Website Privacy Policy
Effective Date: October 7, 2026
Last Updated: October 7, 2026
Pacific Foot & Ankle Center respects your privacy. This Website Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information when you visit our website, submit a form, or interact with our online services.
By using this website, you acknowledge the practices described in this policy.
Scope of This Policy
This policy applies to information collected through:
- The Pacific Foot & Ankle Center website
- Contact forms
- Appointment-request forms
- Cookies and similar technologies
- Analytics and website-security tools
- Other features available through this website
This policy applies only to information collected through the website. It does not replace our separate Notice of Privacy Practices, which explains how we may use and disclose protected health information in connection with treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.
Information We Collect
Information You Provide
We may collect information you voluntarily provide through our website, including:
- Your name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Appointment preferences
- Whether you are a new or existing patient
- General reason for requesting an appointment
- Messages submitted through a form
- Other information you choose to provide
Please do not submit detailed medical information, medical records, payment-card information, Social Security numbers, or other sensitive information through a general website form.
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit the website, certain information may be collected automatically, including:
- Internet Protocol address
- Browser and device type
- Operating system
- Pages viewed
- Links selected
- Referring website
- Approximate geographic location
- Date and time of access
- Website performance and error information
- Cookie or analytics identifiers
This information may be collected through cookies, server logs, analytics services, security tools, and similar technologies.
How We Use Information
We may use information collected through the website to:
- Respond to questions and requests
- Process appointment requests
- Contact you about scheduling
- Provide requested information
- Operate and maintain the website
- Improve website content and usability
- Understand how visitors use the website
- Detect spam, fraud, or security threats
- Maintain business and operational records
- Comply with legal and regulatory obligations
- Protect the rights, safety, and property of patients, visitors, and the practice
Submitting an appointment request does not establish a doctor-patient relationship or confirm an appointment. A member of our team must contact you to finalize scheduling.
Appointment and Contact Forms
Website forms are provided for general communication and appointment requests. They should not be used to submit:
- Detailed medical histories
- Diagnoses or treatment information
- Medical records
- Prescription requests
- Payment-card information
- Social Security numbers
- Urgent or emergency medical concerns
Electronic communication may not always be secure. If you need to discuss sensitive medical information, contact the office at (949) 855-1177.
Do not use this website for a medical emergency. Call 911 or seek immediate emergency care.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
The website may use cookies and similar technologies to remember preferences, maintain website functionality, measure performance, prevent spam, and understand visitor activity.
These technologies may include:
- Essential website cookies
- WordPress or website-platform cookies
- Analytics tools
- Security and spam-prevention tools
- Embedded Google Maps
- Form-processing technologies
- Other third-party website services
You can adjust your browser settings to block or delete cookies. Disabling certain cookies may affect how some website features function.
Where required, the website may provide a cookie-consent tool that allows you to manage nonessential cookies.
Analytics and Third-Party Services
We may use third-party services to operate, analyze, secure, or improve the website. These providers may collect information about your browser, device, IP address, or website interactions according to their own privacy practices.
Services may include website hosting, analytics, form processing, email delivery, spam prevention, embedded maps, and security monitoring.
We do not control the privacy practices of third-party websites or services. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing information.
How We May Share Information
We may disclose information collected through the website:
- To vendors helping us host, maintain, secure, or analyze the website
- To service providers processing forms or communications
- To professional advisers, such as attorneys, accountants, or compliance consultants
- When required by law, court order, subpoena, or government request
- To investigate suspected fraud, security incidents, or unlawful activity
- To protect the rights, property, health, or safety of the practice or others
- In connection with a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or transfer of business assets
- With your direction or consent
Service providers are permitted to access information only as reasonably necessary to perform services on our behalf and subject to applicable contractual and legal requirements.
Medical Information and HIPAA
Information maintained by Pacific Foot & Ankle Center as part of your medical or billing record may be protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and other applicable laws.
Our Notice of Privacy Practices explains:
- How medical information may be used and disclosed
- Your rights concerning your medical information
- Our responsibilities for protecting protected health information
- How to submit a privacy question or complaint
If information submitted through the website becomes part of your medical record, it will be handled according to the Notice of Privacy Practices and applicable law.
Data Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect information collected through the website.
However, no website, email system, internet transmission, or electronic storage method can be guaranteed to be completely secure. You submit information through the website at your own risk.
If you believe information you submitted has been accessed or used improperly, contact the office promptly.
Data Retention
We may retain information for as long as reasonably necessary to:
- Respond to your request
- Schedule or manage an appointment
- Operate the practice and website
- Maintain appropriate business records
- Resolve disputes
- Enforce agreements
- Meet legal, regulatory, or compliance obligations
Retention periods may vary based on the type of information and the reason it was collected.
Your Privacy Choices
Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have the right to request:
- Information about personal information we maintain
- Correction of inaccurate personal information
- Deletion of certain personal information
- Information about how personal information is used or disclosed
- Withdrawal from nonessential communications
These rights may be subject to legal exceptions. Some information may need to be retained for medical, billing, legal, security, or recordkeeping purposes.
To submit a request, contact us using the information at the end of this policy. We may need to verify your identity before completing a request.
California Privacy Rights
California residents may have additional privacy rights under applicable California law. Depending on whether a particular law applies, these rights may include the right to:
- Know what categories of personal information are collected
- Request access to certain personal information
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request deletion, subject to exceptions
- Obtain information about certain disclosures
- Opt out of certain sales or sharing of personal information
- Receive equal service without unlawful discrimination for exercising privacy rights
Pacific Foot & Ankle Center does not sell personal information for monetary payment.
Some website technologies may involve disclosures to analytics or service providers. Where California law treats a disclosure as a sale or sharing and provides an opt-out right, we will honor legally valid requests as required.
Browser Privacy Signals
Some browsers provide Do Not Track settings or Global Privacy Control signals. Because there is no uniform standard for all browser signals, the website may not respond to every Do Not Track setting.
Where required by applicable law, we will process recognized opt-out preference signals, including Global Privacy Control, as legally required.
Children’s Privacy
This website is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13 without appropriate authorization.
A parent or legal guardian may use the website to request care for a child. If you believe a child has submitted personal information without appropriate authorization, contact us so we can review the request.
Email and Text Communications
If you provide an email address or phone number, we may use it to respond to your request or communicate about scheduling.
Email and text messages may not always be secure. Do not send sensitive medical information through an unsecured email or text message.
You may request that nonessential communications stop by following the instructions in the message or contacting the office. Communications necessary for treatment, scheduling, payment, or legal purposes may still be sent when permitted.
External Links
The website may include links to insurance companies, treatment manufacturers, Google Maps, social media platforms, or other third-party websites.
Pacific Foot & Ankle Center is not responsible for the content, security, or privacy practices of external websites. Visiting a third-party website is subject to that organization’s terms and privacy policy.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Website Privacy Policy as our services, technology, or legal obligations change.
The revised policy will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. We encourage visitors to review this policy periodically.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Website Privacy Policy or how website information is handled, contact:
Pacific Foot & Ankle Center
24191 Paseo De Valencia, Suite E
Laguna Woods, CA 92637
Phone: (949) 855-1177