Vela Health Privacy Policy
Effective Date: September 1, 2025
Last Updated: September 1, 2025
Vela Health (“we,” “our,” or “us”), including Lifetime Redesign OT, PLLC and Integrated Senior Care P.C., dba Vela Health, is committed to protecting your privacy. This combined Privacy Policy and Notice of Privacy Practices explains how we collect, use, and disclose your personal and health information, and outlines your rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and applicable laws.
Please review this document carefully. If you do not agree with its terms, please do not use our services.
Our Responsibilities
We are required by law to:
Maintain the privacy of your protected health information (PHI).
Provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices.
Abide by the terms of this notice and policy.
Notify you promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
Information We Collect
Personal Information
We may collect information you voluntarily provide, including:
Name and contact details (email, phone, address).
Communications with us (customer service inquiries, scheduling messages, feedback).
Automatically Collected Information
When you visit our website (velahealth.com) or use our services, we may collect:
Device information (IP address, browser type, operating system).
Usage data (pages visited, time spent, click patterns).
Cookies and similar tracking technologies.
How We May Use and Disclose Your Information
For Health Services
Treatment: To provide, coordinate, or manage your care, including behavioral health, medical services, care management, and remote monitoring.
Payment: To bill and collect payment from you, your insurance, or another responsible party.
Health Care Operations: For quality assessment, staff training, accreditation, licensing, auditing, and service improvement.
Other Uses Permitted or Required by Law
We may disclose PHI for:
Public health and safety reporting (e.g., communicable diseases, abuse, neglect).
Health oversight activities (audits, inspections, investigations).
Legal proceedings and law enforcement (e.g., court orders).
Preventing a serious threat to health or safety.
National security, military, or correctional institution purposes, when applicable.
Your Authorization Required
We will not use or disclose PHI for purposes not described here unless you provide written authorization. Examples include:
Use of psychotherapy notes.
Marketing purposes.
Sale of your information.
You may revoke your authorization at any time in writing.
SMS Messaging
If you provide your phone number and consent to receive text messages, we may use SMS to:
Send appointment reminders, scheduling updates, or service-related notifications.
Confirm, reschedule, or cancel appointments.
Provide care coordination updates.
Message Frequency & Charges: Frequency varies. Standard message/data rates may apply.
Opt-Out: Reply “STOP” to opt out. Reply “HELP” or contact info@velahealth.com for assistance.
Use of Phone Numbers: Numbers provided for SMS are not shared, sold, or used for marketing.
SMS Consent and Opt-In Disclosure
By providing your mobile number and replying to messages from Vela Health, you consent to receive appointment scheduling and care coordination text messages. Message frequency varies based on your interactions. Standard message and data rates may apply. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP, or request help by replying HELP. Your information will not be shared or sold to third parties.
Your Rights
You have the right to:
Access: See or obtain a copy of your records.
Amend: Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete records.
Confidential Communications: Request contact in a specific way (e.g., at work, by mail).
Restrictions: Request limits on sharing information. We may not always agree, but we will comply with restrictions for services paid entirely out of pocket.
Accounting of Disclosures: Request a list of certain disclosures made of your PHI.
Paper Copy: Request a paper copy of this notice, even if you previously agreed to receive it electronically.
Deletion/Correction of Personal Data: Request correction or deletion of non-PHI personal data.
Opt-Out of SMS: As described above.
Special Protections for Behavioral Health Records
Certain federal and state laws (including 42 CFR Part 2) provide extra protection for mental health and substance use treatment records. These records will not be released without your written consent, except as allowed or required by law.
Data Security
We implement reasonable safeguards to protect your information. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. You can adjust your browser settings to manage cookies.
Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to external sites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices and encourage you to review their policies.
Children’s Privacy
Our services are not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect PHI from children under 13.
Data Retention
We retain personal and health information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this notice, unless a longer retention period is required by law.
Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint:
With Us:
Privacy Officer: Joe Malnar
Phone: 636-233-7249
Address: 12395 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141
Email: Jmalnar@velahealth.com
With the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
Office for Civil Rights
200 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20201
Phone: 1-877-696-6775
Website: https://www.hhs.gov/ocr
You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this document periodically. Updates will be posted with a new “Last Updated” date.