Our Commitment to Your Privacy
WhatsAppMD (operated by HitchAfrica Technologies Limited) understands that medical information about you and your health is personal. We are committed to protecting your health information. This notice explains how we may use and share your Protected Health Information (PHI), and describes your rights regarding that information.
How We May Use and Disclose Your PHI
For Treatment: We may use your PHI to provide you with medical treatment and services. For example, we share your symptom history and medical background with the doctor treating you during your consultation.
For Payment: We may use and disclose your PHI to facilitate payment for services. For example, we share necessary information with your insurance provider to process claims.
For Healthcare Operations: We may use and disclose your PHI for quality assessment, training (anonymised), safety monitoring, and compliance activities.
As Required by Law: We will disclose your PHI when required by federal, state, or local law.
In Emergencies: We may disclose your PHI in emergency situations to avert a serious threat to health or safety, as permitted under HIPAA emergency exception provisions.
Your Rights Regarding Your PHI
Right to Inspect and Copy: You have the right to inspect and receive a copy of PHI that we maintain about you. We provide records in FHIR JSON or PDF format within 30 days of request.
Right to Amend: If you believe PHI we have about you is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment. We will respond within 60 days.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You have the right to request a list of disclosures we have made of your PHI, except for disclosures for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.
Right to Restrict Uses and Disclosures: You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your PHI. We will honour reasonable requests.
Right to Receive Confidential Communications: You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your health information in a certain way or at a certain location.
Right to a Paper Copy of this Notice: You have the right to a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically.
Breach Notification
In the event of a breach of unsecured PHI, we will notify you in accordance with HIPAA's Breach Notification Rule — typically within 60 days of discovering the breach. We will also notify the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and, for large breaches, prominent media outlets as required.
Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with WhatsAppMD or with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the US Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.
To file a complaint with WhatsAppMD: [email protected]
To file with HHS OCR: www.hhs.gov/ocr
Contact Our Privacy Officer
For questions about this Notice: [email protected]
WhatsAppMD Privacy Officer · HitchAfrica Technologies Limited