Zwell, PC (Zwell Dental)
Effective Date: January 20, 2026
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR PRIVACY
Zwell, PC (“Zwell Dental,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your health information. We comply with applicable federal and state laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”).
We are required by law to:
- Maintain the privacy of your protected health information (“PHI”);
- Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices;
- Follow the terms of this Notice while it is in effect; and
- Notify affected individuals following a breach of unsecured PHI.
This Notice applies to all records created or received by Zwell Dental relating to your care.
HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE HEALTH INFORMATION
We may use and disclose your protected health information (“PHI”) for a variety of purposes, including treatment, payment, and healthcare operations. The descriptions below provide examples of how we may use and disclose PHI; these examples are intended to illustrate our practices and are not exhaustive.
In the course of providing dental care, we may receive health information that you disclose or that is received from other healthcare providers, including information relating to medical conditions, medications, mental health conditions, substance use history or recovery, or infectious diseases such as HIV.
Certain categories of information may be subject to additional protections under applicable state or federal law. Where such laws apply, we comply with all applicable requirements.
Treatment.
We may use and disclose PHI for the purpose of providing, coordinating, or managing your dental treatment and related healthcare services. For example, we may disclose PHI to specialists, laboratories, or other healthcare providers involved in your care to ensure continuity and coordination of treatment.
Payment.
We may use and disclose PHI to obtain payment for services provided to you. Payment activities may include billing, collections, claims management, and determinations of eligibility or coverage with you, your insurance carrier, or another responsible party.For example, we may send claims to your dental health plan containing certain health information.
Healthcare Operations.
We may use and disclose PHI for healthcare operations, including quality assessment and improvement activities, training, licensing, auditing, legal services, and business management. We may share PHI with third-party business associates who perform services on our behalf, and we require those business associates to protect your information.
Appointment Reminders and Communications.
We may call you by name in the waiting area and may contact you by telephone, mail, email, or text message regarding appointments, billing matters, or care coordination, consistent with your stated communication preferences.
OTHER USES AND DISCLOSURES PERMITTED OR REQUIRED BY LAW
We may use or disclose PHI as permitted or required by law, including for:
- Individuals involved in your care or payment for your care
- Disaster relief efforts
- Public health activities
- Health oversight activities
- Law enforcement purposes
- Judicial or administrative proceedings
- Research approved by appropriate review boards
- Coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors
- Workers’ compensation and similar programs
- National security and military activities
- Limited fundraising communications (with opt-out rights)
USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRING YOUR WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION
Your written authorization is required for:
- Use or disclosure of psychotherapy notes
- Use or disclosure of PHI for marketing
- Sale of PHI
- Any other use or disclosure not described in this Notice, unless otherwise permitted or required by law
You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent that we have already relied on it.
SPECIAL CONFIDENTIALITY PROTECTIONS FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RECORDS
Certain records related to substance use disorder (“SUD”) treatment may be subject to additional federal confidentiality protections under 42 C.F.R. Part 2.
Zwell Dental does not provide substance use disorder treatment services. However, if records subject to Part 2 protections are received or maintained (for example, through patient disclosure or coordination of care), such records will be used and disclosed only as permitted by applicable federal law. Certain disclosures may require specific patient consent, and redisclosure may be restricted.
YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
You have the right to:
- Access and obtain copies of your PHI
- Request amendments to your PHI
- Receive an accounting of certain disclosures
- Request restrictions on uses or disclosures (with limited required exceptions)
- Request confidential communications
- Receive notification of breaches of unsecured PHI
- Obtain a paper copy of this Notice at any time
Fees for copies may apply as permitted by law.
CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE
We may revise this Notice from time to time. Any revised Notice will apply to all PHI we maintain and will be made available in our office and on our website.
QUESTIONS AND COMPLAINTS
If you have questions about this Notice or believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may contact us or file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We will not retaliate for filing a complaint.
Privacy Official:
Name: Michelle Seliger-Schamberg (Practice Manager, Zwell, PC)
Address: 802 Constitution Ave., Littleton, MA 01460.
(978) 501-2222 | smile@zwelldental.com
