OVERVIEW

Balance Health is committed to protecting your privacy and developing technology that provides you with a beneficial and safe online experience. This Privacy Policy explains how Balance Health collects, uses, discloses, and otherwise processes personal information in connection with our website (balancehealth.com) and other websites we own and operate that link to this Privacy Policy (collectively, the “Sites”), and the related content, platform, services, products, and other functionality offered on or through our services (collectively, the “Services”). By using this website, you consent to the data practices described in this statement.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION:
This Privacy Policy does not apply to the collection, use, and disclosure of your protected health information (“PHI”). Please refer to our separate HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices for information about how Balance Health collects, uses, and discloses your protected health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). That notice is provided to patients and is available at all Balance Health practice locations. It may also be requested by emailing by email at privacy@balancehealth.com.

1. SCOPE AND APPLICATION

This Privacy Policy applies to:

• Visitors to our Sites
• Users of our Services, including patient portals and applications
• Individuals who contact us or communicate with us
• Job applicants and employment candidates
• Business partners and vendors

This Privacy Policy does not apply to:

• Protected health information covered by HIPAA (see our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices)
• Third-party websites, applications, plugins, web browsers, or services that we do not own or control (ex. Facebook, Instagram, Google, ChatGPT, and other applications, services, plugins, web browsers, websites, code, tracking pixels, and beyond that Balance Health does not control)
• Information collected by our partner practices that maintain separate privacy policies

2. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

2.1 Personal Information You Provide to Us

We collect personal information that you provide directly to us, including:

Contact Information: First and last name, email address, mailing address, telephone number, and communication preferences.

Account Information: Username, password, and account preferences when you create an account on our patient portal or other platforms.

Appointment and Scheduling Information: Appointment requests, preferred locations, preferred providers, and scheduling preferences (Note: Clinical information related to your appointment is protected health information covered by our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices).

Payment Information: Billing address and payment method information. We use third-party payment processors to handle credit card transactions, and we do not store complete credit card numbers. Our payment processors’ use of your information is governed by their privacy policies.

Communications and Inquiry Information: Information you provide when you contact us through forms, email, phone, chat, or social media, including the content of your messages and any attachments.

Survey and Feedback Information: Responses to surveys, feedback forms, testimonials, and reviews you choose to provide.

Newsletter and Marketing Information: Email address, name, areas of interest, and communication preferences when you sign up for our newsletters or marketing communications.

Event Registration Information: Information you provide when registering for educational events, webinars, seminars, or other programs we offer.

Employment Application Information: Resume, cover letter, contact information, educational background, work history, professional certifications, references, interview notes, and any other information you provide when applying for employment with Balance Health.

Business Partner Information: Contact details, company information, and other business-related information when you engage with us as a vendor, partner, or business contact.

2.2 Information We Collect Automatically

When you visit our Sites or use our Services, we automatically collect certain information through tracking code and similar technologies which may include some or all of the following:

Device and Usage Information:

• Internet Protocol (IP) address
• Browser type and version
• Device type, model, and operating system
• Unique device identifiers
• Pages visited and links clicked
• Time and date of visits
• Referring website addresses
• Search terms used to find our Sites

Location Information: General geographic location derived from your IP address or device location services.

Analytics Information: Information about how you interact with our Sites and Services, including pages viewed, time spent on pages, navigation paths, and features used.

Cookie Information: Data collected through cookies, web beacons, pixels, and similar tracking technologies. See our Cookie Notice below for more details.

2.3 Information We Collect from Third Parties

We may receive personal information about you from third parties, including:

• Balance Health Partner Practices: Information from podiatry practices and medical facilities within the Balance Health network.
• Healthcare Providers and Referral Sources: Information from referring physicians and other healthcare providers (subject to applicable healthcare privacy laws).
• Social Media Platforms: When you interact with our social media pages or share our content, we may receive information that you permit the social network to share, such as your profile information, posts, and engagement data.
• Marketing and Analytics Providers: Information from third-party marketing platforms, advertising networks, and analytics services that help us understand user behavior and improve our Services.
• Data Brokers and Public Sources: Publicly available information and data from third-party data providers to supplement the information we collect.
• Professional Recruitment Platforms: Information from job posting sites, professional networks (such as LinkedIn), and recruitment agencies when you apply for positions or express interest in employment opportunities.
• Business Partners: Information from our community partners, co-marketing partners, and other business relationships.

3. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

We use the personal information we collect for the following purposes:

3.1 Service Delivery and Operations

• To provide, maintain, and improve our Services
• To process and fulfill your requests, including appointment scheduling (non-clinical aspects)
• To communicate with you about your use of our Services
• To provide customer support and respond to inquiries
• To manage your account and authenticate your identity
• To process transactions and send related information
• To administer surveys, perform research, and for promotional activities

3.2 Marketing and Communications

• To send you newsletters, educational materials, and health and wellness information
• To provide information about our services, special offers, and updates
• To deliver targeted advertising and marketing communications based on your interests
• To analyze the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns
• To personalize your experience on our Sites and Services

3.3 Analytics and Improvement

• To monitor and analyze usage trends and user behavior
• To improve and optimize our Sites, Services, and user experience
• To develop new products, services, and features
• To conduct research and analysis
• To test and evaluate new technologies

3.4 Employment and Recruitment

• To evaluate your qualifications for employment
• To conduct background checks and verify information (with your consent where required)
• To communicate with you about employment opportunities
• To manage the recruitment and onboarding process
• To comply with employment-related legal obligations

3.5 Legal and Security

• To detect, prevent, and address fraud, security issues, and technical problems
• To protect the rights, property, and safety of Balance Health, our employees, patients, business partners, website users, and others
• To enforce our Terms of Service and other agreements
• To comply with legal obligations and respond to legal requests
• To resolve disputes and enforce our legal rights

3.6 Business Operations

• To manage our business relationships with partners and vendors
• To conduct internal business operations and administration
• To maintain business records and documentation
• To facilitate corporate transactions such as mergers or acquisitions

We may also use de-identified or aggregated information that does not identify you personally for any purpose, including research, analytics, and business development.

4. HOW WE SHARE YOUR INFORMATION

We may share your personal information in the following circumstances:

4.1 Within the Balance Health Network

We may share information among Balance Health entities and our affiliated partner practices for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy.

4.2 Service Providers

We share personal information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, including:

• Website hosting and maintenance providers
• Payment processors and billing services
• Patient communication service providers (ex. For appointment confirmations or reminders)
• Marketing and advertising platforms
• Analytics and data analysis services
• Customer relationship management (CRM) systems
• Online chat, forms, or other third party systems that facilitate communication
• Applicant tracking systems and recruitment platforms
• IT support and security services
• Research and feedback collection services

These service providers are contractually and legally obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes for which it was disclosed.

4.3 Healthcare Operations

We may share information with:

• Insurance companies and health plans for billing and coverage verification (in accordance with HIPAA)
• Healthcare providers and facilities for care coordination and referrals
• Medical billing and claims processing services
• Healthcare quality improvement organizations

4.4 Marketing and Advertising Partners

We may share personal information with advertising networks and marketing partners to:

• Deliver targeted advertisements on third-party websites and platforms
• Measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns
• Provide you with relevant content and offers
• Create custom audiences and lookalike audiences for marketing purposes

4.5 Social Media Platforms

When you interact with our social media pages or use social media features on our Sites, information may be shared with social media platforms in accordance with their privacy policies.

4.6 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, sale of assets, bankruptcy, or other business transaction, your personal information may be transferred to the acquiring or surviving entity.

4.7 Legal Requirements

We may disclose personal information when required by law or in response to:

• Court orders, subpoenas, or other legal processes
• Requests from government agencies or law enforcement
• Legal investigations or proceedings
• National security or law enforcement requirements

4.8 Protection of Rights

We may disclose personal information to:

• Protect the rights, property, and safety of Balance Health, our employees, patients, our users, and others
• Detect, prevent, or address fraud, security, or technical issues
• Enforce our Terms of Service and other agreements
• Investigate potential violations of our policies

4.9 With Your Consent

We may share your information with third parties when you have given us explicit consent to do so.

Important Note: Balance Health does not sell personal information for monetary consideration. However, some data sharing practices described above, particularly with advertising and marketing partners, may be considered “sharing” under certain state privacy laws. See Section 9 for information about your rights and how to opt out.

5. COOKIES AND TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES

5.1 Types of Cookies We Use

Strictly Necessary Cookies: These cookies are essential for the operation of our Sites and Services, enabling core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility.

Functional Cookies: These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization, such as remembering your preferences and settings.

Analytics and Performance Cookies: These cookies help us understand how visitors use our Sites by collecting information about pages visited, time spent on pages, and navigation patterns. We use services such as Google Analytics for this purpose.

Marketing and Advertising Cookies: These cookies track your browsing activity across websites to deliver relevant advertisements and measure campaign effectiveness. They are used by advertising networks such as Google Ads and Facebook.

5.2 Specific Technologies We Use

Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to analyze website traffic and user behavior. You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on available at https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout/.

Google Ads and Google Marketing Platform: We use Google’s advertising services to display ads on third-party websites and measure ad performance. You can manage your Google Ads settings at https://adssettings.google.com/.

Call Tracking: We use call tracking technologies to analyze the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns and improve customer service.

Chatbots and AI Tools: We may use AI-powered chatbots and similar tools to provide customer service and collect information about your inquiries.

5.3 Your Cookie Choices

Browser Settings: Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through browser settings. You can set your browser to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent.

Cookie Consent Tool: When you first visit our Sites, you will be presented with a cookie consent banner allowing you to accept or decline non-essential cookies. You can modify your preferences at any time.

Opt-Out Links:

• Google Analytics: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout/
• Google Ads: https://adssettings.google.com/
• Network Advertising Initiative: https://optout.networkadvertising.org/
• Digital Advertising Alliance: https://optout.aboutads.info/

Do Not Track: Some browsers have a “Do Not Track” feature. We currently do not respond to Do Not Track signals.

6. DATA RETENTION

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

• Marketing Information: We retain marketing contact information until you opt out or request deletion, or if the information has been inactive for an extended period.
• Account Information: We retain account information for as long as your account is active and for a reasonable period thereafter to comply with legal obligations and requirements.
• Employment Applications: We retain employment application information for the duration of the hiring process and, if not hired, for up to two years.
• Business Records: We retain business and financial records in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, typically for seven years or longer.
• Legal Holds: We may retain information for longer periods when required for legal proceedings or investigations.

7. DATA SECURITY

Balance Health implements reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. Our security measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology
• Secure servers located in controlled environments
• Access controls and authentication mechanisms
• Regular security assessments and vulnerability testing
• Employee training on data privacy and security
• Contracts with service providers requiring appropriate security measures

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. While we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.

8. CHILDREN’S PRIVACY

Our Sites and Services are not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will delete that information promptly.

9. YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS

Depending on your state of residence, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

9.1 General Rights Available in Multiple States

• Right to Know/Access: Request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected.
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions. Email privacy@balancehealth.com.
• Right to Correct: Request correction of inaccurate personal information.
• Right to Opt Out: Opt out of sharing for cross-context behavioral advertising.
• Right to Limit Use of Sensitive Personal Information: Limit our use and disclosure of sensitive personal information.
• Right to Non-Discrimination: Right to not be discriminated against for exercising privacy rights.
• Right to Appeal: If we deny your privacy request, you may have the right to appeal.

9.2 State-Specific Rights

California Residents: California residents have rights under the CCPA as amended by the CPRA. California residents also have the right to request information about our data practices in the preceding 12 months.

Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, Montana Residents: Residents of these states have similar rights including the right to opt out of targeted advertising.

Illinois Residents: Rights under BIPA if we collect biometric information.

Washington Residents: Rights under the Washington My Health My Data Act regarding consumer health data.

Nevada Residents: May opt out of the sale of covered personal information.

9.3 How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, you may:

• Email us at: privacy@balancehealth.com or call 833-277-3668.

  9.5 Email Marketing Opt-Out

  You may opt out of receiving marketing emails by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any marketing email or emailing privacy@balancehealth.com.

10. THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES AND SERVICES

Our Sites may contain links to third-party websites, applications, and services that are not owned or controlled by Balance Health. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those sites. Examples include Social media platforms, Payment processors, and Patient portal providers.

11. INTERNATIONAL USERS

Balance Health operates in the United States and our Sites and Services are intended for users located in the United States. We do not currently offer our Services to residents of the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, or Switzerland.

12. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the “Last Updated” date and notify you by email if requested. Your continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

13. CONTACT US

Email: privacy@balancehealth.com or call 833-277-3668.

ADDITIONAL STATE PRIVACY NOTICES

Residents of Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, Montana, Nevada, and Washington have specific rights as outlined in Section 9 of this policy.