respond to you regarding what those concerns are.

We use Personal Information to:

•      Operate and improve our Website;

•      Evaluate the types of offers, products or services that may interest customers;

•      Provide customer support, including to our merchants or business partners;

•      Fulfill requests for our services;

•      Communicate and provide additional information that may be of interest to you about us including news, special offers and coupons, announcements, and marketing materials;

•      Send you reminders, technical notices, updates, security alerts and support and administrative messages service bulletins, or marketing;

•      Provide advertisements to you through the Website, email messages, text messages, applications, or other methods of communication;

•      Administer surveys, or other promotional activities or events sponsored by us; and/or

•      Manage our everyday business needs, such as Website administration, forum management, fulfillment, analytics, fraud prevention, enforcement of our corporate reporting obligations, Terms of Use or to comply with the law.

 

Any personally identifiable information you give us will be used only as permitted by law, including to provide the Services, product, service or information you have requested or to support the programs for which you registered. Unless you expressly consent to let us do so, your personally identifiable information, including your e-mail address, will not be sold, rented, licensed, or otherwise shared with third parties. Additionally, unless you expressly provide your consent or to fulfill a request from you, we won't send you any unsolicited e-mail.

 

The Cookie Statement

 

Like most businesses, we use cookies (and similar technologies) on our Services to facilitate and improve your digital experience (“Cookies”). As further described herein, Cookies are small pieces of information that are stored to your device when you visit our website or webpages. Data collected during the use of the mobile application is stored within the application. The data collected either through Cookies includes, but is not limited to, logging information regarding the characteristics or usage of your device, system and application software, user location data, your preferences and search queries. Collecting this data also enables us to better support the Services and optimize personalized content. Cookies may also be used to make advertising messages more relevant to you. The non-personally identifiable information we gather in aggregate form may be used to improve our Services.

 

When you visit the Services, we may place a temporary “session” or a permanent Cookie on your computer that will allow us to customize and enhance your experience of the Services, make improvements to our Services, or to report Services activity. Our session Cookies are not permanently stored on your computer and expire when you leave. Permanent Cookies are issued to Services visitors who link the Services from a search engine and are used only to permit us to attract qualified users to the Services. Our Cookies are not used to send spam. We store Cookie information in aggregate form and use the aggregate information to make improvements to the Services or in internal reports on Services activity. You may opt-out of allowing Cookies to be placed on your computer. Refusing Cookies disables our ability to include information about your visit in our regular monitoring of Services traffic.

 

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, we may also disclose your information if we believe in good faith that doing so is necessary or appropriate to: (i) protect or defend the rights, safety or property of ours or third parties (including through the enforcement of this Privacy Policy, and other applicable agreements and policies); or (ii) comply with legal and regulatory obligations (e.g., pursuant to law enforcement inquiries, subpoenas or court orders). To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, and without notice to you. we have sole and complete discretion to elect whether or not to make such disclosures, and to contest or not contest requests for such disclosures.

 

Third-Party Analytics Providers and Ad Servers

 

We may use third-party vendors to perform certain services on behalf of us or the Services, such as hosting the Services, designing and/or operating features of the Services, tracking activities of the Services, utilization of sharing technology that allows users to share content on the Website through social media, and analytics. We may provide these vendors with access to user information or they may directly collect your information to carry out the services they are performing for you or for us. Third-party analytics and other service providers may set and access their own tracking technologies on your device and they may otherwise collector have access to information about you potentially including Personal Information.

 

We may also work with certain third parties to provide us with information regarding traffic on the Services to serve advertisements elsewhere online, and to provide us with information regarding the use of our website or services and the effectiveness of our advertisements. These third parties may automatically collect information about you using their own cookies, pixels or other technologies, or may otherwise collect or have access to, information about your visits to this and other websites, your IP address, your ISP, the browser you use to visit our website and other usage information. Information collected may be used, among other things, to deliver advertising targeted to your interests and to better understand the usage and visitation of our Services and the other sites tracked by these third parties.

 

Controlling Your Personal Information

 

We think that you benefit from a more personalized experience when we know more about you and how you use our Website and our Services. However, you can limit the information you provide to us, and you can limit the communications that we send to you.

 

You may manage how your browser handles Cookies and related technologies by adjusting its privacy and security settings. Browsers are different, so refer to instructions related to your browser to learn about Cookie-related and other privacy and security settings that may be available.

 

You may manage how your mobile device and mobile browser share location information with us, as well as how your mobile browser handles Cookies and related technologies by adjusting your mobile device privacy and security settings. Please refer to instructions provided by your mobile service provider or the manufacturer of your device to learn how to adjust your settings.

 

You may also manage the sharing of certain Personal Information with us when you connect with us through a social media platform or application, such as Facebook. Please refer to the privacy settings of the social media website or application to determine how you may adjust our permissions and manage the interactivity between us and your social media account or your mobile device.

 

If you wish to opt-out of receiving offers or updates directly from us, you can follow the opt-out instructions in the emails that we send you.

 

Security of Personal Information

 

We use commercially reasonable controls that are designed to reasonably safeguard Personal Information consistent with applicable and governing laws. We implement a variety of security measures when a user enters, submits, or accesses their information to maintain the safety of your personal information.  However, please be aware that no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee the security of your personal information.  Accordingly, we make no promise, representation, or warranty regarding the security of your personal information or any other information or date collected, stored, used, or transmitted in connection with the Website, and you provide us with your information at your own risk.  

 

In the event that we become aware of unauthorized access to your Personal Information in a manner that exposes, or risks exposure of, your Personal Information in a manner that is inconsistent with this Privacy Policy, we will satisfy legal obligations to notify you and the other affected users, and display a notification on the Website, consistent and in accordance with our legal duties.  We also reserve the right to cooperate with any individual who pursues legally enforceable rights against data collectors and processors who fail to adhere to the law.

 

 

 

Sites We Link To

 

If you choose to use any of the links we provide to third-party resources, you understand that you are subject to the privacy policies at their sites.

 

What Should Parents Know About Children

 

We understand the importance of protecting children's privacy in the interactive world. Children should always get permission from their parents before sending any information about themselves (such as their names, email addresses, and phone numbers) over the Internet, to us or to anyone else. Our Website is not directed at children under 13 and we won't knowingly allow anyone under 13 to provide us any personally identifying information; if you're under 13, please don't use this Services and therefore don’t provide any information about yourself on this Website.

 

In the event that we become aware that we have collected Personal Information from any child, we will dispose of that information in accordance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act and other applicable laws and regulations. If you are a parent or guardian and you believe that your child under the age of 13 has provided us with information without your consent, please contact us at the email address set forth at the contact link on our website, and we will take reasonable steps to attempt to ensure that such information is deleted from our files.

 

Disclaimer

 

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS PRIVACY ACT NOTICE (18 U.S.C. 2701- 2711): We MAKE NO GUARANTY OF CONFIDENTIALITY OR PRIVACY OF ANY COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TRANSMITTED ON THE WEBSITE OR ANY OTHER WEBSITE LINKED TO THE WEBSITE. WE WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR THE PRIVACY OF INFORMATION, E-MAIL ADDRESSES, REGISTRATION, AND IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION, DISK SPACE, COMMUNICATIONS, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OR TRADE SECRET INFORMATION, OR ANY OTHER CONTENT TRANSMITTED OVER NETWORKS ACCESSED BY THE WEBSITE, OR OTHERWISE CONNECTED WITH YOUR USE OF THE WEBSITE.

 

Updates

 

We reserve the right to amend and update this Policy from time to time. By continuing to use our Website after any such changes, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the updated Policy and agree to be bound by it.

 

If you have any questions about this Policy, please contact us at 312-620-4072  (phone) or harthpsych@gmail.com (email).

 

 

 

HARTH PSYCHIATRY, PLLC USER AGREEMENT

This agreement ("user agreement" or "agreement") is between HARTH PSYCHIATRY, PLLC ("we", "our" or "us") and you. This agreement sets the terms of your use of our website and services (collectively, the “Website”).

This agreement is a binding legal contract between you and us. By using our Website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. If you do not agree to this agreement, you should not use the Website.

Without advance notice and at any time, we may, for violations of this agreement or for any other reason we choose in our sole discretion: (1) suspend your access to the Website, (2) suspend or terminate your ability to access or use the Website, (3) and/or pursue any other legal rights and remedies we have relating to your violation of this Agreement.

We reserve the right to monitor the Website, and your use of the services we provide on the Website means you agree to such monitoring. At the same time, we do not guarantee we will monitor at all.

You may not use the Website to conduct transactions for any illegal goods or services.

To use certain features of the Website, you may be required to create an account that includes a username and password ("Your Account") and, if you want to be able to reset your password or have us contact you, an email address as well.

You are solely and exclusively responsible for the information associated with Your Account and anything that happens related to Your Account.

You may not license, transfer, sell, or assign Your Account without our written approval.

The Website may contain graphics, text, photographs, images, video, audio, software, code, website compilation, website "look and feel," and advertisements supplied by us or our licensors, which we call "Our Content." Our Content is protected by intellectual-property laws including copyright and other proprietary rights of the United States and foreign countries.

We grant you the right to access Our Content in the manner described in this agreement. You may not otherwise make unauthorized commercial use of, reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute copies, perform, or publicly display Our Content, except as permitted by the doctrine of fair use or as authorized in writing by us.

We are not responsible for the content or actions of any third-party websites or services associated with posted links, or any other adverse consequences suffered by you or any other Website visitors due to the use of any hyperlinks posted to our site. You agree to take sole legal responsibility for any links you post or visit, and neither this agreement nor our privacy policy applies to any content on other websites related to those links. You should consult the terms and privacy policies of those other websites to understand your rights.

Please read the following very carefully. Each of the following sections applies to the maximum extent permitted by law. Where jurisdictions do not allow disclaimers of implied warranties or the limitation of liability in contracts, the contents of this section may not apply.

Waiver of Liability. We will not be legally liable for any of your actions that infringe the law or the rights of a third party or person in any way. Specifically, you agree to hold us, its affiliates, officers, directors, shareholders, members, mangers, employees, agents, and third party service providers harmless from and indemnify and defend them from and against any and all claims, costs, damages, losses, expenses, and any other liabilities, including attorneys’ fees and costs, arising out of or related in any manner to your access to or use of the Website, your violation of this user agreement, your violation of the rights of any third party or person, and/or any of your actions or inactions.

No Warranties.  THE WEBSITE AND OUR CONTENT ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE AND OUR AFFILIATES AND THIRD-PARTY SERVICE PROVIDERS DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF PROPRIETARY RIGHTS, ANY STANDARDS OF CARE RELATED TO THE WEBSITE AND OUR CONTENT, AND/OR ANY OTHER WARRANTY, CONDITION, GUARANTEE OR REPRESENTATION, WHETHER ORAL OR ELECTRONIC.  YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPUTER OR MOBILE DEVICE, LOSS OF USE, OR LOSS OF YOUR USER CONTENT.  YOU FURTHER AGREE THAT WE DO NOT AND CANNOT PROMISE OR WARRANT THAT ANY ASPECT OF OUR WEBSITE IS FREE OF VIRUSES OR ANY HARMFUL OR DESTRUCTIVE CODE OR MALWARE. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING SUFFICIENT PROCEDURES AND PROCESSES TO MONITOR AND ADDRESS YOUR DATA AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS, AND TO BACK-UP AND RECOVER ANY DATA IN YOUR POSSESSION OR CONTROL.  WE WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS, CLAIM, DAMAGE, OR LIABILITY ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO ANY DATA BREACH, INCIDENT, OR MALWARE THAT MAY INFECT YOUR INFORMATION SYSTEMS OR DATA DUE TO YOUR ACCESS TO OR USE OF OUR WEBSITE.  SUBJECT TO AND WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, WE ALSO DO NOT WARRANT OR GUARANTEE THAT THE WEBSITE WILL ALWAYS WORK PROPERLY.

Limitation of Liability. WE WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, RELIANCE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR YOUR USE OF OR ATTEMPT TO USE THE WEBSITE, INCLUDING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, GOODWILL, USE, OR DATA. This limitation on liability shall not be affected even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some states do not allow for the exclusion of implied warranties or the limitation or exclusion of liability for incidental or consequential damages, so the above exclusions may not apply to you. You may have other rights that vary from state to state.

You agree to release us, our affiliates, and third-party service providers, and each associated director, employee, agents, and officers, from claims, demands and damages (actual and consequential), of every kind and nature, known and unknown, disclosed or undisclosed, arising out of or in any way connected to your use of the Website. 

Personal Information and Privacy.  To access or use the Website, you may be asked to provide certain personal information.  We may use this information to improve site performance, to advertise, and for other business purposes.  You agree that all information you provide to register with the Website or otherwise is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is linked here, and you agree and consent to all actions we take with respect to your information consistent with our Privacy Policy.

If you choose, or are provided with, a user name, password, or any other information as part of our security procedures, you must treat such information as confidential, and you must not disclose it to any other person or entity.  You also agree that your account is personal to you and that you will not provide any other person or entity with access to the website or portions of it.  You further agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized access to or use of your user name or password or any other breach of security.  You also agree to not access your account from a public or shared computer so that others cannot view or record your password or other information that is personal to you.

You Waive Any Class-Action Claim.  Any proceedings to resolve or litigate any dispute in any forum will be conducted solely on an individual basis.  Class arbitrations, class actions, private attorney general actions, consolidation of your dispute with other arbitrations, or any other proceeding in which either party acts or proposes to act in a representative capacity are not permitted and are waived by you, and an arbitrator will have no jurisdiction to hear such claims.

If a court finds that the class-action waiver in this section is unenforceable as to all or some parts of a dispute, then the class action waiver will not apply to those parts.  Instead, those parts will be severed and proceed in a court of law, with the remaining parts proceeding in arbitration.  If any other provisions of this dispute resolution section is found to be illegal or unenforceable, that provision will be severed with the remainder of this section remaining in full force and effect.

Notices.  We want you to enjoy the Website, so if you have an issue or dispute, you agree to raise it and try to resolve it with us informally. You can contact us with feedback and concerns here or by emailing us at the contact address set forth in our Website.

Governing Law.  Any claim or dispute between you and us arising out of or relating to this user agreement, in whole or in part, shall be governed by the laws of the State of Illinois without respect to its conflict of law provisions. We agree, and you agree, to submit to the personal jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal court located in Cook County, Illinois.  PLEASE NOTE THAT BY AGREEING TO THIS USER AGREEMENT, YOU ARE: (1) WAIVING CLAIMS THAT YOU MIGHT OTHERWISE HAVE AGAINST US BASED ON THE LAWS OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS, INCLUDING YOUR OWN; (2) IRREVOCABLY CONSENTING TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF, AND VENUE IN, STATE OR FEDERAL COURTS IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS OVER ANY DISPUTES OR CLAIMS YOU HAVE WITH US; AND (3) SUBMITTING YOURSELF TO THE PERSONAL JURISDICTION OF COURTS LOCATIONS IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS FOR THE PURPOSE OF RESOLVING ANY SUCH DISPUTES OR CLAIMS. 

Severability.  If any provision of this user agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be modified to the extent necessary to render it enforceable without losing its intent. If no such modification is possible, that provision will be severed from the rest of this agreement.

Assignment.  We may assign this contract at any time without notice to you.  You may not assign this contract to anyone else.

Acceptance.  Registrations, agreements, and terms presented by us electronically to you have the same effect as one in writing and are legally enforceable as a signed writing.  You also consent to receive all communications regarding the Website electronically from us.

Effectiveness of Communication.  The delivery of any communication from us is effective when sent by us, regardless of when you receive or read the communication.  In addition, we are not responsible for communications that do not reach you if you have not provided us with your current contact information.

Release of Information.  We may be required by law to release information to a third party about your account, including the content of e-mail.  Except as prohibited by law, we will send you notice if we plan to comply with a civil subpoena related to your account.  You agree to hold us harmless for the release of any information related to your account in connection with a civil subpoena including, but not limited to, any claims that you did not receive notice of the civil subpoena from us.

Non-waiver.  If we do not enforce any right or provision in this user agreement, that is not to be deemed a waiver of our right to do so in the future.

Entire Agreement; Amendment.  This user agreement is the entire agreement between you and us concerning the Website. It supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements between you and us. We may modify this user agreement at any time. If we make changes to this agreement that materially affect your rights, we will provide advance notice and keep this edition available as an archive on the Website. By continuing to use the Website after a change to this agreement, your continued use shall constitute your agreement to those changes.

This user agreement is effective as of November 24, 2025.

 

 

 

 

health insurance portability and accountability act (“HIPAA”) Notice of Privacy Practices (“Notice”)

 

This Notice describes how information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information.  It further details how you or your personal representative may gain access to this information.  Please review carefully. 

 

This Notice describes how HARTH PSYCHIATRY, PLLC (“Practice”) and our health care providers, employees, volunteers, trainees and staff may use and disclose your medical information to carry out treatment, payment or health care operations and for other purposes that are described in this Notice.  We understand that medical information about you and your health is personal, and we are committed to protecting medical information about you.  This Notice applies to all records of your care generated by this practice.

 

This Notice also describes your right to access and control your medical information.  This information about you includes demographic information that may identify you and that relates to your past, present and future physical or mental health or condition and related health care services. Typically, your medical information will include symptoms, examination and test results, diagnoses, treatment and a plan for future care or treatment. We are required by law to protect the privacy of your medical information and to follow the terms of this Notice.  We may change the terms of this Notice at any time.  The new Notice will then be effective for all medical information that we maintain at that time and thereafter.  We will provide you with any revised Notice if you request a revised copy be sent to you in the mail or if you ask for one when you are in the office.

 

I.         Uses and Disclosures of Protected Health Information (“PHI”).  Your medical information may be used and disclosed for purposes of treatment, payment and health care operations.  The following are examples of different ways we use and disclose medical information.  These are examples only.

 

(a)  Treatment.  We may use and disclose medical information about you to provide, coordinate, or manage your medical treatment or any related services.  This includes the coordination or management of your health care with a third party that has already obtained your permission to have access to your medical information.  For example, we could disclose your medical information to a home health agency that provides care to you.  We may also disclose medical information to other health care providers who may be treating you, such as a health care provider to whom you have been referred to ensure that the health care provider has the necessary information to diagnose or treat you.  In addition, we may disclose your medical information to another health care provider, such as a laboratory.

 

(b)  Payment.  We may use and disclose medical information about you to obtain payment for the treatment and services you receive from us.  For example, we may need to provide your health insurance plan information about your treatment plan so that they can make a determination of eligibility or to obtain prior approval for planned treatment, such as disclosing relevant medical information to the health plan to obtain approval for hospital admission.

 

(c)  Health Care Operations.  We may use or disclose medical information about you in order to support the business activities of our practice.  These activities include, but are not limited to, reviewing our treatment of you, employee performance reviews, training of personnel, medical students, licensing, marketing and fundraising activities and conducting or arranging for other business activities.  For example, we may use a sign-in sheet at the registration desk where you will be asked to sign your name and indicate your health care provider.  We may also call you by name in the waiting room when your health care provider is ready to see you.  We may use or disclose your medical information to remind you of your next appointment.  We may share your medical information with third party “business associates” that perform activities on our behalf, such as billing or transcription for the practice.  Whenever an arrangement between our office and a business associate involves the use or disclosure of your medical information, we will have a written contract that contains terms that asks the “business associate” to protect the privacy of your medical information.  We may use or disclose your medical information to provide you with information about treatment alternatives, case management or other health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you.  We may also use and disclose your medical information for other marketing activities.  For example, your name and address may be used to send you a newsletter about our practice and the services we offer, or a prescription refill reminder may be sent to you for a prescription you are currently prescribed or its generic equivalent.  We may also send you information about products or services that we believe may be beneficial to you.  You may contact our Privacy Contact to request that these materials not be sent to you.  We may use or disclose your demographic information and the dates that you received treatment from your health care provider, as necessary, in order to contact you for fundraising activities supported by our office.  If you do not want to receive these materials, please contact our Privacy Contact to request that these fundraising materials not be sent to you.

 

(d)  Health Information Exchange.  We, along with certain other health care providers and practice groups in the area, may participate in a health information exchange (“Exchange”).  An Exchange facilitates electronic sharing and exchange of medical and other individually identifiable health information regarding patients among health care providers that participate in the Exchange.  Through the Exchange, we may electronically disclose demographic, medical, billing and other health-related information about you to other health care providers that participate in the Exchange and request such information for purposes of facilitating or providing treatment, payment or health care operations.

 

II.        Other Permitted and Required Uses and Disclosures That May Be Made with Your Consent, Authorization or Opportunity to Object.  We may use and disclose your medical information in the following instances.  You have the opportunity to agree or object to the use or disclosure of all or part of your medical information.  If you are not present or able to agree or object to the use or disclosure of the medical information, then your health care provider may, using professional judgment, determine whether the disclosure is in your best interest.  In this case, only the medical information that is relevant to your health care will be disclosed.

 

(a)  Others Involved in Your Health Care.  Unless you object, we may disclose to a member of your family, a relative or close friend your medical information that directly relates to that person’s involvement in your health care.  If you are unable to agree or object to such a disclosure, we may disclose such information if we determine that it is in your best interest based on our professional judgment.  We may use or disclose medical information to notify or assist in notifying a family member or any other person that is responsible for your care of your location, general condition or death.  Finally, we may use or disclose your medical information to an entity assisting in disaster relief efforts and to coordinate uses and disclosures to family or other individuals involved in your health care.

 

(b)  Emergencies.  We may use or disclose your medical information for emergency treatment.  If this happens, we shall try to obtain your consent as soon as reasonable after the delivery of treatment.  If the practice is required by law to treat you and has attempted to obtain your consent but is unable to do so, the practice may still use or disclose your medical information to treat you.

 

(c)  Communication Barriers.  We may use and disclose your medical information if the practice attempts to obtain consent from you but is unable to do so due to substantial communication barriers and, in our professional judgment, you intended to consent to use or disclosure under the circumstances.

 

III.      Other Permitted and Required Uses and Disclosures That May Be Made Without Your Consent, Authorization or Opportunity to Object.  We may use or disclose your medical information in the following situations without your consent or authorization.  These situations include:

 

(a)  Required by Law.  We may use or disclose your medical information when federal, state or local law requires disclosure.  You will be notified of any such uses or disclosure.

 

(b)  Public Health.  We may disclose your medical information for public health activities and purposes to a public health authority that is permitted by law to collect or receive the information. This disclosure will be made for the purpose of controlling disease, injury or disability.

 

(c)  Communicable Diseases.  We may disclose your medical information, if authorized by law, to a person who may have been exposed to a communicable disease or may otherwise be at risk of contracting or spreading the disease or condition.

 

(d)  Health Oversight.  We may disclose medical information to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law, such as audits, investigations, inspections and licensure.  These activities are necessary for the government agencies to oversee the health care system, government benefit programs, other government regulatory programs and civil rights laws.

 

(e)  Abuse or Neglect.  We may disclose your medical information to a public health authority that is authorized by law to receive reports of child / elder abuse or neglect.  In addition, we may disclose your medical information to the governmental entity authorized to receive such information if we believe that you have been a victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence as is consistent with the requirements of applicable federal and state laws.

 

(f)  Food and Drug Administration.  We may disclose your medical information to a person or company required by the Food and Drug Administration to report adverse events, product defects or problems, biologic product deviations, track products; to enable product recalls; to make repairs or replacements, or to conduct post marketing surveillance, as required.

 

(g)  Legal Proceedings.  We may disclose medical information in the course of any judicial or administrative proceeding, when required by a court order or administrative tribunal, and in certain conditions in response to a subpoena, discovery request or other lawful process.

 

(h)  Law Enforcement.  We may disclose medical information, so long as applicable legal requirements are met, for law enforcement purposes.  These law enforcement purposes include:  (i) responding to a court order, subpoena, warrant, summons or otherwise required by law; (ii) identifying or locating a suspect, fugitive, material witness or missing person; (iii) pertaining to victims of a crime; (iv) suspecting that death has occurred as a result of criminal conduct; (v) in the event that a crime occurs on the premises of the practice; and (vi) responding to a medical emergency (not on the Practice’s premises) and it is likely that a crime has occurred.

 

(i)  Coroners, Funeral Directors, and Organ Donors.  We may disclose medical information to a coroner or medical examiner for identification purposes, determining cause of death or for the coroner or medical examiner to perform other duties authorized by law.  We may also disclose medical information to funeral directors as necessary to carry out their duties.

 

(j)  Research.  We may use and disclose your medical information for research purposes in certain limited circumstances.  We will obtain your written authorization to use your PHI for research purposes except when an Internal Review Board (“IRB”) or Privacy Board has determined that the waiver of your authorization satisfies the following:  (i) the use or disclosure involves no more than a minimal risk to your privacy based on the following:  (A)  an adequate plan to protect the identifiers from improper use and disclosure; (B) an adequate plan to destroy the identifiers at the earliest opportunity consistent with the research (unless there is a health or research justification for retaining the identifiers or such retention is otherwise required by law); and (C) adequate, written assurances that the PHI will not be re-used or disclosed to any other person or entity (except as required by law) for authorized oversight of the research study, or for other research for which the use or disclosure would otherwise be permitted; (ii) the research could not practicably be conducted without the waiver; and (iii) the research could not practicably be conducted without access to and use of the PHI.

 

(k)  Criminal Activity.  Consistent with applicable federal and state laws, we may disclose your medical information, if we believe that the use or disclosure is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a person or the public.  We may also disclose medical information if it is necessary for law enforcement authorities to identify or apprehend an individual.

 

(l)  Organ and Tissue Donation.  If you are an organ donor, we may release medical information to organizations that handle organ procurement or organ, eye or tissue transplantation or to an organ donation bank, as necessary to facilitate organ or tissue donation and transplantation.

 

(m)  Military Activity and National Security.  If you are a member of the armed forces, we may use or disclose medical information, (i) as required by military command authorities; (ii) for the purpose of determining by the Department of Veterans Affairs of your eligibility for benefits; or (iii) for foreign military personnel to the appropriate foreign military authority.  We may also disclose your medical information to authorized federal officials for conducting national security and intelligence activities, including for the protective services to the President or others legally authorized.

 

(n)  Workers’ Compensation.  We may disclose your medical information as authorized to comply with workers’ compensation laws and other similar programs that provide benefits for work-related injuries or illness.

 

(o)  Inmates.  We may use or disclose your medical information if you are an inmate of a correctional facility and our practice created or received your health information in the course of providing care to you.

 

(p)  Required Uses and Disclosures.  Under the law, we must make disclosures to you and when required by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate or determine our compliance with the requirements of Section 164.500, et seq.

 

(q)  Imminent Threat to Health and Safety.  As allowed by law, we may make disclosures of medical information if we believe you pose a risk to your own health and safety or the health and safety of another person.

 

IV.       The Following Is a Statement of Your Rights with Respect to Your Medical Information and a Brief Description of How You May Exercise These Rights.

 

(a)  You have the right to inspect and copy your medical information.  This means you may inspect and obtain a copy of medical information about you that has originated in our practice.  We may charge you a reasonable fee for copying and mailing records.  To the extent we maintain any portion of your PHI in electronic format, you have the right to receive such PHI from us in an electronic format.  We will charge no more than actual labor cost to provide you electronic versions of your PHI that we maintain in electronic format.  After you have made a written request to our Privacy Contact at the address designated below, we will have thirty (30) days to satisfy your request.  If we deny your request to inspect or copy your medical information, we will provide you with a written explanation of the denial.  You may not have a right to inspect or copy psychotherapy notes.  In some circumstances, you may have a right to have the decision to deny you access reviewed.  Please contact the Privacy Contact if you have any questions about access to your medical record.

 

(b)  You have the right to request a restriction of your medical information.  You may ask us not to use or disclose part of your medical information for the purposes of treatment, payment or health care operations.  You may also request that part of your medical information not be disclosed to family members or friends who may be involved in your care or for notification purposes as described in this Notice.  You must state in writing the specific restriction requested and to whom you want the restriction to apply.  You have the right to restrict information sent to your health plan or insurer for products or services that you paid for solely out-of-pocket and for which no claim was made to your health plan or insurer.

 

(c)  We are not required to agree to your request.  If we believe it is in your best interest to permit use and disclosure of your medical information, your medical information will not be restricted; provided, however, we must agree to your request to restrict disclosure of your medical information if:  (i) the disclosure is for the purpose of carrying out payment or health care operations and is not otherwise required by law; and (ii) the information pertains solely to a health care item or service for which you (and not your health plan) have paid us in full.  If we do agree to the requested restriction, we may not use or disclose your medical information in violation of that restriction unless it is needed to provide emergency treatment.  Your written request must be specific as to what information you want to limit and to whom you want the limits to apply.  The request should be sent, in writing, to our Privacy Contact.

 

(d)  You have the right to request to receive confidential communications from us at a location other than your primary address.  We will try to accommodate reasonable requests.  Please make this request in writing to our Privacy Contact.

 

(e)  You may have the right to have us amend your medical information.  If you feel that medical information we have about you is incorrect or incomplete, you may request we amend the information.  If you wish to request an amendment to your medical information, please contact our Privacy Contact.  In certain cases, we may deny your request for an amendment.  If we deny your request for amendment, you have the right to file a statement of disagreement with us.

 

(f)  You have the right to receive an accounting of disclosures we have made, if any, of your medical information.  This applies to disclosures for purposes other than treatment, payment or health care operations as described in this Notice.  It excludes disclosures we may have made to you, family members or friends involved in your care, or for notification purposes.  To receive information regarding disclosures made for a specific time period no longer than six (6) years and after April 14, 2003, please submit your request in writing to our Privacy Contact.  We will notify you in writing of the cost involved in preparing this list.  To the extent we maintain your PHI in electronic format, you may request an accounting of all electronic disclosures of your PHI for treatment, payment, or health care operations for the preceding three (3) years prior to such request.

 

(g)  Uses and Disclosures of Protected Health Information Based upon Your Written Authorization.  Other uses and disclosures of your medical information not covered by this Notice or required by law will be made only with your written authorization.  For example, the following uses and disclosures require your authorization: (1) Most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes; (2) Uses and disclosures of PHI for marketing purposes unless the communication (i) occurs face-to-face; (ii) consists of marketing gifts of nominal value; (iii) is regarding a prescription refill reminder that is for a prescription currently prescribed or a generic equivalent; (iv) is for treatment pertaining to existing condition(s) and we do not receive any financial remuneration in either cash or cash equivalent; and/or (v) communication from us to recommend or direct alternative treatments, therapies, health care providers or settings of care when we do not receive any financial remuneration for making the communication; and (3) Disclosures that constitute a sale of PHI and other than those described in this Notice, require authorization.  You may revoke this authorization at any time, except to the extent that our practice has taken an action in reliance on the use or disclosure indicated in the prior authorization.

 

(h)  Right to be Notified of a Breach.  You have the right to be notified in the event that our practice (or a Business Associate of ours) discovers a breach of unsecured protected health information.

 

(i)  Complaints:  You may complain to us or to the Secretary of Health and Human Services if you believe your privacy rights have been violated, as follows: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by sending a letter to 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201, calling 1-877-696-6775, or visiting https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint/index.html. You may file a complaint with us by notifying our Privacy Contact in writing.  We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

 

IV.  State Law.  Applicable state law(s) may have certain requirements that govern the use or disclosure of your PHI.  In order for us to release information about mental health treatment, genetic information, your AIDS/HIV status, alcohol or drug abuse treatment, or other specific medical information or conditions, you may be required to sign an authorization form unless state law allows us to make the specific type of use or disclosure without your authorization. 

 

V.  Applicability.  This Notice and the obligations of Practice herein shall apply only to the extent that the information to be created, used and/or disclosed by Practice is PHI (as defined by HIPAA) and subject to HIPAA protections. By providing this Notice, Practice is neither conceding nor admitting that any such information qualifies as PHI.

 

VI.  Substance Abuse Treatment. We are required to protect the privacy and security of your substance use disorder patient records in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 290dd–2 and 42 C.F.R. Part 2, the Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records (“Part 2”), in addition to HIPAA and applicable state law. You may report suspected violations to the U.S. Attorney for the judicial district in which the violation occurs. Contact information for the U.S. Attorney office where we operate is below: 

U.S. Attorney Office Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, 219 S. Dearborn St., Suite 500, Chicago, Ill. 60604; (312) 353-5300.

Suspected violations by an opioid treatment program may be reported to the Substance Use and Mental  Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Opioid Treatment Program Compliance Office by phone at 204-276-2700 or online at OTP-extranet@opiod.samhsa.gov.

 

 

YOU MAY CONTACT US THROUGH OUR PRIVACY CONTACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

NAME: Dr. Motaz Alshami                                       TELEPHONE: 312 620 4072

 

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 24, 2025

 

Mobile SMS Messaging Privacy Policy:

 

Information collected

We may collect information, such as name, phone number, and email address.

Use of information collected

We may use the information we collect to perform the services requested including billing, customer service, appointment reminders and other administrative requests.

Sharing of information collected

We may share information we collect with payment processors, legal authorities, partners so that these service providers can perform their normal duties. We do not share, sell, rent, or trade any information provided with third parties for promotional purposes.

As a current or prospective customer, you understand that you can text us STOP at any time to opt out of receiving SMS text messages from us. You can text us HELP at any time to receive help.

You understand that the messaging frequency may vary. Messaging & data rates may apply.

Your mobile information will not be shared with any third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All policies are followed as per CTIA guidelines 5.2.1. At any time if you want your information to be removed, you can contact us via our email address or regular mail."

Messaging Terms & Conditions

You agree to receive informational messages (appointment reminders, account notifications, etc.) from Harth Psychiatry PLLC. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. For help, reply HELP or email us at harthpsych@gmail.com. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP.