🔒 Website Privacy Policy

Effective Date: November 26, 2025

This Privacy Policy describes how The Foot & Ankle Center ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and shares information when you visit and interact with our website, thefootandanklecentertx.com or call or message our office.

1. Commitment to HIPAA Privacy and Security

As a healthcare provider, we are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your Protected Health Information (PHI) in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and all applicable state laws.

  • PHI Protection: Any health-related information you share with us in the context of scheduling appointments, filling out patient forms, or receiving treatment is governed by our separate Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP), which you will receive upon becoming a patient.

  • Website Limitation: This website policy addresses only your non-health-related interactions with our website (e.g., browsing activity, form submissions for general inquiries).

2. Information We Collect

We collect two main types of information from our website visitors:

A. Information You Voluntarily Provide

This information is collected when you choose to submit it through online forms, emails, or scheduling widgets:

  • Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address.

  • Appointment Details: Requested date and time for an appointment (Note: We advise against submitting detailed medical questions through general contact forms).

  • General Inquiries: The content of any message you submit to us.

B. Information Collected Automatically (Usage Data)

When you browse our website, we automatically collect certain technical information:

  • Device Information: Your computer's Internet Protocol (IP) address, operating system, and browser type.

  • Activity Data: Pages viewed, links clicked, time spent on the site, and the referring website that led you to us.

  • Cookies and Tracking: We use cookies and similar tracking technologies (like Google Analytics) to track activity and improve your experience. You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

  • To Respond to You: To answer your questions, schedule your appointments, and process your requests for information.

  • To Improve Our Services: To analyze website traffic, understand which services are most popular, and enhance our website's functionality and content.

  • Marketing: To communicate information about our services, promotions, or office updates, provided you have consented to receive such communications.

4. Disclosure of Your Information

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We may share your information with:

  • Service Providers: Trusted third-party vendors who perform services on our behalf, such as website hosting, analytics processing, or online scheduling platforms (e.g., your scheduling software provider). These vendors are required to protect your information.

  • Legal Requirements: When required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court order).

  • Business Transfers: In connection with a sale, merger, or acquisition of our practice.

5. Security of Data

The security of your data is important to us, but remember that no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal data, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

6. Links to Other Sites

Our website may contain links to other websites, such as insurance providers or health resources, that are not operated by us. If you click on a third-party link, you will be directed to that third party's site. We strongly advise you to review the Privacy Policy of every site you visit. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content or privacy practices of any third-party sites or services.

7. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Effective Date" at the top. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

  • By Phone: (281) 369-9166

  • By Mail: The Foot and Ankle Center

    3786 FM 1488, Suite 150

    The Woodlands, TX 77384