This policy explains what information Melissa Atchison Senior Care & Advocacy, LLC ("we," "us," or "the practice") collects, how it's used, and the rights you have — including specific disclosures required under Washington's My Health My Data Act. This page is informational and not a substitute for legal advice.
1. Who We Are
Melissa Atchison Senior Care & Advocacy, LLC is a Washington-based private-pay provider of in-home senior care and patient advocacy services. This policy applies to our website (melissaatchison.com) and to the personal and health information we collect in the course of providing care and advocacy services to clients.
2. Information We Collect Through This Website
This website does not use cookies, analytics tracking, or embedded forms. The "Email Melissa" and phone links on this site simply open your own email or phone app — nothing you send through them passes through or is stored by this website itself. Any information you choose to share by emailing or calling us directly becomes part of your client or inquiry record as described below.
3. Information We Collect Through Our Services
In the course of providing care, advocacy, and coordination services, we may collect information directly from you, your family members, or (with your consent) your other care providers, including:
- Contact information: name, address, phone number, email address, and emergency contact details.
- Health and care information: medical conditions, diagnoses, medications, care needs, mobility and cognitive status, appointment details, and other information relevant to providing hands-on care and advocacy.
- Care coordination information: notes from conversations with your medical providers, family members, or other professionals involved in your care, when shared with your consent.
- Billing information: information needed to invoice and receive payment for services.
4. Washington Consumer Health Data Notice (My Health My Data Act)
Washington's My Health My Data Act requires us to specifically disclose the following about the consumer health data we collect:
Categories of health data we collect
- Physical and mental health conditions and diagnoses
- Medications and treatment information
- Information about disability status or accommodations needed
- End-of-life and hospice-related care information
- Any other information you or your representatives share with us that relates to your physical or mental health
Purpose of collection
We collect this information solely to provide, coordinate, and bill for the hands-on care and patient advocacy services you've engaged us for — for example, understanding your care needs, communicating with your other providers on your behalf, and maintaining accurate service records.
How we use and share consumer health data
We do not sell consumer health data. We do not use geofencing near healthcare facilities. We only share your health information with third parties (such as other medical providers, family members, or hospice teams) when you've given consent for that specific purpose, or when required by law.
Consent
Before we collect consumer health data from you, we'll ask for your consent for that specific purpose. If we ever need to share your health data for a different purpose than originally discussed, we'll ask for your separate consent for that sharing before doing so.
Your rights
You have the right to:
- Confirm whether we are collecting, sharing, or selling your consumer health data, and access that data
- Request that we delete your consumer health data
- Withdraw consent you previously gave for the collection or sharing of your health data
To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the information at the bottom of this page. We will respond within the timeframe required by Washington law.
5. General Personal Information — Uses and Sharing
Beyond health data specifically, we use the contact and billing information you provide to communicate with you, schedule and deliver services, and process payment. We do not sell personal information to third parties, and we only share it with your other care providers or family members when appropriate to your care and, where required, with your consent.
6. Data Security
We take reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect the information we hold about you from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. No method of storage or transmission is completely secure, and we encourage you to reach out if you have questions about how specific information is handled.
7. Data Retention
We retain client information for as long as needed to provide services and to meet our legal, tax, and recordkeeping obligations, after which it is securely deleted or destroyed.
8. Children's Privacy
Our services and this website are intended for adults and are not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect information from children.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time as our practice or the law changes. The "last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision.
10. Contact Us
If you have questions about this policy or want to exercise any of the rights described above, reach out:
Email: melissa@melissaatchison.com
Phone: (206) 395-8441