Michael D. Lesem, MD PA (“we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information when you visit our website, respond to our Facebook or Instagram advertisements, submit a form, call or text us, or otherwise communicate with our office.

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This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through our website, online scheduling requests, social media advertising, and related communications. It does not replace our Notice of Privacy Practices, which describes how we use and disclose protected health information in connection with treatment, payment, and health care operations.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of information:

Information you provide directly

• Name

• Email address

• Phone number

• Preferred method of contact

• General appointment or service inquiry information

• Insurance-related intake information you choose to provide

• Any other information you submit through our website forms, ad lead forms, phone calls, text messages, email, or patient intake systems

Information collected automatically

• IP address

• Browser type

• Device information

• Pages visited on our website

• Date/time of visits

• Referring website or ad interaction data

• Cookie and similar technology data

Advertising-related information
If you interact with our Facebook or Instagram ads, we may receive information such as whether you clicked an ad, submitted a lead form, visited our website after seeing an ad, or contacted us through a Meta platform.

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2. How We Use Information

We may use information we collect to:

• Respond to inquiries

• Contact you about scheduling, services, or office logistics

• Verify benefits or discuss administrative matters

• Improve our website, advertising, and user experience

• Measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns

• Maintain security and prevent fraud or misuse

• Comply with legal, regulatory, and professional obligations

We do not use information submitted through Facebook, Instagram, or our website to publicly identify anyone as a patient or to disclose mental health treatment information for marketing purposes.

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3. Important Warning About Social Media and Online Forms

Please do not submit highly sensitive medical information, detailed symptoms, diagnosis information, medication lists, psychotherapy notes, or emergency requests through website contact forms, Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, comments, or ad lead forms unless you are specifically directed to a secure, HIPAA-compliant channel.

Social media platforms and standard web forms may not be appropriate for urgent or highly sensitive communications. If you are experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you are in crisis or considering self-harm, call or text 988.

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4. Cookies, Analytics, and Advertising Technologies

We may use cookies and similar technologies to operate our website, understand traffic patterns, and improve advertising performance.

We may use tools offered by third parties, including Meta, to help us understand whether our ads are effective. These tools may collect information about ad interactions, website visits, or similar engagement metrics.

We do not intentionally use advertising or analytics tools in a manner that discloses protected health information or psychotherapy notes to third parties. Where appropriate, we limit tracking technologies, use consent tools, configure privacy settings, and avoid placing tracking technologies on patient portals, online therapy pages, or other areas that could reveal sensitive health information.

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5. Facebook and Instagram Ads

We may promote our services through Facebook and Instagram ads. If you submit information through a Meta lead form or contact feature, that information may first be collected by Meta and then shared with us according to Meta’s platform settings and terms.

We use information from ad responses to:

• Follow up with you about services you requested

• Provide scheduling information

• Improve future advertising

• Maintain business records of inquiries

We do not sell patient lists or disclose your mental health treatment status to advertisers. We do not knowingly create custom advertising audiences from protected health information in a manner not permitted by law.

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6. How We Share Information

We may share information:

• With service providers who help us operate our website, communications, scheduling, billing, hosting, or business systems

• With insurers or payment processors, when appropriate

• With legal, compliance, or professional advisors

• When required by law, subpoena, court order, licensing authority, or regulatory obligation

• To protect safety, rights, property, or the public

• As otherwise permitted or required under applicable health privacy laws

If information qualifies as protected health information, we handle it in accordance with our Notice of Privacy Practices and applicable law.

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7. No Sale of Sensitive Health Information

We do not sell your protected health information. We do not knowingly sell sensitive mental health information. We do not use psychotherapy notes for advertising.

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8. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including responding to inquiries, maintaining business and legal records, complying with medical-record retention rules, resolving disputes, and enforcing our agreements.

Retention periods may vary depending on whether the information is part of a medical record, intake record, billing record, or general website inquiry.

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9. Security

We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information and protected health information, as appropriate to the nature of the information and our legal obligations. No internet transmission or storage system can be guaranteed to be 100% secure, but we take reasonable steps to safeguard information.

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10. Your Choices and Rights

Depending on applicable law, you may have rights regarding certain personal information, such as the right to:

• Request access to certain information

• Request correction of inaccurate information

• Request deletion of certain information, where applicable

• Manage cookies through your browser or consent tool

• Opt out of certain non-essential tracking technologies, where available

If you are a patient, your rights regarding protected health information are described more fully in our Notice of Privacy Practices.

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11. Children’s Privacy

Our website and advertising are not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information online from children under 13 through our public website or social media advertising without appropriate authorization.

If treatment involves minors, privacy rights may be handled according to applicable law, parental rights rules, consent rules, and professional standards.

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12. Third-Party Websites and Platforms

Our website, ads, or communications may link to third-party websites or platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. We are not responsible for the privacy, security, or content practices of third parties. Please review the privacy policies of those third parties before submitting information.

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13. HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

If you become a patient of [Practice Name], your medical information may also be governed by our separate Notice of Privacy Practices, which explains:

• How we may use and disclose protected health information

• Your rights regarding your medical information

• Our legal duties under HIPAA and related laws

You may request a copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices by contacting us at the information below.

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14. Texas Privacy Information

If Texas law applies to certain personal data we collect outside the medical-record context, you may have additional privacy rights under applicable Texas law, subject to exemptions and legal limitations. Requests may be submitted using the contact information below.

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15. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Your continued use of our website after changes are posted means the updated policy will apply to future interactions, to the extent permitted by law. Please do not include diagnosis details, medication information, psychotherapy content, or other sensitive medical information in this form. This form is for general inquiries and scheduling only.

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16. Contact Us

Michael D. Lesem, MD PA
4306  Yoakum Blvd, Ste 230

Houston, TX 77006
Phone: (832) 538-1479
Email: info@LesemMD.com
Website: www.LesemMD.com

For privacy questions or to request a copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices, contact us using the information above.