PRIVACY POLICY

1. Introduction

Dermon Clinic (“Dermon Clinic,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information.

This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information obtained through www.dermonclinic.com (the “Website”), our patient portal, online appointment scheduling system, secure messaging services, teledermatology platform, and other digital services we provide (collectively, the “Services”).

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By using our Services, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this Privacy Policy.

This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected through our Services. It does not apply to information collected through third-party websites or services that maintain their own privacy policies.

2. HIPAA Notice

Dermon Clinic is a physician-owned medical practice.

Information that becomes part of your medical record is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) and other applicable federal and state privacy laws.

Our Notice of Privacy Practices describes how protected health information (“PHI”) may be used and disclosed for treatment, payment, healthcare operations, and other purposes permitted by law.

This Website Privacy Policy supplements—but does not replace—our Notice of Privacy Practices.

If there is any conflict between this Privacy Policy and our Notice of Privacy Practices regarding protected health information, the Notice of Privacy Practices will govern.

3. Information We Collect

We collect information you voluntarily provide, information generated during your use of our Services, and certain information collected automatically by your browser or device.

3.1 Information You Provide

Depending on how you use our Services, you may provide information including:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Address
• Telephone number
• Email address
• Emergency contact information
• Insurance information, if applicable
• Payment information
• Medical history
• Current medications
• Allergies
• Dermatologic concerns
• Uploaded photographs
• Videos submitted for medical evaluation
• Completed questionnaires
• Appointment requests
• Communications with Dermon Clinic

If you participate in teledermatology services, photographs, videos, and other information you submit may become part of your permanent medical record.

3.2 Information Automatically Collected

When you visit our Website, certain information may be collected automatically, including:

• IP address
• Browser type
• Operating system
• Device type
• Pages visited
• Date and time of access
• Referring website
• General geographic location derived from your IP address
• Website performance information

We use this information to maintain website security, improve functionality, analyze website usage, troubleshoot technical issues, and enhance the user experience.

3.3 Cookies

Our Website uses cookies and similar technologies to improve your browsing experience.

Cookies may be used to:

• Remember user preferences
• Maintain secure login sessions
• Improve Website functionality
• Analyze Website traffic
• Measure Website performance

Most browsers allow you to disable cookies. However, certain Website features may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

3.4 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from trusted third-party service providers that help us operate our practice, including appointment scheduling platforms, payment processors, electronic health record systems, telemedicine providers, laboratories, pharmacies, and other healthcare service providers.

Information received from these sources is used only as necessary to provide healthcare services, operate our practice, comply with legal obligations, or improve the Services we provide.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use information we collect to:

• Schedule appointments
• Provide dermatology and teledermatology services
• Communicate regarding your care
• Verify your identity
• Process payments
• Maintain medical records
• Respond to questions and requests
• Improve our Website and Services
• Maintain Website security
• Comply with legal and regulatory obligations
• Detect fraud or unauthorized activity
• Send appointment reminders and administrative communications
• Operate our business efficiently

We do not sell your personal information.

We do not use your protected health information for marketing purposes except as permitted by applicable law or with your authorization.

5. Sharing Information

We may disclose your information only as permitted by law, including:

• To healthcare providers involved in your care
• To laboratories and pharmacies when necessary for treatment
• To trusted service providers that assist in operating our practice
• To payment processors
• To government agencies when legally required
• To comply with court orders or legal process
• To protect patient safety, public safety, or our legal rights

All vendors receiving protected health information on our behalf are required to maintain appropriate safeguards as required by applicable law.

Dermon Clinic does not sell or rent patient information to third parties.

6. Security

Dermon Clinic maintains reasonable administrative, physical, and technical safeguards designed to protect personal information and protected health information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

Although we use commercially reasonable security measures, no method of transmitting information over the Internet or storing electronic information can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Accordingly, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Third-Party Websites

Our Website may contain links to third-party websites or services for your convenience.

Dermon Clinic does not control and is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing personal information.

8. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practice, technology, legal requirements, or Services.

The revised version will be posted on this Website with an updated effective date. Your continued use of our Services after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

9. Contact Us

If you have questions regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact:

Dermon Clinic

308 Magnolia Avenue, Suite 100

Fairhope, Alabama 36532

Phone: (251) 525-4255

Email: drchaarani@dermonclinic.com

 

SECTION 1 – ACCESSING OUR SERVICES

1.1 About These Terms

These Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the Dermon Clinic website located at www.dermonclinic.com (the “Website”), including any patient portal, online scheduling platform, secure messaging features, teledermatology services, educational content, and other digital services we make available (collectively, the “Services”).

By accessing or using the Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms, as well as our Privacy Policy and any additional policies referenced on this Website. If you do not agree to these Terms, you should not access or use our Services.

These Terms apply to all visitors, patients, and other users of the Website.

1.2 Public Services

Certain portions of our Website are available without creating an account. These include informational pages, educational resources, practice information, provider biographies, and other publicly accessible content (“Public Services”).

You may use the Public Services solely for your personal, lawful, and non-commercial use. You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, modify, or exploit any Website content without our prior written permission except as permitted by applicable law.

Nothing on this Website should be interpreted as granting any license or ownership interest in our intellectual property.

1.3 Secure Patient Services

Certain Services require registration or secure authentication, including but not limited to:

• Online appointment scheduling
• Secure patient messaging
• Teledermatology consultations
• Patient forms
• Medical questionnaires
• Access to medical records when available

These secure areas (“Secure Services”) require accurate registration information and may require identity verification.

You agree to:

• Provide accurate and complete information.
• Keep your login credentials confidential.
• Notify us promptly of any unauthorized access to your account.
• Accept responsibility for all activity occurring under your account.

Dermon Clinic reserves the right to suspend or terminate access to Secure Services if misuse, fraud, unauthorized access, or violation of these Terms is suspected.

1.4 Acceptable Use

You agree to use the Website and Services only for lawful purposes.

You agree that you will not:

• Violate any applicable federal, state, or local law.
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems.
• Upload malicious software, viruses, or harmful code.
• Interfere with the security or operation of the Website.
• Use automated software, bots, or data scraping tools without written permission.
• Attempt to reverse engineer, copy, or reproduce proprietary portions of the Website.
• Misrepresent your identity or provide false medical information.
• Use the Website in any manner that interferes with its availability or functionality.

Dermon Clinic reserves the right to investigate suspected misuse and to suspend or terminate access where appropriate.

1.5 Nature of the Website

Dermon Clinic is a physician-owned dermatology practice.

The Website is intended to:

• Provide general educational information regarding dermatology, skin health, hair disorders, and related topics;
• Allow patients to learn about available medical services;
• Facilitate appointment scheduling;
• Enable secure communication where available;
• Provide access to teledermatology services where appropriate.

Information contained on this Website is provided for general educational purposes only.

Unless you have established a physician-patient relationship with Dermon Clinic through an appointment or consultation, information on this Website does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical evaluation.

Use of this Website alone does not establish a physician-patient relationship.

1.6 Medical Emergencies

The Website and teledermatology services are not intended for medical emergencies.

If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency department.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Stroke symptoms
• Severe allergic reactions
• Significant trauma
• Loss of consciousness
• Any condition requiring immediate emergency care

Do not use Website messaging or appointment requests for urgent or emergency medical needs.

1.7 Telemedicine Availability

Teledermatology services are available only where permitted by applicable law.

Patients are responsible for being physically located in a jurisdiction in which the treating physician is authorized to provide telemedicine services at the time of the appointment.

Dermon Clinic reserves the right to decline or discontinue telemedicine services if legal, licensing, technological, or clinical limitations prevent appropriate care.

1.8 Fees

Fees for medical services are published on our Website or communicated during scheduling and may be updated periodically.

Unless otherwise stated, payment is due according to the policies in effect at the time services are provided.

Insurance coverage, reimbursement, deductibles, or out-of-pocket expenses are solely the responsibility of the patient unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Additional information regarding cancellations, refunds, and payment policies is provided separately in our Financial Policy.

1.9 Minors

Individuals under the age of 18 may receive Services only through a parent or legal guardian authorized to make healthcare decisions on their behalf.

By using the Services for a minor, the parent or legal guardian represents that they possess the legal authority to consent to treatment and agree to these Terms on behalf of the minor.

Children under the age of 13 may not independently create Website accounts or use Secure Services.

SECTION 2 – CONTENT AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR SERVICES

2.1 Educational Information

Dermon Clinic provides educational information regarding dermatology, skin health, hair disorders, cosmetic dermatology, and related medical topics. This information is intended solely for general educational and informational purposes.

While we strive to provide accurate, current, and evidence-based information, medical knowledge continually evolves. Accordingly, we do not guarantee that all information available through the Website is complete, accurate, current, or applicable to your individual circumstances.

The educational content available through the Website should not be considered medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for an evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional.

2.2 No Physician–Patient Relationship

Viewing information on this Website, reading educational articles, completing questionnaires, communicating through general website forms, or using interactive features does not establish a physician-patient relationship.

A physician-patient relationship is established only after Dermon Clinic accepts you as a patient and a medical consultation has occurred in accordance with applicable law.

2.3 Individual Medical Decisions

Medical decisions should always be based upon your individual medical history, symptoms, physical examination, diagnostic testing, and consultation with your treating healthcare professional.

Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical evaluation because of information obtained through this Website.

If you believe you may have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately or seek emergency medical care.

2.4 Interactive Features

From time to time, Dermon Clinic may offer interactive features such as educational questionnaires, symptom checkers, appointment request forms, patient messaging, calculators, or similar tools.

These tools are provided solely to enhance the user experience and improve communication. They are not intended to diagnose medical conditions or replace professional medical judgment.

Information submitted through these tools may be reviewed by Dermon Clinic as part of providing healthcare services when appropriate.

2.5 Artificial Intelligence Features

Certain educational or interactive features of the Website may utilize artificial intelligence (“AI”) or automated technologies to assist users in obtaining general educational information or navigating the Website.

AI-generated content is provided for informational purposes only and:

• does not constitute medical advice;
• does not establish a physician-patient relationship;
• should not be relied upon for diagnosis or treatment decisions;
• should always be confirmed through consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.

Dermon Clinic retains sole responsibility for medical care provided during an established physician-patient relationship.

2.6 Third-Party Content

The Website may contain information, educational resources, videos, articles, links, or materials created by third parties.

Such materials are provided solely as a convenience to our users.

Dermon Clinic does not control, endorse, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or safety of third-party content and assumes no responsibility for any information obtained from external sources.

2.7 Links to Other Websites

The Website may contain links to third-party websites, applications, or services.

These links are provided solely for convenience and informational purposes.

Dermon Clinic does not control the content, availability, privacy practices, security, or policies of third-party websites and is not responsible for any damages or losses arising from their use.

Accessing third-party websites is done entirely at your own risk.

2.8 Testimonials and Reviews

Any patient testimonials, reviews, before-and-after photographs, or success stories appearing on the Website reflect individual experiences.

Individual results vary and no testimonial, review, or photograph should be interpreted as a guarantee or prediction of future results.

2.9 Website Availability

Although we strive to maintain uninterrupted access to the Website, Dermon Clinic does not guarantee that the Website or its Services will always be available, uninterrupted, secure, or free from errors or viruses.

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, discontinue, or update any portion of the Website or Services at any time without prior notice.

2.10 Copyright and Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise indicated, all content appearing on this Website—including text, graphics, photographs, logos, videos, designs, icons, software, educational materials, and other content—is the property of Dermon Clinic or its licensors and is protected by applicable copyright, trademark, and intellectual property laws.

No Website content may be copied, reproduced, distributed, modified, republished, displayed, or otherwise used without the prior written permission of Dermon Clinic, except as permitted by applicable law.

 

TELEDERMATOLOGY INFORMED CONSENT

Consent to Medical Treatment

I voluntarily consent to receive medical evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment from Dermon Clinic through in-person or teledermatology services, as determined to be appropriate by my treating dermatologist.

I understand that my care may include medical history review, visual examination of my skin, review of photographs or videos, discussion of treatment options, prescribing medications when appropriate, ordering laboratory studies, recommending skin biopsies or procedures, referrals to other healthcare providers, and follow-up care.

If I am signing on behalf of a patient under the age of 18, I certify that I am the patient’s parent or legal guardian and have legal authority to consent to treatment.

Teledermatology

What is Teledermatology?

Teledermatology is the delivery of dermatologic healthcare using secure electronic communication technologies, including live video visits, secure messaging, and the review of photographs or other digital images.

Teledermatology allows my dermatologist to evaluate many skin, hair, and nail conditions without requiring an in-person office visit.

Benefits

Potential benefits include:

• Improved access to dermatologic care.
• Reduced travel time.
• Faster evaluation of skin concerns.
• Convenient follow-up visits.
• Earlier diagnosis and treatment of many dermatologic conditions.

Limitations

I understand that teledermatology has important limitations.

Unlike an in-person examination, my dermatologist may not be able to:

• Palpate (feel) skin lesions.
• Perform dermoscopy.
• Evaluate texture, firmness, or depth of lesions.
• Perform skin biopsies.
• Perform laboratory testing.
• Perform procedures or treatments during the visit.

Image quality, lighting, camera resolution, internet connectivity, and the information I provide may affect diagnostic accuracy.

Because of these limitations, my dermatologist may recommend an in-person examination before a diagnosis or treatment plan can be completed.

Photographs and Video

I understand that I may be asked to upload photographs or participate in live video during my consultation.

I agree that photographs, videos, and other images submitted for evaluation may become part of my permanent medical record.

I understand that clear, well-lit photographs improve diagnostic accuracy.

Technology Risks

I understand that telemedicine involves electronic communication.

Potential risks include:

• Internet interruptions.
• Audio or video failure.
• Delayed transmission of information.
• Technical malfunction.
• Unauthorized access despite reasonable security safeguards.

Dermon Clinic uses commercially reasonable measures to protect the privacy and security of electronic communications; however, no electronic system can guarantee absolute security.

Privacy

I understand that my medical information will be maintained in accordance with applicable federal and state privacy laws, including HIPAA.

Information obtained during my telemedicine visit will not be released without my authorization except as permitted or required by law.

Prescriptions

I understand that medications may be prescribed when medically appropriate.

The decision to prescribe any medication rests solely with my treating dermatologist.

Some medications may require laboratory testing, an in-person examination, additional follow-up, or may not be appropriate through telemedicine.

Need for In-Person Care

I understand that teledermatology is not appropriate for every medical condition.

My dermatologist may determine that I require:

• an in-person office visit;
• dermoscopy;
• laboratory testing;
• skin biopsy;
• procedural treatment;
• referral to another healthcare professional; or
• emergency medical evaluation.

I agree to follow these recommendations when advised.

Emergencies

Teledermatology is intended only for non-emergency medical conditions.

If I experience a medical emergency—including chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, severe allergic reactions, uncontrolled bleeding, or any life-threatening condition—I will call 911 or go immediately to the nearest emergency department.

I understand that I should not rely upon electronic messaging or appointment requests for urgent or emergency medical care.

Patient Responsibilities

I agree to:

• Provide complete and accurate medical information.
• Upload clear photographs when requested.
• Participate from a private location whenever possible.
• Verify my identity if requested.
• Inform my dermatologist of my current physical location at the time of the visit.
• Notify my dermatologist of changes in my medical history, medications, or allergies.

Financial Responsibility

I understand that I am responsible for payment of all fees associated with my visit in accordance with Dermon Clinic’s Financial Policy.

Because Dermon Clinic is a cash-based practice, payment is generally due at the time services are rendered unless otherwise agreed.

Electronic Communications

To help provide efficient care, I authorize Dermon Clinic to communicate with me electronically when appropriate.

I understand that these communications may include:

• Appointment confirmations and reminders
• Scheduling updates
• Follow-up instructions
• Prescription notifications
• Laboratory or pathology notifications
• Secure patient portal messages
• Administrative or billing communications
• Educational materials related to my care, when appropriate

I understand that whenever possible, Dermon Clinic will use secure, HIPAA-compliant communication methods. However, I acknowledge that standard email and SMS text messaging may not be fully encrypted and may carry a small risk that unauthorized individuals could access or view the information transmitted.

I understand that I should avoid sending highly sensitive medical information through unsecured email unless specifically instructed to do so.

It is my responsibility to provide accurate contact information and to promptly notify Dermon Clinic if my email address, telephone number, or other contact information changes.

I understand that electronic communications are monitored only during normal business hours and should not be used to report medical emergencies or urgent medical concerns.

If I experience a medical emergency, I will call 911 or proceed immediately to the nearest emergency department.

I understand that I may withdraw my consent to receive non-essential electronic communications by notifying Dermon Clinic in writing. Withdrawal of consent may limit certain services, including appointment reminders, secure messaging, and other electronic communications related to my care.

Consent

By electronically signing below, I acknowledge that:

• I have read and understand this Teledermatology Informed Consent.
• I have had the opportunity to ask questions.
• My questions have been answered to my satisfaction.
• I understand the benefits, limitations, and potential risks of teledermatology.
• I voluntarily consent to receive teledermatology services from Dermon Clinic.
• I understand that I may withdraw my consent for future telemedicine visits at any time by notifying Dermon Clinic, although this will not affect care already provided.