Effective Date: June 9, 2026
Last Updated: June 18, 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
Chattanooga Skin and Cancer Clinic (“CSCC,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your health information. We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your Protected Health Information (PHI), provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, and follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect.
This Notice applies to all records of your care generated by Chattanooga Skin and Cancer Clinic, whether created by our physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, or other clinical and administrative staff at any of our three office locations.
How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information
We may use and disclose your PHI for the following purposes without your written authorization:
Treatment
We may use your health information to provide, coordinate, or manage your dermatology care. For example, we may share your information with other providers involved in your treatment, such as a referring physician, a pathology laboratory processing your biopsy, or a specialist to whom we refer you for additional care.
Payment
We may use and disclose your health information to bill and collect payment for the services we provide. For example, we may share information with your health insurance plan to obtain prior authorization, submit claims, or determine your benefits and coverage.
Healthcare Operations
We may use your health information for activities that support the operation of our practice and ensure quality care. Examples include quality improvement, staff training, compliance audits, and business management activities.
Appointment Reminders and Communications
We may contact you by phone, email, text message, or mail to remind you of upcoming appointments, provide post-visit follow-up instructions, or communicate information about your care. If you have opted in to receive text messages through our SMS program, appointment reminders and scheduling communications may be sent via text. Our SMS messaging program is governed by our separate Privacy Policy, available on our website.
As Required by Law
We may use or disclose your health information when required to do so by federal, state, or local law.
Public Health Activities
We may disclose your health information for public health activities, such as reporting diseases, injuries, or vital events to public health authorities as required by law.
Health Oversight Activities
We may disclose your health information to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law, such as audits, investigations, inspections, and licensure actions.
Legal Proceedings
We may disclose your health information in response to a court order, subpoena, or other lawful legal process.
Law Enforcement
We may disclose your health information to law enforcement officials for purposes authorized by law, such as reporting certain types of wounds, injuries, or suspected abuse.
Coroners, Medical Examiners, and Funeral Directors
We may disclose your health information to a coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director as necessary to carry out their duties.
Research
Under certain circumstances, we may use or disclose your health information for research purposes, subject to approval by an Institutional Review Board or Privacy Board.
To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety
We may use or disclose your health information when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health or safety, or the health or safety of the public or another person.
Workers’ Compensation
We may disclose your health information as authorized by, and to the extent necessary to comply with, workers’ compensation laws.
Military and Veterans
If you are a member of the Armed Forces, we may disclose your health information as required by military command authorities.
Uses and Disclosures That Require Your Written Authorization
We will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your PHI for purposes not described in this Notice, including:
- Marketing communications (other than face-to-face communications and promotional gifts of nominal value)
- Sale of your PHI
- Most uses of psychotherapy notes, if applicable
You may revoke your authorization at any time by submitting a written request to our office. Revocation will not affect any uses or disclosures made prior to receiving your request.
Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
You have the following rights with respect to your PHI:
Right to Access
You have the right to request access to and obtain a copy of your health information maintained by our practice. Requests must be submitted in writing. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for copying and mailing.
Right to Amend
If you believe that information in your medical record is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment in writing. We may deny the request under certain circumstances and will provide you with a written explanation if we do.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You have the right to request a list of certain disclosures of your health information that we have made. This does not include disclosures for treatment, payment, healthcare operations, or disclosures you authorized in writing. Requests must be submitted in writing.
Right to Request Restrictions
You may request restrictions on how we use or disclose your health information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. We are not required to agree to your request, except in certain circumstances. If you pay for a service entirely out of pocket, you have the right to request that we not disclose information about that service to your health plan.
Right to Request Confidential Communications
You have the right to request that we communicate with you in a specific way or at a specific location. For example, you may request that we contact you only at a particular phone number or address. We will accommodate reasonable requests.
Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice
You have the right to obtain a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you have previously agreed to receive it electronically. You may request a copy at any of our office locations or by calling 423-899-2700.
Right to Be Notified of a Breach
You have the right to be notified in the event that a breach of your unsecured PHI occurs.
Our Responsibilities
We are required by law to:
- Maintain the privacy and security of your Protected Health Information
- Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices
- Follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect
- Notify you if a breach of your unsecured PHI occurs
We will not use or disclose your health information without your authorization, except as described in this Notice.
Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to change the terms of this Notice and to make the revised Notice effective for all PHI we already maintain, as well as any PHI we receive in the future. The current Notice will always be available at our office locations and on our website at chattskinandcancer.com.
Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our practice or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights.
To file a complaint with our practice, contact:
Chattanooga Skin and Cancer Clinic 6061 Shallowford Road Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 Phone: 423-899-2700
To file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center, Suite 16T70 61 Forsyth Street, S.W. Atlanta, GA 30303-8909 Phone: 1-800-368-1019 Website: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints
You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Notice or our privacy practices, please contact us:
Chattanooga Skin and Cancer Clinic 6061 Shallowford Road Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421
Phone: 423-899-2700 Billing Department: 423-894-2234
Additional Locations:
- 3891 Adkisson Drive, Cleveland, Tennessee 37312 (Phone: 423-479-8648)
- 400 Dixie Lee Center Rd, Ste. C, Kimball, Tennessee 37347 (Phone: 423-815-9975)