Privacy Policy

Effective Date: September 15, 2026
Last Updated: September 15, 2026

CROWN Obstetrics and Gynecology (“CROWN OB/Gyn,” “CROWN,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the information entrusted to us.

This Privacy Policy explains how we may collect, use, disclose, and protect information obtained through our public website, online forms, and certain electronic communications.

1. Scope of This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy primarily applies to information collected through CROWN’s public website and related online services.

If you are a patient of CROWN Obstetrics and Gynecology, some information about your medical care may constitute protected health information (“PHI”) under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) and other applicable federal and Massachusetts laws.

CROWN’s practices regarding PHI are addressed separately in our Notice of Privacy Practices.

If there is a conflict between this Privacy Policy and CROWN’s Notice of Privacy Practices regarding PHI, the Notice of Privacy Practices and applicable law will govern.

2. Information We May Collect

Depending upon how you interact with CROWN, we may collect information including:

·       your name;

·       telephone or mobile telephone number;

·       email address;

·       mailing address;

·       date of birth;

·       appointment preferences;

·       requested healthcare provider or location;

·       insurance-related information;

·       information submitted through appointment request or patient forms;

·       information you voluntarily provide in messages or other communications;

·       communication preferences, including SMS preferences;

·       IP address;

·       browser and device information;

·       pages viewed and interactions with our website;

·       approximate location derived from an IP address; and

·       cookies, analytics data, and similar technical information.

Please avoid providing highly sensitive medical information through general website contact forms unless a form is specifically intended for that purpose.

3. How We Use Information

CROWN may use information collected through its website or online services to:

·       respond to inquiries;

·       process appointment requests;

·       schedule or manage appointments;

·       communicate about appointments;

·       facilitate patient registration or check-in;

·       provide links to patient forms;

·       provide requested information;

·       provide patient-service communications;

·       maintain communication preferences;

·       operate, secure, and improve our website;

·       troubleshoot technical issues;

·       analyze website performance and usage;

·       maintain records;

·       comply with legal and regulatory requirements; and

·       protect the rights, safety, privacy, and security of patients, staff, CROWN, and others.

Information that constitutes PHI will be used and disclosed in accordance with HIPAA, CROWN’s Notice of Privacy Practices, and other applicable law.

4. Service Providers and Disclosure of Information

CROWN may use companies or individuals that provide services on our behalf, including:

·       website hosting providers;

·       information technology providers;

·       electronic health record or practice management vendors;

·       scheduling and patient engagement providers;

·       text messaging and telecommunications providers;

·       email service providers;

·       payment processors;

·       analytics and website performance providers;

·       professional advisers; and

·       other contractors supporting CROWN’s operations.

These providers may receive information when necessary to perform services for CROWN.

Where required by HIPAA, vendors handling PHI on CROWN’s behalf are subject to appropriate contractual and legal privacy and security requirements.

CROWN may also disclose information where required or permitted by law, including in response to lawful legal process or where reasonably necessary to protect patients, staff, CROWN, or others.

5. Mobile Information and SMS Consent

CROWN Obstetrics and Gynecology takes additional precautions with information associated with its text messaging program.

CROWN does not share, sell, rent, transfer, or provide mobile telephone numbers, SMS opt-in information, or text messaging consent to third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.

Any description elsewhere in this Privacy Policy regarding disclosure of personal information to service providers or other organizations does not authorize the use or disclosure of SMS opt-in information or consent for third-party marketing or promotional purposes.

Text messaging consent is specific to CROWN Obstetrics and Gynecology and is not transferable to another business or organization for that organization’s marketing.

CROWN may provide mobile information to vendors or contractors only when reasonably necessary for them to operate communications systems or perform services on CROWN’s behalf.

Those service providers are not permitted to use your mobile information or SMS consent for their own marketing or promotional purposes.

6. CROWN Text Messaging Program

If you consent to receive text messages from CROWN Obstetrics and Gynecology, CROWN may send recurring SMS or MMS communications regarding your relationship with our practice.

Messages may include:

·       appointment confirmations;

·       appointment reminders;

·       scheduling or rescheduling communications;

·       appointment request follow-up;

·       registration and check-in notifications;

·       links to patient intake forms;

·       office closure or scheduling notices;

·       patient-service or care-coordination communications;

·       billing or administrative notifications; and

·       other healthcare-related communications that you request or authorize.

Message frequency varies based on your appointments, requests, interactions with CROWN, and the services you receive.

Message and data rates may apply.

You may stop text messages at any time by replying STOP.

For assistance, reply HELP, call 617-479-6636, or email pberrick@gmail.com.

Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of receiving healthcare services from CROWN Obstetrics and Gynecology.

7. Text Messaging Consent

CROWN obtains consent to receive SMS or MMS communications through an appropriate opt-in process.

Where CROWN requests text messaging consent through an online or paper form, the option to receive text messages should be presented separately from general acceptance of website Terms or other agreements.

CROWN does not treat your acceptance of this Privacy Policy or the general Terms of Use, by itself, as consent to receive text messages.

You may withdraw SMS consent at any time by replying STOP.

8. SMS and Electronic Communication Security

Standard SMS and MMS communications may not provide the same degree of encryption and security available through a secure patient portal.

Information sent by text message may potentially be viewed by anyone with access to your mobile device or telephone account.

Patients should use secure communication methods designated by CROWN when communicating particularly sensitive or detailed medical information.

Nothing in this section reduces CROWN’s responsibilities under HIPAA or other applicable privacy laws.

9. Cookies and Website Technologies

CROWN’s website may use cookies and similar technologies to support website functionality, maintain security, remember preferences, and understand how visitors interact with our website.

We may use analytics technologies to better understand information such as:

·       website traffic;

·       pages viewed;

·       browser and device types;

·       referring websites; and

·       general website usage patterns.

CROWN does not intentionally use website tracking technologies to disclose PHI to advertising or marketing platforms in a manner prohibited by applicable law.

10. Protected Health Information and HIPAA

Information created, received, maintained, or transmitted by CROWN in connection with providing healthcare services may be protected by HIPAA.

Depending upon applicable law, patients may have rights regarding certain medical information, including rights to:

·       inspect or obtain copies of certain health records;

·       request corrections or amendments;

·       request certain restrictions;

·       request confidential communications;

·       obtain information about certain disclosures; and

·       submit a privacy complaint.

For complete information concerning CROWN’s HIPAA privacy practices and your rights regarding PHI, please review CROWN’s Notice of Privacy Practices.

A copy may be requested by contacting CROWN Obstetrics and Gynecology at 617-479-6636.

This website Privacy Policy does not replace CROWN’s Notice of Privacy Practices.

11. Data Security

CROWN uses administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

No website, electronic communication system, email service, or text messaging service can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

General website forms, ordinary email, and SMS should not be used for medical emergencies or other communications requiring immediate attention.

12. Data Retention

CROWN retains information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which the information was collected and as necessary to:

·       provide healthcare and administrative services;

·       maintain required medical or business records;

·       comply with legal and regulatory obligations;

·       resolve disputes;

·       maintain security; and

·       meet legitimate operational requirements.

Retention periods vary depending on the type of information and applicable law.

13. Information Concerning Minors

CROWN may provide obstetric and gynecologic healthcare services to minors as permitted by law.

Information collected in connection with healthcare provided to a minor will be handled in accordance with HIPAA and applicable federal and Massachusetts laws regarding minors’ healthcare, consent, confidentiality, and parental or guardian access.

CROWN’s general public website is not intended to solicit personal information directly from children under 13 without appropriate authorization.

14. Your Communication Choices

You may ask CROWN to stop sending certain nonessential communications.

For SMS or MMS communications, reply STOP to unsubscribe.

Choosing not to receive text messages will not affect your ability to receive medical care from CROWN.

CROWN may continue to communicate with you through other appropriate channels when necessary for your healthcare, scheduling, billing, administrative matters, safety, or as otherwise permitted or required by law.

15. Third-Party Websites

CROWN’s website may contain links to websites or services operated by organizations that CROWN does not control.

CROWN is not responsible for the privacy, security, or content practices of unrelated third-party websites.

We encourage visitors to review the privacy policies applicable to those services before providing personal information.

16. Changes to This Privacy Policy

CROWN may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, technology, legal requirements, or privacy practices.

Updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date.

17. Contact CROWN Obstetrics and Gynecology

Questions about this Privacy Policy or CROWN’s privacy practices may be directed to:

CROWN Obstetrics and Gynecology
Attn: Privacy Contact
300 Congress Street
Quincy, MA 02169

Phone: 617-479-6636
Email: pberrick@gmail.com

Questions regarding protected health information or HIPAA rights should be directed to CROWN using the contact information above or addressed according to CROWN’s Notice of Privacy Practices.