Privacy Policy
Pediatric Healthcare Associates (PHCA) respects your family's privacy. This policy explains how we collect, use and protect your child's and your information when you use our services.
Pediatric Healthcare Associates ("PHCA," "we," "us," or "our") operates offices in Altoona and Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania, and the website phcaaltoona.com (the "Service"). We respect your privacy and it is important to us. This policy applies to in-office visits, our website, our patient portal, and telephone assistance, collectively referred to as our "Services." By using our Services, you accept the practices described in this policy.
Information We Collect
We collect several types of information to provide, coordinate and improve the care we deliver.
Personal Information
We may ask you to provide certain personally identifiable information, including but not limited to:
- Patient and guardian name, date of birth, and contact details (address, phone, email)
- Insurance information and billing details
- Emergency contact information
Health Information
As a pediatric medical practice, we also collect protected health information ("PHI") necessary to diagnose and treat your child, including medical history, immunization records, visit notes, lab results, and prescriptions. This information is handled under HIPAA — see the section below.
Website & Usage Data
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect standard log data such as browser type, pages visited, and time spent, to help us maintain and improve the site.
Use of Data
Pediatric Healthcare Associates uses the information we collect to:
- Provide, coordinate, and manage your child's medical care
- Schedule and remind you of appointments
- Process insurance claims and billing
- Communicate lab results, referrals, and follow-up instructions
- Comply with legal and regulatory recordkeeping requirements
- Improve our website, services, and patient experience
HIPAA & Protected Health Information
PHCA is a HIPAA-covered entity. Your child's medical records are protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Our full HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices — available at our front desk or by request — describes in detail how PHI may be used and disclosed, and your rights regarding that information.
In general, we use and disclose PHI only for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations, or as otherwise permitted or required by law, and only the minimum information necessary.
Transfer of Data
Your information, including PHI, may be transferred to — and maintained on — computers and systems located outside of your state, used by PHCA or our business associates (such as our electronic medical records and patient portal provider), where data protection laws may differ. We take reasonable steps to ensure your data is treated securely wherever it is processed, consistent with this policy and HIPAA.
Disclosure of Data
We may disclose your information in the following circumstances:
- To specialists or hospitals as part of care coordination and referrals, with appropriate authorization
- To insurance providers for billing and claims processing
- To comply with a legal obligation, court order, or valid request by public authorities
- To protect the safety of a patient or the public, as permitted by law
- To business associates who perform services on our behalf, under HIPAA-compliant agreements
Security of Data
The security of your data is important to us. We use administrative, technical and physical safeguards — including encrypted electronic medical records, restricted staff access, and secure facilities — to protect your information. However, no method of electronic storage or transmission is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Children's Privacy
As a pediatric practice, nearly all of the personal and health information we collect relates to children under 18. We collect this information directly from parents or legal guardians in the course of providing medical care, consistent with HIPAA and applicable Pennsylvania law regarding minors' health information. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children through our website without parental involvement.
Do Not Track
We do not currently respond to "Do Not Track" browser signals. You can control cookies through your browser settings; note that disabling cookies may affect some website functionality.
Links to Other Sites
Our website and patient communications may contain links to third-party sites, such as our patient portal (eClinicalWorks) or hospital affiliates. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third-party sites, and we encourage you to review their privacy policies separately.
Your Rights
Under HIPAA, you (or your child's legal guardian) generally have the right to:
- Request access to and copies of your child's medical records
- Request corrections to inaccurate information
- Request an accounting of certain disclosures
- Request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures
- Receive a paper copy of our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices upon request
To exercise any of these rights, please contact our office directly using the information below.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact us:
- Phone: (814) 944-7383 (Altoona) or (814) 224-2555 (Roaring Spring)
- Email: phca5@yahoo.com
- Mail: 615 6th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602