Effective Date: April 24, 2026

Genetic Support Foundation (“GSF,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and the confidentiality of your health information. GSF is a charitable nonprofit organization. 

This policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your Protected Health Information (PHI) under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other applicable laws.

1. HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

Under HIPAA, we are required to maintain the privacy of your PHI and provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices.

• Treatment: We use your PHI to provide genetic counseling, coordinate care with your referring physicians, and order laboratory testing.
• Payment: We may use your PHI to bill you or your insurance provider for services rendered.
• Healthcare Operations: We use PHI for internal quality assessments, provider training, and business planning.
• Your Rights: You have the right to inspect your medical records, request amendments, receive an accounting of disclosures, and request restricted communication methods.

2. Digital Communication Policy (SMS & Email)

We offer communication via SMS (text messaging) and email for your convenience.

• Consent: By providing your mobile number or email, you consent to receive communications regarding appointment reminders, clinical updates, and telehealth links.
• Privacy Risks: While GSF uses HIPAA-compliant platforms, standard SMS and email are not 100% secure. Messages may be visible on device lock screens. By opting in, you acknowledge these risks.
• Opt-In: We only send messages to those who have provided express verbal or written consent.
• Opt-Out: You may opt out of SMS at any time by replying STOP. To unsubscribe from emails, click the "Unsubscribe" link or contact our office.
• No mobile information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All other categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties. 

3. SMS Data & Third-Party Sharing (Carrier Compliance)

Genetic Support Foundation does not share, sell, rent, or share your mobile phone number or SMS opt-in data with third parties or affiliates for their marketing or promotional purposes. Your information is used strictly for your clinical care and is never shared for lead generation or affiliate marketing.

4. Security Standards (2026 Updates)

In accordance with the 2026 HIPAA Security Rule updates:

• Encryption: All electronic PHI (ePHI) is encrypted at rest (AES-256) and in transit (TLS 1.3).
• Access Control: We utilize multi-factor authentication (MFA) and role-based access for all staff handling patient data.
• Data Minimization: We only collect the "minimum necessary" information to perform our counseling services.

5. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to external resources. GSF is not responsible for the privacy practices of external sites. We encourage you to read their privacy statements before providing personal info.

6. Contact Us

For questions regarding your privacy or to file a complaint, please contact: Genetic Support Foundation Attn: Privacy Officer Phone: (844) 743-6384 Email: info@geneticsupport.org