HIPAA Privacy Policy

At Pinnacle, we're clinicians first. That means your health information exists to do one thing: support better care. We don't collect data to sell, analyze for trends across thousands of patients, or hand to third parties. We collect it because understanding your equipment, your therapy, and your home environment helps us keep you safe.

This policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, who can see it, and what rights you have. We keep it straightforward because you deserve to understand how your data is handled.

What Information We Collect

Equipment and Therapy Information

When we set up your equipment or conduct maintenance visits, we document:

  • Ventilator settings and mode (invasive or non-invasive)

  • Alarm thresholds and safety parameters

  • Oxygen levels, pressure readings, and equipment performance

  • Battery backup status and emergency supplies

  • How you're tolerating therapy and any adjustments needed

  • Equipment maintenance records and service history

Why: This helps us catch problems before they become emergencies. If your ventilator alarm is set incorrectly or your backup battery isn't charged, we need to know.

Health and Clinical Information

We collect information necessary to understand your respiratory needs:

  • Your diagnosis and reason for ventilator support

  • Current medications and allergies

  • Other medical conditions that affect your equipment needs

  • Communication from your physician about your care plan

  • Any barriers to care (physical, environmental, logistical)

Why: Complex respiratory care requires clinical judgment. We can't help you effectively without understanding your full situation.

Contact and Home Information

  • Your name, address, phone number, and email

  • Emergency contact information

  • Your insurance information for billing

  • Preferred communication method and times

  • Information about your home setup (room layout, electrical capacity, accessibility)

Why: We need to know how to reach you, where to deliver equipment, and whether your home can safely support your equipment and therapy.

What We Don't Collect

  • Sensitive personal information unrelated to your respiratory care

  • Financial information beyond what insurance requires

  • Data about other family members (unless they're caregivers for your equipment)

  • Browsing history or online tracking

How We Use Your Information

Patient Care and Safety

Everything we collect goes toward one goal: keeping you safe and your equipment working properly. We use your information to:

  • Set up and maintain your equipment correctly

  • Respond to emergency calls and equipment problems

  • Monitor equipment performance and alert you to issues

  • Work with your physician on adjustments or changes

  • Plan maintenance before problems develop

  • Prepare for equipment upgrades or transitions

Coordination With Clinical Providers

When appropriate, we share clinical information with respiratory therapists, nurses, and other clinical providers involved in your care to:

  • Ensure consistent clinical assessment across your care team

  • Access specialized respiratory therapy expertise for complex cases

  • Coordinate equipment decisions with clinical judgment

  • Provide continuity if you transition between services

All clinical providers have privacy obligations and professional ethics requirements that protect your information.

Communication With You

We may contact you about:

  • Equipment maintenance schedules and appointments

  • Important safety information or recalls

  • Supply reorders and equipment performance questions

  • Billing questions or insurance coordination

  • Follow-up on clinical concerns or recommendations

We use the communication method you prefer (phone, email, text) unless it's a safety emergency.

What We Don't Do

  • We don't sell your information to other companies

  • We don't use your data for marketing beyond our own services

  • We don't share clinical information with insurance without your consent (except as required for billing)

  • We don't use automated decision-making about your care

  • We don't combine your data with other patients' data for analysis

Who Has Access to Your Information

Pinnacle Team Members

Clinicians and staff who work directly with you or support your care have access to your full information. This includes respiratory therapists, delivery staff, billing, and patient support.

Healthcare Providers

Your physician and other providers on your care team can access relevant information with proper authorization. We don't share without your consent unless the law requires it.

Insurance Companies

We provide information necessary for billing and claims processing. This is limited to equipment, dates of service, and relevant clinical information needed to justify coverage.

Emergency Services

In a medical emergency, paramedics and emergency departments may need immediate access to your ventilator settings and critical health information. We prioritize your safety.

Government and Legal

We may be required to disclose information to:

  • Government agencies (CMS, state health departments) for licensing and compliance

  • Courts, if legally required by subpoena or court order

  • Law enforcement, if required by law and relevant to patient or public safety

We don't disclose more than legally necessary and will inform you when possible.

Data Security

How We Protect Your Information

We use reasonable security measures to protect your information:

  • Paper records are stored securely and access is limited

  • Electronic records are encrypted and password-protected

  • Only authorized staff access patient information

  • We don't leave documents or devices unattended in patient homes

  • Secure disposal of records (shredding, certified destruction)

What You Can Do

  • Keep your contact information current so we can reach you securely

  • Report any security concerns immediately: Info@ThePinnacleHomecare.com

  • Don't share your account information or equipment settings with unauthorized people

  • Let us know if you suspect a breach or unauthorized access

If we discover a breach affecting your information: We will notify you promptly, notify relevant authorities if required, and work with you to prevent harm.

Your Rights

Access Your Records

You can request a copy of your medical records at any time. We'll provide them in a reasonable timeframe (typically 10-15 business days).

Request Corrections

If you believe information in your records is incorrect or incomplete, you can request we amend it. If we disagree, we'll document your concern in your record.

Restrict Use and Disclosure

You can ask us to restrict how we use or share your information. We'll honor reasonable requests, though we may need to continue using information for your direct care.

Confidential Communications

You can request we contact you only at certain numbers or addresses, or through certain methods. Tell us your preferences and we'll respect them.

File a Complaint

If you believe your privacy has been violated, you can:

  • Contact us directly at Info@ThePinnacleHomecare.com or (609) 239-7588

  • File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights at 1-800-368-1019

You won't face retaliation for filing a privacy complaint.

How Long We Keep Your Information

We retain medical records according to legal requirements:

  • Active patients: We keep records for the duration of your care and 6 years after

  • Minors: We retain records until age of majority plus 6 years (or longer if required by law)

  • Inactive patients: Records are maintained for 6 years, then securely destroyed unless law requires longer retention

Some information (billing records, insurance coordination) may be retained longer for compliance purposes.

Changes to This Policy

Healthcare privacy laws and our practices evolve. We may update this policy periodically. If we make significant changes, we'll notify you directly. Your continued use of our services means you accept any updated policy.

Questions?

Pinnacle Home Medical Equipment, LLC
630 Herman Road, Suite 1
Jackson Township, NJ 08527

Phone: (609) 239-7588
Email: Info@ThePinnacleHomecare.com
Fax: (833) 230-2622

We're happy to discuss how we protect your privacy and answer any questions about this policy.