Privacy Policy

Your Privacy Matters to Us
Dr. J. Stephen Appleton and our entire team are committed to protecting your personal information and ensuring that your medical care is handled with the highest level of confidentiality. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or receive care in our office.

Information We Collect
We may collect certain types of information to help us provide you with high‑quality care and a smooth online experience.

Personal Information You Provide
This may include:
Your name and contact information
Appointment requests or messages submitted through online forms
Medical information you choose to share when communicating with our office
Automatically Collected Information
When you visit our website, basic technical information may be collected, such as:
Browser type
Device type
Pages viewed
General location data (not tied to your identity)
This helps us improve website performance and user experience.

How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
Schedule and manage appointments
Respond to your questions or requests
Provide medical care and coordinate treatment
Improve our website and services
Communicate important updates about your care
We do not sell or share your personal information with third‑party companies.

How We Protect Your Information
We take your privacy seriously. Our practice uses administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. Only authorized staff members have access to your medical information, and only when necessary to support your care.

HIPAA Compliance
As a healthcare provider, we follow all applicable federal and state privacy laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This means your medical information is handled with strict confidentiality and used only for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations unless you authorize otherwise.

Third‑Party Links
Our website may include links to external sites for your convenience. These sites operate independently and have their own privacy policies. We encourage you to review those policies before sharing any personal information.

Contact Us About Privacy
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact our office. We’re here to help you feel informed and secure every step of the way.