Privacy Policy

Effective Date: [1 December 2024]

At M. Garcia Counseling Services LLC, we respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal data when you use our website or engage in telehealth services. By accessing our website and using our services, you agree to the practices outlined in this policy.

1. Information We Collect

We collect personal information in various ways when you interact with our website and use our telehealth services:

Personal Identifiable Information (PII): This may include your name, contact information (email, phone number), date of birth, and other details you provide when you schedule an appointment or engage in therapy sessions.
Health Information: As part of our telehealth services, we collect and store health information, including medical history, mental health concerns, and treatment details, which is necessary for providing counseling services.
Payment Information: If you pay for our services online, we may collect payment information such as credit/debit card numbers, billing addresses, and other relevant financial data.
Device and Usage Data: We may collect information related to your use of our website or telehealth platform, including IP addresses, browser type, operating system, and session details for troubleshooting, improving our services, and ensuring website security.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

Provide telehealth counseling services, including scheduling appointments and conducting virtual therapy sessions.
Communicate with you regarding your appointments, payment processing, and other services.
Comply with legal and ethical obligations, including maintaining confidentiality as required by law (e.g., HIPAA).
Improve and enhance our website, services, and client experience.
Process payments and manage billing for our counseling services.

3. How We Protect Your Information

Your privacy and security are our top priorities. We take appropriate technical, administrative, and physical measures to safeguard your personal and health information. These measures include:

Using secure telehealth platforms that comply with HIPAA standards to protect your confidential health information.
Employing encryption protocols for sensitive data, such as payment information.
Restricting access to your information to authorized personnel only.
Storing personal data in secure systems to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.

4. Sharing Your Information

We will not share or sell your personal or health information to third parties without your consent, except as required by law. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

With your consent: If you authorize us to share information with a third party, such as another healthcare provider.
For legal or regulatory purposes: To comply with legal obligations or requests from government authorities, or in response to subpoenas or legal proceedings.
To service providers: We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who help us with telehealth services, billing, or other administrative functions, provided they are bound by confidentiality agreements.

5. Telehealth Services

All counseling services provided by M. Garcia Counseling Services LLC are conducted via telehealth (online video or phone sessions). By using our telehealth services, you acknowledge the inherent risks and limitations associated with online communication, including but not limited to technical difficulties or interruptions.

You are responsible for ensuring you have a secure internet connection and the appropriate device to access telehealth services. We are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all telehealth sessions and will use encrypted platforms to maintain security.

6. Your Rights

You have the following rights concerning your personal information:

Access: You can request access to the personal and health information we hold about you.
Correction: You can request that we correct any inaccuracies in your personal or health information.
Deletion: You may request the deletion of your personal or health information, subject to certain exceptions (e.g., legal obligations).
Limitations: You can request limitations on how we use your information, including for marketing purposes.
Withdraw Consent: You can withdraw your consent to certain data practices at any time, except where we are required to retain data for legal or operational purposes.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [Insert contact information: email or phone number].

7. Retention of Information

We will retain your personal and health information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, comply with legal and regulatory requirements, and provide ongoing support for your therapy sessions. Once this data is no longer required, we will securely delete or anonymize it.

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Effective Date." We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, or if you would like to exercise any of your rights, please contact us at:

M. Garcia Counseling Services LLC
New Mexico Mailing Address:

500Marquette Ave NW STE 1200

Albuquerque, NM, 87102

Virginia Mailing Address:

4410 East Claiborne St. STE 334

Hampton VA, 2366

Phone: 575-491-2968

Cancelation Policy

Individual Counseling Sessions

Cancellation Policy

At M. Garcia Counseling Services LLC, we understand that life can be unpredictable, and sometimes you may need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. To ensure that we can offer timely services to all of our clients, we ask for your cooperation in following our cancellation policy.

24-Hour Notice Requirement

To avoid a cancellation fee, we kindly request that you provide at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. This allows us to offer your appointment time to other clients in need of care.

NOTE: The 24 hour notice is according to your scheduled appointment. Example: If appointment is on Saturday at 8:00 AM (MST), you must provide notice before Friday at 8:00 AM (MST). Messages are time stamped for verification.

Cancellation Fee

If you fail to provide 24 hours' notice of cancellation or rescheduling, a $100 fee will be applied. This fee must be paid before the next session can be scheduled.

Late Arrivals

If you arrive late for your session, your appointment will still end at the original scheduled time (at full cost) to avoid affecting other clients' appointments. The cancellation fee will apply if you miss the session entirely.

How to Cancel or Reschedule

To cancel or reschedule an appointment, please contact us by phone or email at least 24 hours in advance. You can reach us at:

Phone or Text: 575-491-2968 (Messages time stamped for verification)

No Surprise Act

Additional Information

No Surprises Act Notice

Under the No Surprises Act, you are entitled to protection against unexpected medical bills for services provided by out-of-network providers. This notice is intended to inform you of your rights regarding billing practices and pricing transparency at M. Garcia Counseling Services LLC.

As part of our commitment to providing clear and transparent billing, we want you to be fully informed about your treatment costs and any potential out-of-pocket expenses before services are rendered.

What is the No Surprises Act?

The No Surprises Act protects patients from receiving unexpected or "surprise" medical bills, particularly for out-of-network services provided in emergency situations or when a patient unknowingly receives care from an out-of-network provider. While primarily focused on emergency care, the law also applies to non-emergency services provided by out-of-network providers in situations where the patient did not have a choice in the matter.

At M. Garcia Counseling Services LLC, we want to ensure that you understand the costs involved in your care before you begin your therapy.

Your Rights Under the No Surprises Act

Good Faith Estimate (GFE):
- If you are receiving care through telehealth and are not using insurance or are receiving care from an out-of-network provider, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of the expected charges for your treatment.
- We will provide you with an estimate of the total expected charges, including session fees, based on your treatment plan.
- The estimate will include all foreseeable costs related to the therapy services we provide.

Receiving a Good Faith Estimate:
- If you would like to receive a Good Faith Estimate, please contact us before your appointment, and we will provide you with an estimated cost of your therapy sessions.
- We will also inform you of any out-of-network costs that may apply if your insurance does not cover certain services or if you are paying privately.

Out-of-Network Notice:
- If you are seeing us as an out-of-network provider, we will inform you of this and provide an estimate of potential out-of-pocket expenses.
- Be aware that, as an out-of-network provider, you may be responsible for paying the full cost of services, depending on your insurance plan.

Protection Against Surprise Bills:
- If you receive a bill that is higher than expected, you have the right to dispute it.
- You can request an explanation of the charges or appeal your bill through the No Surprises Act complaint process. For more information, you can visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website or contact us directly.

How to Request Your Good Faith Estimate

To request a Good Faith Estimate or if you have any questions regarding the costs of your treatment, please contact us at:

Phone: 575-491-2968

We encourage you to reach out before your appointment to understand the expected costs and to ensure there are no surprises regarding billing.

Billing Transparency

At M. Garcia Counseling Services LLC, we are committed to providing transparent billing practices. We believe in clear communication, and our goal is to make sure that you fully understand your financial responsibilities prior to receiving services.

If you ever have concerns about your bill or payment process, please contact us directly. We are here to help clarify any questions and ensure that your therapy experience is smooth and free of unnecessary stress.

More Information

For more detailed information on the No Surprises Act and your rights, please visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.