Privacy Policy
Shikara Facial Plastic Surgery
Dr. Meryam Shikara, MD
Last Updated: August 25, 2025
At Shikara Facial Plastic Surgery, we are committed to protecting your privacy and safeguarding your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and protect the information you provide when using our website and medical services. By accessing or using our website or services, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
As Required by the Privacy Regulations Created as a Result of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED, AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
1. Our Commitment to Your Privacy
Our practice is dedicated to maintaining the privacy of your individually identifiable health information (IIHI) and personal information collected through our website. In conducting our business, we will create records regarding you and the treatment and services we provide to you. We are required by law to maintain the confidentiality of health information that identifies you and to provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices.
We realize that these laws are complicated, but we must provide you with the following important information:
How we may use and disclose your IIHI and personal information
Your privacy rights in your information
Our obligations concerning the use and disclosure of your information
The terms of this notice apply to all records containing your information that are created or retained by our practice. We reserve the right to revise or amend this Privacy Policy. Any revision or amendment will be effective for all records and will be posted on our website.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Personal Information
We may collect personal details such as your name, email address, phone number, mailing address, date of birth, and insurance information when you voluntarily provide them to us through our website forms, patient intake forms, or during consultations.
2.2 Health Information
We collect individually identifiable health information (IIHI) during the course of providing medical services, including medical history, treatment records, surgical notes, photographs, and billing information.
2.3 Website Usage Information
We automatically collect certain information about how you interact with our website, including:
IP address, browser type, operating system, and device information
Pages visited on our website and time spent on each page
Referral sources and search terms used to find our website
Information gathered through cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies
2.4 Third-Party Information
We may receive information about you from third-party sources, such as insurance companies, referring physicians, and publicly available sources.
3. How We Use Your Information
3.1 Medical Uses and Disclosures
Treatment: Our practice may use your IIHI to treat you, including laboratory tests, prescriptions, consultations with other healthcare providers, and coordination of care with specialists or facilities.
Payment: We may use and disclose your IIHI to bill and collect payment for services, verify insurance eligibility and benefits, obtain pre-authorizations, and work with third parties responsible for payment.
Health Care Operations: We may use your IIHI to operate our business, including quality assessment, staff training, accreditation, business planning, and administrative activities.
3.2 Website and Communication Uses
Providing and Improving Services: We use your information to provide, maintain, and improve our services, personalize your experience, analyze usage patterns, and optimize our website.
Communication: We may use your contact details to:
Send appointment reminders and follow-up communications
Inform you of treatment options or health-related services
Respond to inquiries and provide customer support
Send newsletters and promotional materials (with your consent)
Legal Compliance: Your information may be used to comply with applicable laws, regulations, or legal processes.
4. When We May Share Your Information
4.1 Routine Disclosures
Appointment Reminders: We may contact you to remind you of appointments
Family/Friends: We may release information to family members or friends involved in your care (with your permission)
Healthcare Providers: We may share information with other healthcare providers involved in your treatment
4.2 Special Circumstances
We may disclose your IIHI in the following situations:
Public Health Activities: To prevent or control disease, report child abuse, notify about communicable disease exposure, report adverse drug reactions, or workplace injury reporting.
Health Oversight Activities: To health oversight agencies for investigations, inspections, audits, licensure, and disciplinary actions.
Legal Proceedings: In response to court orders, subpoenas, or other legal processes.
Law Enforcement: When required by law enforcement officials for criminal investigations, identifying suspects, or reporting crimes.
Research: For research purposes with proper authorization or institutional review board approval.
Serious Threats: To prevent serious threats to health and safety of individuals or the public.
Other Required Disclosures: For military personnel, national security, inmates, workers' compensation, and organ donation purposes.
4.3 Website Information Sharing
Service Providers: We may engage third-party service providers (website hosting, analytics, email services) who have access to your information only as necessary to perform their functions.
Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law or in response to valid legal requests.
Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of the transaction.
5. Your Privacy Rights
5.1 HIPAA Rights
Confidential Communications: You can request that we communicate with you in a particular manner or at a specific location.
Requesting Restrictions: You can request restrictions on how we use or disclose your health information.
Inspection and Copies: You have the right to inspect and obtain copies of your medical records and billing records.
Amendment: You may request amendments to your health information if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete.
Accounting of Disclosures: You can request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your health information.
Paper Copy of Notice: You are entitled to receive a paper copy of this privacy notice.
File a Complaint: You may file complaints about our privacy practices without penalty.
5.2 Website Privacy Rights
Opt-Out: You can opt out of receiving marketing communications at any time.
Access and Correction: You can request access to or correction of personal information we have collected through our website.
Cookie Management: You can adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies, though this may limit website functionality.
6. Data Security
We implement reasonable physical, technical, and administrative safeguards to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include:
Secure server technology and encryption
Access controls and user authentication
Employee training on privacy and security
Regular security assessments and updates
However, no system of data transmission or storage is completely secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.
7. Children's Privacy
Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18 without parental consent. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a minor, please contact us immediately.
8. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be effective when we post the revised policy on our website. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about our privacy practices.
9. Contact Information
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, want to exercise your rights, or need to file a complaint, please contact us:
Shikara Facial Plastic Surgery
110 E 60th St # 908
New York, NY 10022
Phone: (332) 291-7001
Email: info@drshikara.com
To file a complaint with the Department of Health and Human Services:
You may also file a complaint with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services regarding our privacy practices.
Please note: This Privacy Policy applies to our medical services and website. It does not govern the privacy practices of third-party websites or services linked to or from our website. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of those third parties before providing any personal information to them.
By using our website and services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.