Welcome to the AskDrSkip.com Privacy Policy page. The following explains exactly how ASKDRSKIP.COM, PLLC collects, processes, and protects the personal information you share—whether you’re browsing our site, scheduling an appointment, or purchasing supplements.

We detail the types of data we gather, the purposes for which we use it, the security measures we employ, and your rights to access, correct, or delete your information. Transparency is a core value of our practice, and we want you to feel confident that your privacy is respected at every step.

If you have any questions or need clarification about any aspect of this policy, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly. Your trust matters, and we’re committed to safeguarding your personal data.

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Effective Date: December 15, 2025
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Your Health Information Rights: Although your health record is the physical property of the healthcare organization that compiled it, the information belongs to you.

You have the right to:

  • request a restriction on certain uses and disclosures of your information, obtain a paper copy of the notice of information practices upon request, inspect and obtain a copy of your health record.
  • amend your health record.
  • obtain an accounting of disclosures of your health information.
  • request communications of your health information by alternative means or at alternative locations.
  • revoke your authorization to use or disclose health information except to the extent that action has already been taken.

Our Responsibilities:

This organization is required to:

  • maintain the privacy of your health information.
  • provide you with this notice as to our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to information we collect and maintain about you.
  • abide by the terms of this notice; notify you if we are unable to agree to a requested restriction.
  • accommodate reasonable requests you may have to communicate health information by alternative means or at alternative locations.

We reserve the right to change our practices and to make the new provisions effective for all protected health information we maintain. Should our information practices change, the system IntakeQ will e-mail a revised notice to the address you’ve supplied us. We will not use or disclose your health information without your authorization, except as described in this notice.

Examples of Disclosures for Treatment, Payment and Health Operations: We will use your health information for treatment purposes.
For example: Information obtained by an, acupuncturist, massage therapist, or other member of your healthcare team will be recorded in your record and used to determine the course of treatment that should work best for you. The acupuncturist will document in your record his or her expectations of the members of your healthcare team. Members of your healthcare team will then record the actions they took and their observations. In that way, the acupuncturist will know how you are responding to treatment. We will use your health information for payment purposes.

For example: A bill may be sent to you or a third-party payer such as an insurance company, the Medicare program or any other organization, person or program that may be responsible for paying for services. The information on or accompanying the bill may include information that identifies you, as well as your diagnosis, procedures, and supplies used. We will use your health information for regular health operations.

For example: Health care providers within the organization, the risk or quality improvement manager, or members of the quality improvement team may use information in your health record to assess the care and outcomes in your case and others. This Information will then be used, in an effort to continually improve the quality and effectiveness of the healthcare and service we provide.

Business associates: There are some services provided in our organization through contracts with business associates. An example is insurance billing done through a separate billing company who is an independent contractor. There may be additional independent contractors. When these services are contracted, we may disclose your health information to our business associate so that they can perform the job we’ve asked them to do and bill you or your third-party payer for services rendered. To protect your health information, however, we require the business associate to appropriately safeguard your information.

Notification: We may use or disclose information to notify or assist in notifying a family member, personal representative, or another person responsible for your care, your location, and general condition.

Communication with family: Health professionals, using their best judgment, may disclose to a family member, other relative, close- personal friend or any other person you identify, health information relevant to that person’s involvement in your care or payment related to your care.

Workers’ compensation: We may disclose health information to the extent authorized by and to the extent necessary to comply with laws relating to workers compensation or other similar programs established by law.

Research: We may disclose information to researchers when their research has been approved by an institutional review board that has reviewed the research proposal and established protocols to ensure the privacy of your health information.

Public health: As required by law, we may disclose your health information to public health or legal authorities charged with preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability.

Marketing: We may contact you to provide appointment reminders or information about treatment alternatives or other health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you or otherwise provide information about additional services or health care products you may find useful.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA): We may disclose to the FDA health information relative to adverse events with respect to food, supplements, product and product defects, or post marketing surveillance to enable product recalls, repairs, or replacement.

Organ procurement organizations: Consistent with applicable law, we may disclose health information to organ procurement organizations or other entities engaged in the procurement, banking, or transplantation of organs for the purpose of tissue donation and transplant.

Funeral directors: We may disclose health information to funeral directors consistent with applicable law to carry out their duties.

Legal Matters: In the event of a claim, litigation or other legal proceeding or contemplated legal matter, we may disclose health information to our attorneys and individuals or organizations working for them as required by law, with your consent, or as directed by a proper court order.

Law enforcement: We may disclose health information for law enforcement purposes as required by law or in response to a valid subpoena. Federal law makes provision for your health information to be released to an appropriate health oversight agency, public health authority or attorney, provided that a work force member or business associate believes in good faith that we have engaged in unlawful conduct or have otherwise violated professional or clinical standards and are potentially endangering one or more patients, workers or the public.

Abuse & Neglect: We may disclose your protected health information to public authorities as allowed by law to report abuse or neglect.

Correctional Institutions: If you are an inmate of a correctional institution, we may disclose to the institution, or its agents, your protected health information necessary for your health and the health and safety of other individuals.

Website: This notice will be provided on our website.

For More Information or to Report a Problem: If you have questions, believe your privacy rights have been violated or would like additional information, you may contact Jason Forsyth the HIPAA Privacy Official, for ASKDRSKIP.COM, PLLC Oriental Medicine Clinic at 1000 Fifth Avenue, Suite 110, Chase Bank Building, Huntington, West Virginia 25701 or call us at 304.634.9700. You may also file a complaint by mailing it or e-mailing it to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. We cannot, and will not, require you to waive the right to file a complaint with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a condition of receiving treatment from the practice. We cannot, and will not, retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Other Uses of Protected Health Information: Other uses and disclosures of protected health information not covered by this notice or the laws that apply to us will be made only with your written permission. If you provide us permission to use or disclose medical information about you, you may revoke that permission, in writing, at any time. If you revoke your permission, we will no longer use or disclose protected health information about you for the reasons covered by your written authorization. You understand that we are unable to take back any disclosures we have already made with your permission, and that we are required to retain our records of the care that we provided to you.

You acknowledge that the practice may amend its this notice at any time. Before any change takes effect, I will receive an electronic copy of the revised notice at the email address supplied.

You have the right to:

  • Object to any use of my health information for directory listings.
  • Request restrictions on how my information is used or disclosed for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations (the practice is not obligated to honor every request).

If you need to update these restrictions contact our office and we will promptly provide you an updated form to complete.

1. Purpose

ASKDRSKIP.COM, PLLC may send you personal health information (test results, appointment details, billing statements, wellness reports, etc.) through secure electronic channels. Notifications that information has been sent will appear via the office e‑mail address (office@askdrskip.com) and automated no‑reply text messages.

Secure channels we use

  • IntakeQ electronic medical‑record system – https://askdrskip.intakeq.com/
  • Secure telephone calls through RingRx
  • Secure messaging / text functionality inside the IntakeQ EMR

Patient Communication Guidelines

  • Voice Calls: Our office phone (304) 634‑9700 is voice‑only and does not receive text messages.
  • Email: We do not use standard e‑mail for patient communications due to the lack of encryption.

2. Types of Information You May Receive

  • Appointment reminders, directions, and scheduling updates
  • Follow‑up recommendations and next‑step instructions
  • Process information about ASKDRSKIP.COM, PLLC services
  • General educational or treatment content
  • Equipment or service reminders
  • Billing details (invoices, receipts)
  • Wellness reports and treatment summaries for insurance (when applicable)
  • Laboratory or test results
  • Specific treatment notes
  • Periodic newsletters with health information or office updates

3. Acknowledgment of Risks

Electronic communications are not completely secure. They could be intercepted, accessed, or altered by third parties. The Appendix below outlines these risks. By signing, you confirm that you have read the Appendix, that all of your questions have been answered, and that you may ask additional questions at any time.

4. Consent to Electronic Communication

  • I consent to receive electronic communications from ASKDRSKIP.COM, PLLC via the methods listed above.
  • I understand that the practice works with HIPAA‑compliant business associates that use encryption, but absolute security cannot be guaranteed.
  • I may withdraw this consent at any time by providing written or verbal notice; after withdrawal, the practice will cease all electronic communications to me.

5. Appendix – Summary of Risks

  1. Potential Disclosure – Sensitive information could be viewed by unintended parties.
  2. Incomplete Encryption – Data in transit or at rest may be vulnerable despite safeguards.
  3. Employer/Network Inspection – Employers or network providers may legally inspect communications.
  4. Malware Exposure – Malicious software could be introduced via e‑mail or text.
  5. Forwarding/Interception – Messages can be forwarded, copied, or altered without my knowledge.
  6. Backup Copies – Deleted messages may still exist in backup systems.
  7. Legal Disclosure – Communications may be released under court orders or mandatory reporting duties.
  8. Mis‑Delivery – E‑mails or texts can be sent to the wrong recipient, increasing privacy risk.
  9. Authenticity Concerns – Electronic messages are easier to forge; verifying sender identity can be difficult.

6. Conditions of Use

  • Response Time: The practice aims to reply within 2‑3 business days but cannot guarantee a specific window.
  • Emergencies: Electronic messages are not for emergencies. If you need urgent care, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Department.
  • Follow‑Up Responsibility: If you do not receive a timely reply, you are responsible for following up to confirm receipt.
  • Record Keeping: Communications related to diagnosis or treatment may be printed or transcribed into your medical record and accessed by authorized staff (e.g., billing personnel).
  • Internal Sharing: Your messages may be shared with staff involved in your care while protecting your privacy.
  • Third‑Party Disclosure: ASKDRSKIP.COM, PLLC will not share your messages with family members or other third parties without your written consent, except when required by law.
  • Technical Failures: The practice is not liable for loss of information caused by your own software or internet service issues.

7. Telehealth Consent

To expand access, ASKDRSKIP.COM, PLLC offers telehealth services (two‑way interactive audio/video or electronic transmission). This consent explains how telehealth works and the associated rights and risks.

7.1 Telehealth Services

  • Telehealth may involve sending video, digital photographs, or other health‑related data (“Transmitted Data”) to your provider(s).
  • You will be told in advance if any additional personnel (visible or invisible) will be present during the encounter. You must inform your provider of any other person present, and you have the right to exclude anyone from either location.
  • You may refuse or stop telehealth at any time and request an in‑person appointment. An in‑person visit may not be available at the same time or location, but refusing telehealth will not affect your future care or benefits.
  • You have the right to follow up with your provider after a telehealth session with any questions or concerns.

Benefits of telehealth

  • Continuity of care when an in‑person visit is impractical or inconvenient.
  • Ability for the provider to view parts of your environment, which can aid assessment.
  • Reduced exposure to contagious illnesses.

Risks of telehealth

  • Inability to perform certain physical exam components (e.g., auscultation, vital‑sign measurement).
  • Limited observation of non‑verbal cues, facial expressions, or tone of voice.
  • No immediate emergency physical care can be provided.
  • Technical glitches may interrupt the session.
  • Confidentiality risks: communications could be overheard or accessed by unauthorized third parties.

You will have access to all information generated from the telehealth encounter as required by law.

7.2 Confidentiality for Telehealth

All legal confidentiality protections apply to telehealth. However, because communications travel electronically, absolute privacy cannot be guaranteed. To help protect confidentiality:

  • Conduct sessions in a private room where others cannot hear or see the interaction.
  • Do not use public spaces for telehealth visits.
  • Sessions may not be recorded without your written permission; you must obtain written consent before recording any part of a session or sharing it publicly.

7.3 Emergencies

  • Telehealth is not appropriate for emergent health situations.
  • If you experience an emergency or crisis, call 911 immediately.
  • If an emergency occurs during a telehealth encounter, call 911 and stay on the video (if possible) until help arrives.