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.