Privacy policy

Privacy Policy, SMS Terms & HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

The Brain Bliss
The Brain Bliss PLLC & The Brain Bliss Management Company LLC

Effective Date: September 6, 2026

Last Updated: September 6, 2026

Contents

Website Privacy Policy

The Brain Bliss Management Company LLC and The Brain Bliss PLLC (collectively, "The Brain Bliss," "we," "us," or "our") respect your privacy and are committed to protecting information you share with us. This Website Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information when you visit TheBrainBliss.com, contact us, submit information through our website, or use other online services that link to this policy (collectively, the "Website Services").

The Brain Bliss PLLC is the clinical health care practice. The Brain Bliss Management Company LLC provides management and administrative services associated with the practice. Information that qualifies as protected health information ("PHI") is handled in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA"), applicable federal regulations, and other applicable federal and Michigan privacy laws.

This page also contains our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, which describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and explains your rights concerning your health information. If any provision of this general Website Privacy Policy conflicts with the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices or applicable law with respect to PHI, the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices and applicable law will control.

Legal Entities Covered by This Policy

The Brain Bliss operates through The Brain Bliss PLLC, the clinical health care practice, and The Brain Bliss Management Company LLC, which provides management and administrative services associated with the practice. Unless a section states otherwise, references to "The Brain Bliss," "we," "us," or "our" in this page refer collectively to these entities as applicable to the activity being described.

The HIPAA obligations described in the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices apply to The Brain Bliss PLLC and to The Brain Bliss Management Company LLC only to the extent the management company performs functions involving protected health information on behalf of the clinical practice or is otherwise subject to applicable HIPAA requirements.

Information We Collect

Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect information such as:

  • Your name
  • Email address
  • Telephone or mobile phone number
  • Mailing address
  • Date of birth or other identifying information when needed for health care or administrative purposes
  • Insurance or billing information when submitted through an authorized system
  • Appointment, scheduling, or patient-request information
  • Information you provide in forms, messages, requests, or communications with us
  • Communication preferences, including SMS consent and opt-out preferences

Health Information

If you become a patient, request health care services, communicate with us regarding care, or submit information through an authorized patient-facing system, some of that information may constitute PHI. PHI is subject to HIPAA, other applicable privacy laws, and the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices contained on this page.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our public website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, such as your IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, referring website or page, pages viewed, general interaction data, date and time of access, and approximate location derived from an IP address.

We may use cookies and similar technologies for website functionality, security, performance, preference management, measurement, and general analytics. We do not intentionally use website tracking technologies to disclose PHI to third parties for their own advertising or marketing purposes.

How We Use Information

We may use information we collect to:

  • Respond to questions, messages, and appointment requests
  • Provide, coordinate, and support health care services
  • Manage appointments, scheduling, patient forms, reminders, and administrative communications
  • Operate, secure, maintain, and improve our website and services
  • Process billing, insurance, and payment-related activities
  • Communicate with health plans and other parties as permitted for treatment, payment, and health care operations
  • Prevent fraud, misuse, security threats, or other harmful activity
  • Comply with legal, regulatory, licensing, reporting, and record-retention obligations
  • Protect the rights, safety, and property of The Brain Bliss, our patients, our workforce, and others

We do not use or disclose PHI for marketing in a manner that requires HIPAA authorization unless we first obtain the authorization required by law.

How We Disclose Information

We do not sell PHI. We may disclose information when permitted or required by law and when reasonably necessary to operate our practice and provide services.

Depending on the circumstances, information may be disclosed to:

  • Health care providers involved in your treatment or coordination of care
  • Health plans, insurers, benefit administrators, and claims-processing organizations
  • Pharmacies and other organizations involved in your health care
  • Electronic health record, patient portal, telehealth, scheduling, and communication service providers
  • Billing, payment-processing, accounting, and administrative service providers
  • Technology, website hosting, cybersecurity, backup, and support providers
  • Professional advisers, auditors, attorneys, and consultants where appropriate
  • Government agencies, regulators, courts, law enforcement, or other parties when disclosure is permitted or required by law
  • Other service providers acting on our behalf and subject to appropriate privacy and security obligations

When a service provider receives PHI on behalf of The Brain Bliss and qualifies as a HIPAA business associate, we require an appropriate Business Associate Agreement when required by HIPAA.

Cookies, Analytics, and Online Tracking

Our public website may use cookies or similar technologies to provide website functionality, remember preferences, protect security, understand general website usage, and improve performance.

Depending on the technologies enabled on our website, third-party providers may process limited technical information on our behalf. If information collected through a website technology constitutes PHI, we handle that information in accordance with HIPAA and other applicable law. When a technology provider receives PHI on our behalf and qualifies as a business associate, we use the technology only when the disclosure is permitted and required contractual protections are in place.

We do not rely solely on a cookie banner, terms of use, or this Privacy Policy as authorization to disclose PHI when HIPAA or another law requires a separate authorization or other legal permission.

You may be able to control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of the website.

Third-Party Websites and Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services, including patient portal, scheduling, telehealth, payment, insurance, social media, or other external services. A third party's own privacy policy may apply when you interact directly with that third party.

This Privacy Policy does not control the independent privacy practices of third parties that are not acting on behalf of The Brain Bliss. We encourage you to review the privacy practices of external websites and services you use.

Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, physical, and technical safeguards designed to protect personal information and PHI against unauthorized access, use, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These safeguards may include access controls, authentication, secure systems, encryption where appropriate, workforce confidentiality requirements, security monitoring, and vendor protections.

No website, email system, wireless network, or electronic transmission method can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Patients should use secure communication methods provided by The Brain Bliss when sending sensitive health information whenever appropriate.

Secure Patient Communications

Patients may access the secure patient portal at thebrainbliss.clientsecure.me/sign-in. Please do not use ordinary website forms, standard email, or social media to send urgent or highly sensitive clinical information when a secure method is available.

The website, email, text messaging, and patient portal are not substitutes for emergency services. If you are experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. If you are experiencing a mental health or suicide crisis in the United States, you may call or text 988.

Data Retention

We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this policy and as required by health care, professional licensing, insurance, tax, contractual, legal, and record-retention requirements.

Medical records and PHI may be subject to legal retention requirements and therefore cannot necessarily be deleted upon request. Requests concerning medical records or PHI will be handled in accordance with the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices and applicable law.

Email and Other Communications

If you provide an email address, we may use it for patient, administrative, scheduling, account, practice, or other communications consistent with your relationship with The Brain Bliss.

Standard email may not always be secure. Do not send highly sensitive health information by ordinary email unless you understand and accept the risks or we direct you to use that method.

You may unsubscribe from promotional email communications, if any, using the unsubscribe method provided in those messages. Even if you opt out of promotional communications, we may continue to send non-promotional communications concerning your care, appointments, account, safety, legal notices, or ongoing relationship with The Brain Bliss.

Information Concerning Minors

Where The Brain Bliss provides services involving minors, information is handled in accordance with applicable federal and Michigan laws governing minor consent, confidentiality, parental or guardian access, and health records. Nothing in this policy is intended to alter privacy rights that a minor may have under applicable law.

Changes to This Website Privacy Policy

We may update this Website Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our services, technology, legal requirements, or privacy practices. When we make changes, we will post the revised policy on this page and update the "Last Updated" date.

SMS/Text Messaging Terms & Privacy

Routine Patient and Administrative Messages

If you choose to receive text messages from The Brain Bliss, we may send messages related to appointment reminders, scheduling, appointment changes, patient portal or form reminders, practice communications, administrative updates, and other communications related to our services or your relationship with The Brain Bliss.

Consent to receive text messages is optional and is not a condition of receiving treatment or purchasing any service. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier and plan.

How You Opt In

You may opt in to receive SMS communications through a website form, patient intake process, written consent, or another method provided by The Brain Bliss. By affirmatively providing SMS consent, you authorize The Brain Bliss to send text messages to the mobile number you provided for the purposes described at the time of consent.

Marketing or Promotional Text Messages

Consent to routine patient or administrative text messages does not automatically enroll you in promotional or marketing text messages. If The Brain Bliss offers marketing or promotional text messages that require separate consent, we will request that consent separately as required by applicable law.

How to Opt Out

You may revoke consent to receive text messages at any time. Reply STOP to a text message from The Brain Bliss to request that text messages stop. We will honor valid opt-out requests as required by applicable law. You may receive one final message confirming your opt-out.

If you change or disconnect your mobile number, please notify us so we can update our records.

Help

For help with text messaging, reply HELP or contact The Brain Bliss at 517-615-1527 or info@thebrainbliss.com.

Carrier Disclaimer

Mobile carriers are not responsible for delayed or undelivered messages.

Mobile Information and Messaging Consent

We use mobile numbers and SMS consent information to operate our messaging program, communicate with you, maintain consent and opt-out records, support patient and administrative communications, and comply with applicable law.

We do not sell, rent, or share mobile phone numbers, SMS opt-in information, or messaging consent with third parties or affiliates for their marketing or promotional purposes.

Mobile information may be disclosed to service providers that help us deliver or support our messaging program, but only as reasonably necessary to provide those services and subject to applicable privacy, security, and contractual requirements. SMS consent is not transferred to other businesses for their own marketing.

HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

Effective Date: September 6, 2026

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

This Notice of Privacy Practices ("Notice") applies to protected health information maintained by The Brain Bliss PLLC and, to the extent applicable, to The Brain Bliss Management Company LLC when it performs services involving protected health information on behalf of the clinical practice or is otherwise subject to applicable HIPAA requirements. It explains your rights, your choices, how we may use and disclose your health information, and our legal responsibilities.

Your Rights

When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. You have the right to:

  • Inspect or obtain an electronic or paper copy of your medical record
  • Ask us to correct your medical record
  • Request confidential communications
  • Ask us to limit certain uses or disclosures
  • Receive an accounting of certain disclosures of your health information
  • Receive a paper copy of this Notice
  • Choose someone to act for you when legally authorized
  • File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated

Get an Electronic or Paper Copy of Your Medical Record

You may ask to see or obtain an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other health information we maintain about you. Ask us how to make this request.

We generally will provide a copy or summary of your health information within the time required by law. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee when permitted by law.

Ask Us to Correct Your Medical Record

You may ask us to amend health information about you that you believe is incorrect or incomplete. We may deny the request in certain circumstances, but if we do, we will explain the denial in writing as required by law.

Request Confidential Communications

You may ask us to contact you in a specific way, such as only at a certain telephone number or email address, or to send mail to a different address. We will accommodate reasonable requests as required by law.

Ask Us to Limit What We Use or Share

You may ask us not to use or disclose certain health information for treatment, payment, or health care operations. We are not generally required to agree to such a request, although we will consider it.

If you pay for a health care item or service completely out of pocket, you may ask us not to disclose information about that item or service to your health plan for payment or health care operations. We will agree to that request unless a law requires us to disclose the information.

Get a List of Certain Disclosures

You may request an accounting of certain disclosures of your health information made during the six years before the date of your request. The accounting generally does not include disclosures for treatment, payment, or health care operations and certain other disclosures excluded by law.

We will provide one accounting in a 12-month period without charge. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for additional accountings during the same 12-month period as permitted by law.

Get a Copy of This Notice

You may ask for a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you previously agreed to receive it electronically. We will provide a paper copy promptly.

Choose Someone to Act for You

If another person has legal authority to act on your behalf, such as a legal guardian or person authorized through a valid medical power of attorney, that person may exercise your rights and make choices about your health information as permitted by law. We may verify that person's authority before taking action.

File a Complaint if You Believe Your Rights Have Been Violated

You may complain directly to The Brain Bliss if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. Contact our Privacy Officer using the information in the Contact Information section below.

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, by visiting hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint, calling 1-877-696-6775, or writing to:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201

We will not retaliate against you for filing a privacy complaint or exercising a privacy right.

Your Choices

For certain health information, you may tell us your choices about what we disclose. If you have a clear preference concerning a disclosure described below, tell us what you want us to do.

You generally have the right and choice to tell us whether to:

  • Share information with family, close friends, or others involved in your care or payment for your care
  • Share information in a disaster-relief situation

If you are unable to tell us your preference, such as when you are unconscious or otherwise unable to communicate, we may disclose information if we believe doing so is in your best interest and the disclosure is permitted by law. We may also disclose information when necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety, as permitted by law.

Uses or Disclosures That Generally Require Written Authorization

Except where an exception applies under law, we generally will obtain your written authorization before:

  • Using or disclosing your PHI for marketing when authorization is required by HIPAA
  • Selling your PHI
  • Using or disclosing psychotherapy notes when authorization is required by HIPAA
  • Using or disclosing your PHI for other purposes not described in this Notice when authorization is required

If you authorize a use or disclosure of your PHI, you may revoke that authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent we have already relied on it or as otherwise provided by law.

The Brain Bliss does not currently use PHI for fundraising. If our practices change, we will follow applicable notice, authorization, and opt-out requirements.

How We Typically Use or Disclose Your Health Information

Treatment

We may use your health information and disclose it to other health care professionals who are treating you or helping coordinate your care.

Example: We may communicate with another treating clinician or pharmacy about medications or treatment that are relevant to your care.

Health Care Operations

We may use and disclose your health information to operate our practice, improve quality, manage services, train or supervise workforce members, conduct compliance activities, and contact you when necessary.

Example: We may review patient records as part of quality improvement or practice-management activities.

Payment

We may use and disclose your health information to bill for services and obtain payment from health plans, insurers, or other responsible parties.

Example: We may provide information about services you received to your health insurance plan so the plan can process a claim.

Other Uses and Disclosures Permitted or Required by Law

HIPAA and other laws allow or require us to use or disclose health information in certain other circumstances. Before making a disclosure, we will comply with applicable legal conditions and limitations.

Public Health and Safety

We may use or disclose health information for permitted public health or safety purposes, such as:

  • Preventing or controlling disease
  • Reporting adverse reactions to medications or problems with products
  • Helping with product recalls
  • Reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence when permitted or required by law
  • Preventing or reducing a serious threat to health or safety

Research

We may use or disclose health information for research when the requirements of HIPAA and other applicable laws are satisfied.

Compliance With Law

We will disclose health information when state or federal law requires us to do so, including to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services when it is reviewing our compliance with federal privacy law.

Organ and Tissue Donation

We may disclose health information to organ procurement organizations or other entities involved in organ, eye, or tissue donation and transplantation when permitted by law.

Coroners, Medical Examiners, and Funeral Directors

We may disclose health information to a coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director as permitted or required by law.

Workers' Compensation, Law Enforcement, Health Oversight, and Government Functions

We may use or disclose health information when permitted or required by law for purposes such as:

  • Workers' compensation claims
  • Law enforcement purposes
  • Health oversight activities authorized by law
  • Certain military, national security, protective service, or other government functions

Lawsuits and Legal Proceedings

We may disclose health information in response to a court or administrative order or, when legally permitted, in response to a subpoena or other lawful process. Additional protections may apply to mental health, psychotherapy, substance use disorder, or other specially protected records.

Michigan Mental Health and Other More-Protective Privacy Laws

When Michigan law or another applicable law provides greater privacy protection than HIPAA, The Brain Bliss follows the more protective law.

Certain Michigan mental health records may require specific consent for disclosures outside treatment, payment, and coordination of care unless another law permits or requires the disclosure. Other categories of sensitive information may also be subject to additional federal or Michigan confidentiality requirements.

We will obtain consent or authorization when required and will limit disclosures in accordance with the law that applies to the particular information and circumstances.

Substance Use Disorder Records and 42 CFR Part 2

Some substance use disorder patient records may be protected by the federal confidentiality requirements of 42 CFR Part 2 in addition to HIPAA.

To the extent The Brain Bliss creates or maintains substance use disorder patient records that are subject to 42 CFR Part 2, those records will receive the protections required by Part 2. In particular, information from Part 2 records generally may not be used or disclosed in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative investigations or proceedings against you unless the applicable Part 2 requirements are satisfied, including where required your written consent or a court order and subpoena.

Additional consent requirements may apply depending on whether The Brain Bliss is acting as, receives records from, or otherwise interacts with a federally assisted substance use disorder treatment program subject to 42 CFR Part 2.

Our Responsibilities

  • We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your PHI.
  • We are required to provide you with this Notice describing our legal duties and privacy practices.
  • We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in the Notice that is currently in effect.
  • We will notify you as required by law if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
  • We will not use or disclose your information other than as described in this Notice unless you authorize us in writing or another law permits or requires the use or disclosure.
  • If you give us written authorization, you may revoke it as permitted by law.

Changes to This HIPAA Notice

We may change the terms of this Notice, and the revised Notice may apply to all health information we maintain, including information created or received before the change, to the extent permitted by law.

If we make a material change, we will make the revised Notice available upon request, post it at our practice as required, and post the current version on our website.

Availability of This Notice

You may request a paper copy of this Notice at any time. The current Notice is also available on TheBrainBliss.com.

Contact Information

For questions about this page, privacy practices, your health-information rights, SMS preferences, or to file a privacy complaint with The Brain Bliss, contact:

The Brain Bliss
The Brain Bliss PLLC & The Brain Bliss Management Company LLC
Attn: Privacy Officer
1410 Turner Rd
Lansing, MI 48906
Phone: 517-615-1527
Email: admin@thebrainbliss.com
Website: TheBrainBliss.com

The Brain Bliss will not retaliate against you for filing a privacy complaint or exercising a privacy right.