Privacy Policy

  Effective   Date: September 10, 2025
 

   Discipling Doula, LLC (“we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy and complies with applicable privacy laws, including the Health Insurance   Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your Protected Health   Information (PHI).      

1. Information We Collect: 

    - Personal Information: Name, address, phone, email, and emergency contacts.
   - Health Information (PHI): Pregnancy, birth plans, health history,   preferences, and care notes.
   - Payment Information: Billing details, insurance information (if applicable).
   - Website Data (if applicable): Non-identifiable data like IP address,   browser type, and cookies. 

    - Photos/video/audio of your birthing experience, only with written consent.

 2. How We Use Your Information:

    - Provide doula and related services.
   - Coordinate with your healthcare providers (with your consent).
   - Communicate with you regarding appointments, care, and resources.
   - Process payments.
   - Maintain proper records in compliance with HIPAA.
   - Improve our services.  

3. Your Rights Under HIPAA:   

    - Access and request a copy of your PHI.
   - Request amendments to your PHI.
   - Receive an accounting of disclosures of your PHI.
   - Request restrictions on how your PHI is used or shared (when legally possible).
   - Request confidential communication methods.
   - File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.     

4. Disclosure of Information: We may share your PHI only as permitted by HIPAA, such as:
   - With your authorization.
   - For treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
   - With healthcare providers involved in your care.
   - When required by law (e.g., public health reporting, legal proceedings).
   - To prevent serious threats to health or safety.

   We will never sell or share your PHI for marketing purposes without your explicit written authorization.    

5. Safeguards & Security:  

    - Records are stored securely (physical and/or digital).
   - Access to PHI is limited to authorized personnel only.
   - Electronic communications are protected to the extent reasonably possible, though email and text may not always be fully secure.
   - We follow administrative, technical, and physical safeguards required under HIPAA.      

6. Complaints: If you believe your HIPAA rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or directly with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).   You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.
 

   Contact for complaints:
   Discipling Doula, LLC
   disciplingdoula@gmail.com
   830-217-5151
   130 TX-173 #2593, Bandera, TX, 78003     

7. Changes to This Notice: We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy and Notice of Privacy Practices. Any changes will apply to all PHI we maintain and will be posted with the new effective date.     

8. Children’s Privacy: We are committed to protecting the privacy of children. We do not knowingly collect,   use, or disclose personal information from children under 13 years of age without parental or guardian consent. If we become aware that information has been collected from a child under 13 without proper authorization, we will delete it promptly.
 

  For doula services involving infants or children, any related health or personal information shared with us is considered part of the parent’s or guardian’s Protected Health Information (PHI) and is safeguarded in accordance with HIPAA.    

Sharing of Personal Information: 

Discipling Doula, LLC will not share, sell, or disclose your personal information or mobile opt-in data to third parties without your explicit consent, except where required by law. Your information is kept confidential and used solely for the purposes you have agreed to. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with third parties. Text messaging opt-in data is not being shared with third parties.

Opting Out of Text Messages:

You have the right to opt out of receiving text messages from Discipling Doula, LLC at any time. To opt-out, you can reply "STOP" to any text message you receive from us. 

Consent and Opt-In:

By providing your phone number and opting in to receive text messages, you consent to the collection and use of your personal information as described in this policy. We ensure that your consent is obtained explicitly and that you are informed about the types of messages you will receive.