Privacy Policy
PRIVACY POLICY AND NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
Effective Date: April 8, 2026
iKare Mood Trauma, Recovery Clinic (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is a texas-licensed medical clinic that provides psychiatric and behavioral health services. This page explains how we collect and use information from our website and how we protect your health information under HIPAA.
Information We Collect
We may collect information you provide directly to us, including your name, contact information, date of birth, insurance information, appointment requests, intake forms, messages, and other information you choose to submit through our website, patient portal, phone calls, emails, or secure forms.
We may also collect certain technical information automatically when you visit our website, such as your IP address, browser type, device type, pages visited, referring website, approximate location, and cookie or similar data.
How We Use Website Information
We may use the information we collect to:
respond to your inquiries;
schedule and manage appointments;
provide psychiatric and behavioral health services;
process insurance, billing, and administrative requests;
operate, maintain, and improve our website;
protect the security and integrity of our systems; and
comply with legal and regulatory obligations.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
Our website may use cookies, analytics, and similar technologies to help the site function and to understand how visitors use it. You may be able to control cookies through your browser settings. Some website features may not function properly if cookies are disabled.
Protected Health Information (PHI)
If you become a patient, we may create, receive, maintain, or transmit protected health information about you. We protect PHI in accordance with HIPAA and other applicable laws.
We may use and disclose PHI as permitted or required by law, including for treatment, payment, and health care operations.
How We May Use and Disclose PHI
We may use or disclose your PHI, without your written authorization, for:
treatment, including coordination with other health care providers;
payment, such as billing your insurer or other payers;
health care operations, such as quality review, care coordination, administrative activities, and internal business functions;
appointment reminders and other care-related communications;
compliance with legal obligations;
public health activities;
reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence when permitted or required by law;
health oversight activities;
judicial and administrative proceedings;
law enforcement purposes;
workers’ compensation claims;
special government functions; and
other purposes permitted by HIPAA.
Mental Health Information and Psychotherapy Notes
Because we provide psychiatric care, some information may be especially sensitive. Psychotherapy notes are kept separate from the rest of the medical record and may receive additional protection. We generally will not use or disclose psychotherapy notes without your written authorization unless the law allows or requires it.
Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Written Authorization
We will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your PHI for purposes not described in this notice, including most marketing, the sale of PHI, and other disclosures that require authorization under HIPAA. You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent we have already acted in reliance on it.
Your HIPAA Rights
Subject to certain exceptions, you have the right to:
request access to and obtain a copy of your PHI;
request that we amend PHI you believe is incorrect or incomplete;
request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures;
request confidential communications by alternate means or at alternate locations;
request an accounting of certain disclosures;
receive a paper copy of this notice; and
file a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.
Our Duties
We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your PHI, to provide you with this notice, to follow the terms of this notice, and to notify you if a breach occurs as required by law.
Website Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect the information we maintain. No method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Third-Party Services and Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites. If we use trusted vendors to help operate our website, scheduling, communications, billing, or records systems, those vendors may access information only as needed to perform services for us and are expected to protect that information consistent with applicable law.
Minors and Personal Representatives
In some situations, a parent, guardian, or other personal representative may be able to act on behalf of a patient under applicable law. We may request documentation before releasing information to a personal representative.
14. Email communications
iKare sends two categories of email and complies with the CAN-SPAM Act and all applicable email regulations.
Transactioanl emails:
Appointment confirmations and reminders
Billing statements and payment notifications
Updates regarding your care or provider availability
Compliance-related notices and disclosures
Breach notifications (if applicable)
Sent regardless of marketing preferences — essential to your care.
Marketing Emails
Newsletters and wellness resources
Service updates and new offerings
Mental health events or promotions
Sent only with your consent. Unsubscribe at any time via the link in any marketing email.
We clearly identify all marketing emails as such. We honor opt-out requests promptly and without penalty. We do not share your email address with third parties for their own marketing purposes. Transactional emails may still be sent after you unsubscribe from marketing, as permitted by law.
We avoid including sensitive health information in emails unless they are encrypted or otherwise secured. Do not send PHI, diagnoses, or treatment details via standard email.
15. SMS/ text Messaging
iKare may offer SMS/text messaging for administrative and care-related communications through a third-party SMS service provider. By opting in to SMS communications, you agree to this section.
We collect your mobile phone number for sending and receivign messages, responding to your inquiries and managing appointments, and respecting your communication preferences. SMS is not a secure channel. Text messages travel through third-party mobile carrier networks that iKare does not control. Never send PHI, diagnoses, medications, or mental health information via SMS. SMS is not appropriate for urgent or emergency communications call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. SMS messages from iKare are used only for non-clinical, administrative purposes such as appointment reminders, scheduling confirmations, and billing notifications. We do not share your mobile number with third parties for their own marketing purposes.
To opt out of SMS communications, reply STOP to any message from us at any time. To request help, reply HELP. Message and data rates may apply. Frequency varies.
Compliance: iKare's SMS practices comply with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and applicable carrier guidelines. Consent to receive SMS is not a condition of receiving care.
16. Emergencies
This website is not for emergencies. If you are experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Changes to This Notice
We may change this notice from time to time. Any revised notice will apply to all PHI we maintain and will include a new effective date. The updated notice will be posted on this website.
Questions or Complaints
If you have questions please feel free to contact us.
Office Contact:
Eli Elias
CEO
iKare Mood, Trauma, and Recovery Center
2833 Babock Rd. Suite 309, San Antonio, TX, 78229
(210) 301-0125
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.