Notice of Privacy Practices

Revised: March 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.

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

New England PET Imaging System is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your Protected Health Information (PHI). PHI includes information about your health, medical history, PET and PET/CT scan results, diagnosis, treatment, and payment information that can identify you. This information is often referred to as your health or medical record.

Understanding what is in your medical record and how your health information is used helps you to:

  • Ensure its accuracy
  • Better understand who, what, when, where, and why others may access your health information
  • Make more informed decisions when authorizing disclosure to others

Although New England PET Imaging System is an indirect treatment provider, we maintain this Notice as a service to our patients and in accordance with applicable federal and state privacy laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

How We Use and Disclose Your Health Information

We may use or disclose your health information without your written authorization for the following purposes:

1. Treatment

We use your health information to provide imaging services and to communicate results to your referring provider, primary care provider, or other healthcare providers involved in your care.

Example: A radiologist interprets your PET/CT scan results, and the report is sent to your referring provider to assist in diagnosis and treatment planning.

2. Payment

We may use and disclose your information to bill and collect payment from you, your insurance company, or another third party.

Example: A claim submitted to your insurer may include your diagnosis code, procedure performed, and date of service.

3. Health Care Operations

We may use your information for operational purposes, including:

  • Quality assessment and improvement
  • Accreditation and regulatory compliance
  • Performance evaluations
  • Staff training
  • Risk management activities

Other Permitted or Required Disclosures

We may also disclose your health information:

  • To Business Associates: Companies that assist us with billing, IT support, or other services. We require them to safeguard your information.
  • For Appointment Reminders: We may contact you regarding scheduled appointments.
  • To Individuals Involved in Your Care: We may share relevant information with a family member or person involved in your care. We will generally only disclose patient information to people other than the patient if the patient has signed an authorization specifically authorizing the use or disclosure to the person(s).
  • Public Health Activities: As required by law to report disease, injury, or other public health concerns.
  • Law Enforcement or Legal Proceedings: When required by law, subpoena, or court order.
  • Workers’ Compensation: As authorized by applicable law.
  • Health Oversight Activities: For audits, inspections, or licensure reviews.
  • Research: When approved by an Institutional Review Board and privacy protections are in place.
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA): For reporting adverse events or product recalls.
  • Correctional Institutions: If you are an inmate, as required by law.

SMS Communications

If you opt-in to receive text messages from New England PET Imaging System, the following applies to that communication channel specifically, in addition to the privacy practices described elsewhere in this policy:

How we use your mobile information

We use your mobile phone number and related opt-in consent solely to send you the text messages you've agreed to receive, such as appointment reminders, rescheduling notices, and post-visit surveys.

Data sharing

Mobile information and text messaging opt-in consent will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. This applies regardless of any other data-sharing terms described elsewhere in this policy for other purposes (e.g., treatment, payment, or healthcare operations as permitted under HIPAA).

No sale of information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your mobile number or SMS opt-in data to any third party.

How to contact us

If you have questions about how your information is used in connection with text messaging, contact us at:

Opting Out

You may withdraw consent to receive text messages at any time by replying 9 to any message. This will not affect any other communications or services described in this Privacy Policy.

Related terms

Full messaging terms, including message frequency and support information, are available in our Messaging Terms & Conditions.

Uses Requiring Your Written Authorization

We will obtain your written authorization for:

  • Marketing communications (when required by law)
  • Disclosures not otherwise described in this Notice
  • Any other use beyond treatment, payment, and health care operations

You may revoke an authorization at any time in writing, except to the extent action has already been taken.

Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

You have the right to:

Inspect and Obtain a Copy

Request access to your health records (fees may apply for copies).

Request an Amendment

If you believe information in your record is incorrect or incomplete, you may request a correction.

Request Restrictions

Ask us to limit how we use or disclose your information. We are not required to agree, except in limited circumstances.

Request Confidential Communications

Ask us to contact you at an alternative address or phone number.

Receive an Accounting of Disclosures

Request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your health information.

Obtain a Paper Copy of This Notice

Even if you agreed to receive it electronically.

Our Responsibilities

We are required to:

  • Maintain the privacy and security of your health information
  • Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices
  • Notify you following a breach of unsecured PHI when required by law
  • Abide by the terms of this Notice currently in effect

We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and apply the revised Notice to all PHI we maintain. Updated Notices will be posted in our office.

Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with:

Privacy Official
New England PET Imaging System
Phone: (978) 689-4738

You may also file a complaint with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint.