Privacy Policy

Effective Date: February 14, 2026

1. Introduction

SVS Advisors – Behavioral & Mental Health Service ("SVS Advisors," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your personal information and protected health information (PHI). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website (svsadvisors.website), contact us, or receive services at our facility located at 1310 Rockaway Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11236.

As a behavioral and mental health treatment center specializing in addiction treatment services, we are subject to strict privacy regulations including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), 42 CFR Part 2 (Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records), and applicable state laws. We take our legal and ethical obligations seriously and have implemented comprehensive policies and procedures to protect your information.

By accessing our website or using our services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our website or services.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect several types of information from and about users of our website and patients receiving treatment services:

2.1 Personal Information

When you interact with our website or contact us, we may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide, including but not limited to:

Name, address, email address, and telephone number
Date of birth and age
Insurance information
Emergency contact information
Employment and educational information
Information you provide in contact forms, inquiry forms, or admissions questionnaires

2.2 Protected Health Information (PHI)

For patients receiving treatment at SVS Advisors, we collect and maintain PHI as necessary to provide quality healthcare services. PHI may include:

Medical history, diagnosis, and treatment information
Mental health and substance use disorder assessment and treatment records
Medication information and prescription records
Laboratory test results and clinical observations
Progress notes, discharge summaries, and treatment plans
Billing and payment information
Any other individually identifiable health information created or received in the course of providing healthcare services

2.3 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing activities, including:

IP address and geographic location
Browser type and version
Operating system
Referring website and pages viewed
Date and time of visit
Clickstream data and website usage patterns

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for various purposes, depending on the context and type of information:

3.1 Website and General Communications

To respond to your inquiries and provide information about our services
To process admissions applications and verify insurance coverage
To improve our website functionality and user experience
To send informational updates, newsletters, and educational materials (with your consent)
To comply with legal obligations and protect our rights

3.2 Treatment, Payment, and Healthcare Operations (TPO)

We use and disclose PHI for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations as permitted by HIPAA:

Treatment: To provide, coordinate, and manage your healthcare services, including consultation with other healthcare providers involved in your care
Payment: To obtain payment for services provided, including billing your insurance company, verifying coverage, and processing claims
Healthcare Operations: To conduct quality assessment and improvement activities, professional training, accreditation, certification, licensing, auditing functions, and business planning

4. HIPAA Compliance

SVS Advisors is a covered entity under HIPAA and complies with the HIPAA Privacy Rule (45 CFR Parts 160 and 164). We have implemented administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect the privacy and security of your PHI.

4.1 Notice of Privacy Practices

As a patient, you have received or will receive our Notice of Privacy Practices, which provides detailed information about how we may use and disclose your PHI, your rights regarding your health information, and our legal obligations. The Notice of Privacy Practices is available at our facility and upon request.

4.2 Minimum Necessary Standard

We follow the HIPAA minimum necessary standard, which means we limit the use, disclosure, and requests of PHI to the minimum amount necessary to accomplish the intended purpose, except where prohibited by law.

4.3 Business Associates

We may share PHI with business associates who perform services on our behalf (such as billing companies, IT service providers, or accreditation organizations). We require all business associates to sign Business Associate Agreements committing them to protect your PHI in accordance with HIPAA requirements.

5. Protected Health Information (PHI) and Substance Use Disorder Records

Because SVS Advisors provides substance use disorder treatment services, certain patient records are protected by federal law under 42 CFR Part 2, which imposes stricter confidentiality requirements than HIPAA.

5.1 42 CFR Part 2 Protections

Records relating to substance use disorder diagnosis, treatment, or referral for treatment are subject to 42 CFR Part 2 and cannot be disclosed without your written consent, except in limited circumstances permitted by law, including:

Medical emergencies
Research, audit, or evaluation activities (with appropriate safeguards)
Court orders meeting specific legal requirements
Reports of suspected child abuse or neglect as required by state law
Qualified Service Organization Agreements (QSOAs) with contractors providing services to the program

5.2 Written Consent for Disclosure

To disclose substance use disorder treatment records protected by 42 CFR Part 2, we must obtain your written consent that includes:

The name of the program making the disclosure
The name or title of the individual or organization that will receive the disclosure
The name of the patient
The purpose or need for the disclosure
How much and what kind of information will be disclosed
A statement that the consent is subject to revocation at any time
The date, event, or condition upon which the consent expires
The signature of the patient (and date signed)

5.3 Prohibition on Re-disclosure

When we disclose substance use disorder treatment information with your consent, we inform recipients that the information is protected by federal law and cannot be re-disclosed without your further authorization or as otherwise permitted by 42 CFR Part 2.

6. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information or PHI to third parties for marketing purposes. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

6.1 With Your Consent

We may disclose your information to third parties when you provide explicit written authorization. You may revoke your authorization at any time in writing, except to the extent that we have already taken action in reliance on your authorization.

6.2 Treatment Coordination

We may share your PHI with other healthcare providers involved in your care, such as physicians, therapists, hospitals, pharmacies, and laboratories, to coordinate your treatment and ensure continuity of care.

6.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law, including:

In response to a court order, subpoena, or legal process (subject to 42 CFR Part 2 requirements for substance use disorder records)
To comply with mandatory reporting laws, such as reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
To public health authorities for disease prevention and surveillance
To law enforcement in limited circumstances, such as reporting crimes on our premises or responding to certain law enforcement requests
To coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors as necessary
For workers' compensation purposes when permitted by law

6.4 Health and Safety

We may disclose your PHI when necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to your health or safety or the health or safety of others.

6.5 Service Providers

We may share information with third-party service providers who perform functions on our behalf, such as website hosting, data analysis, payment processing, customer service, email delivery, and marketing assistance. These service providers are contractually obligated to use your information only for the purposes of providing services to us and to maintain the confidentiality and security of your information.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience and analyze website traffic.

7.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help websites remember your preferences and provide information about how you use the site.

7.2 Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies: Necessary for the website to function properly
Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously
Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and choices to provide enhanced features

7.3 Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to analyze website traffic and usage patterns. Google Analytics collects information anonymously and reports website trends without identifying individual visitors. You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

7.4 Managing Cookies

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can set your browser to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent. However, some parts of our website may not function properly if you disable cookies.

8. Your Rights Regarding Your Information

You have important rights regarding your personal information and PHI:

8.1 Right to Access

You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your PHI maintained in our designated record set. We will respond to your request within 30 days (with one 30-day extension if needed). We may charge a reasonable fee for copying and mailing costs.

8.2 Right to Amendment

If you believe that your PHI is incorrect or incomplete, you have the right to request an amendment. We may deny your request in certain circumstances, such as if the information was not created by us or if it is accurate and complete.

8.3 Right to an Accounting of Disclosures

You have the right to receive a list of certain disclosures we have made of your PHI for purposes other than treatment, payment, healthcare operations, or disclosures made with your authorization.

8.4 Right to Request Restrictions

You have the right to request restrictions on how we use and disclose your PHI. We are not required to agree to your request except in limited circumstances, such as when you pay out-of-pocket in full for a service and request that we not disclose the information to your health plan.

8.5 Right to Confidential Communications

You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your PHI in a certain way or at a certain location. For example, you may request that we contact you only at your work number or by mail.

8.6 Right to Revoke Authorization

You have the right to revoke any written authorization you have given us, except to the extent that we have already acted in reliance on your authorization.

8.7 Right to a Paper Copy of This Policy

You have the right to obtain a paper copy of this Privacy Policy upon request, even if you have agreed to receive the policy electronically.

9. Patient Rights Under HIPAA

As a healthcare provider, SVS Advisors respects and upholds your rights under HIPAA, including:

Right to Privacy: Your health information will be used and disclosed only as permitted by law and this policy
Right to Notification: You will be notified if there is a breach of your unsecured PHI
Right to File a Complaint: You have the right to file a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated, without fear of retaliation

To exercise any of these rights or to file a complaint, please contact our Privacy Officer using the information provided in Section 14 below.

10. Data Security

We have implemented comprehensive administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect your personal information and PHI from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

10.1 Administrative Safeguards

Privacy and security policies and procedures
Workforce training on privacy and security practices
Designated Privacy Officer and Security Officer
Access controls limiting employee access to PHI based on job responsibilities
Sanction policies for workforce members who violate privacy policies

10.2 Physical Safeguards

Secure facility access controls
Locked storage for paper records
Secure disposal of PHI through shredding and secure electronic deletion
Workstation and device security measures

10.3 Technical Safeguards

Encryption of electronic PHI in transit and at rest
Unique user identification and authentication
Automatic logoff after periods of inactivity
Audit controls and monitoring of information system activity
Firewall protection and intrusion detection systems
Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments

10.4 Data Breach Response

In the event of a breach of unsecured PHI, we will conduct a risk assessment and notify affected individuals, the Department of Health and Human Services, and, if required, the media, in accordance with HIPAA Breach Notification Rule requirements.

11. Children's Privacy

Our website is not intended for children under 13 years of age, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through our website. If you are under 13, do not provide any information on our website. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without parental consent, we will delete that information promptly.

For patients under 18 years of age receiving treatment services, we comply with applicable state laws regarding consent for treatment and parental access to health information. In certain circumstances, minors may have the right to consent to treatment and control access to their health information.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time. When we make changes, we will update the "Effective Date" at the top of this policy. If we make material changes to how we use or disclose PHI, we will provide notice as required by law, which may include posting a notice on our website or providing direct notice to patients.

We are required to abide by the terms of the Privacy Policy currently in effect. However, we reserve the right to change the terms of our Privacy Policy and to make the new policy provisions effective for all PHI we maintain, including information created or received before the changes were made.

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.

13. Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites for your convenience and information. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.

14. Contact Us for Privacy Concerns

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your privacy rights, or believe your privacy rights have been violated, please contact our Privacy Officer:

SVS Advisors Privacy Officer
SVS Advisors – Behavioral & Mental Health Service
1310 Rockaway Pkwy
Brooklyn, NY 11236
Phone: (332) 223-4021
Email: [email protected]

We will investigate all complaints and take appropriate action. You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint.

Filing a Complaint with Government Agencies

You also have the right to file a complaint with:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office for Civil Rights
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Phone: 1-877-696-6775
Website: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/

New York State Department of Health
Bureau of House Counsel, Regulatory Affairs Unit
Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12237-0002
Phone: (518) 473-7488

15. Acknowledgment

By using our website or receiving services at SVS Advisors, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to its terms. If you have any questions or concerns about our privacy practices, please do not hesitate to contact us.

This Privacy Policy is effective as of February 14, 2026, and supersedes all prior versions.