Privacy Policy

1. Information We May Collect

Depending on how you interact with Metro Eyes, we may collect information including:

• Your name
• Mobile telephone number
• Email address
• Contact information
• Appointment information
• Communications or requests you send to us
• Information necessary to provide requested services
• SMS opt-in status and consent records
• SMS communication history
• Information submitted through our website or scheduling systems
• Technical information associated with use of our website, where applicable

How we collect information. We collect information directly from you when you schedule an appointment, complete patient intake or consent forms online or in our office, call or text our office, submit a request through our website, provide insurance or payment information, or receive care from us. We also collect limited technical information automatically when you visit our website. We collect this information in order to provide eye care and related services, communicate with you about your care and orders, process insurance and billing, and meet our legal and professional obligations.

When you opt in to receive SMS messages, we may specifically collect your mobile telephone number, your consent to receive messages, the date and method of consent, your messaging preferences, and communications exchanged with our office.

2. How We Use Your Information

We may use information to:

• Schedule, confirm, remind, or reschedule appointments
• Communicate regarding patient care and services
• Respond to questions and requests
• Provide customer and patient support
• Communicate regarding eyewear, contact lenses, orders, billing, insurance, or other services
• Send office announcements and administrative communications
• Send promotional or marketing communications when appropriate consent has been obtained
• Maintain records of communication preferences and consent
• Operate and improve our practice, website, and communications systems
• Meet applicable legal, regulatory, and professional obligations

3. SMS and Mobile Information

Metro Eyes may use your mobile number to send SMS or MMS communications when you have provided the appropriate consent or when otherwise permitted by applicable law.

Message frequency varies depending on your appointments, requests, interactions with our office, services, and messaging preferences.

Message and data rates may apply.

You may opt out of receiving SMS messages at any time by replying STOP. For assistance, reply HELP or contact Metro Eyes at 703-255-1502.

4. No Sale or Marketing Sharing of Consumer Information

Consumer information is not shared with third-parties for marketing purposes.

Metro Eyes does not sell or rent your mobile information or SMS opt-in information.

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for their marketing or promotional purposes. Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent will not be sold or shared with third parties or affiliates for their marketing or promotional purposes.

We may use service providers that perform services on our behalf, including communications, scheduling, information technology, hosting, practice-management, and messaging services. Such providers may process information only as reasonably necessary to provide services to Metro Eyes and are not authorized by Metro Eyes to use your SMS opt-in information for their own marketing or promotional purposes.

We may also disclose information when required or permitted by law, regulation, court order, or other applicable legal process.

5. SMS Consent

Providing a mobile phone number by itself does not authorize unrelated third-party marketing.

Where consent is required, your consent to receive SMS messages applies to communications from Metro Eyes Vision Care PLLC.

Consent to receive marketing or promotional SMS messages is not a condition of purchasing goods or services or receiving care from Metro Eyes.

You may withdraw your consent to SMS communications at any time by replying STOP or otherwise providing us with a reasonable request to stop such communications.

6. Protected Health Information and HIPAA

Metro Eyes is a healthcare provider. Certain information collected or maintained by Metro Eyes may constitute protected health information ("PHI") and may be subject to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA") and other applicable healthcare privacy laws.

Our use and disclosure of PHI is governed by our Notice of Privacy Practices.

If there is a difference between this general Privacy Policy and our Notice of Privacy Practices concerning PHI, the Notice of Privacy Practices governs our handling of PHI.

7. SMS Security

SMS messages may travel through systems that are not fully encrypted and may be accessible to individuals who have access to your mobile device or mobile account.

For this reason, you should avoid sending highly sensitive medical, financial, insurance, or identifying information through ordinary text messaging unless specifically instructed to do so through an appropriate secure method.

8. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, misuse, or loss.

However, no electronic communication, transmission method, or information-storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

9. Data Retention

We may retain personal information and communication records for as long as reasonably necessary to provide services, maintain business and healthcare records, document consent and communication preferences, comply with legal or regulatory obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements.

10. Your Communication Choices

You may request that we stop sending SMS messages by replying STOP.

You may also contact us regarding your communication preferences at:

Opting out of SMS does not necessarily opt you out of communications through other methods that are necessary or otherwise permitted, including telephone, email, mail, or communications related to treatment, payment, healthcare operations, or legal requirements.

11. Children's Information

Metro Eyes provides eye care services to children and families. When information concerning a minor is provided to us, it may be provided or managed by the minor's parent, legal guardian, or another person authorized to act on the minor's behalf, as applicable.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our services, privacy practices, technology, or legal requirements.

When we update this policy, we will revise the Effective Date shown at the top of this page.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, SMS communications, or our privacy practices, please contact: