Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy, Notice of Privacy Practices, and SMS Terms & Conditions
Effective Date: July 21, 2026
Last Updated: July 21, 2026
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED, HOW YOU CAN ACCESS THAT INFORMATION, HOW WE HANDLE OTHER PERSONAL INFORMATION, AND THE TERMS THAT APPLY TO SMS COMMUNICATIONS. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
Rawls Physical Therapy respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal and health information entrusted to us. This page explains:
The personal information we collect through our website, forms, communications, and services;
How we use and share that information;
Our responsibilities and your rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, commonly known as HIPAA; and
The terms that apply when you choose to receive text messages from Rawls Physical Therapy.
In this notice, “Rawls Physical Therapy,” “Rawls PT,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Rawls Physical Therapy and the workforce members and service providers acting on its behalf.
This notice applies to information collected through our website, patient intake process, appointment requests, telephone calls, email communications, SMS communications, in-person services, billing activities, and other interactions with Rawls Physical Therapy.
When information qualifies as protected health information under HIPAA, the Notice of Privacy Practices section below applies. If there is a conflict between the general provisions of this Privacy Policy and the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, applicable law and the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices will control.
1. General Privacy Policy
Information We May Collect
Depending on how you interact with Rawls Physical Therapy, we may collect the following categories of information.
Personal and Contact Information
This may include:
- Your name;
- Mailing address;
- Email address;
- Telephone or mobile phone number;
- Date of birth;
- Emergency contact information;
- Parent, guardian, caregiver, or authorized representative information; and
- Other identifiers you voluntarily provide.
Appointment and Service Information
This may include:
- Appointment requests;
- Appointment dates and times;
- Scheduling preferences;
- Attendance and cancellation information;
- Referring provider information;
- Services requested or received; and
- Communications about your appointments or account.
Health and Medical Information
When you become a patient or request treatment, we may collect information such as:
- Medical history;
- Symptoms or reason for seeking treatment;
- Diagnoses;
- Treatment plans;
- Physical therapy evaluations;
- Progress and treatment notes;
- Prescription or physician referral information;
- Functional limitations;
- Work-related injury information; and
- Other health information needed to provide care.
Health and medical information that identifies you may be protected health information under HIPAA.
Insurance, Billing, and Payment Information
This may include:
- Health insurance information;
- Member or policy numbers;
- Claim and authorization information;
- Billing address;
- Account balances;
- Payment history;
- Workers’ compensation information; and
- Payment transaction information.
Payment card information may be processed by a third-party payment processor rather than stored directly by Rawls Physical Therapy.
Communication and Consent Information
We may maintain records of:
- Telephone calls, emails, and messages you send to us;
- Responses provided by Rawls Physical Therapy;
- SMS consent, including the date and method of consent;
- SMS opt-out requests;
- Communication preferences; and
- Records needed to document that we honored your communication choices.
Website and Technical Information
When you visit our website, certain information may be collected automatically, such as:
- Internet Protocol address;
- Browser and device type;
- Operating system;
- Pages visited;
- Links selected;
- Date and time of access;
- Referring website;
- Approximate geographic location derived from an IP address; and
- Cookie or similar technology information.
We may use this information to operate, secure, troubleshoot, and improve the website.
How We Collect Information
We may collect information:
- Directly from you;
- From a parent, guardian, caregiver, or authorized representative;
- Through patient intake, appointment, contact, or consent forms;
- During telephone, email, SMS, or in-person conversations;
- From referring physicians and other healthcare providers;
- From health insurance plans, workers’ compensation carriers, and other payers;
- From vendors that assist with scheduling, billing, communications, website operation, or other services; and
- Automatically when you use our website.
How We Use Information
Rawls Physical Therapy may use personal information to:
- Respond to questions and appointment requests;
- Schedule, confirm, reschedule, or cancel appointments;
- Provide, coordinate, and document physical therapy services;
- Communicate with referring physicians and other treating providers;
- Confirm insurance coverage and obtain authorizations;
- Submit claims and collect payment;
- Provide appointment, account, and service-related updates;
- Conduct quality assessment and improvement activities;
- Operate and manage the practice;
- Train and supervise workforce members;
- Maintain business, medical, billing, and compliance records;
- Protect patients, staff members, visitors, and the practice;
- Detect or prevent fraud, misuse, security incidents, or unlawful conduct;
- Comply with legal, regulatory, licensing, and professional obligations;
- Improve our website and services; and
- Communicate about services when permitted by law and consistent with your communication preferences.
We will not use protected health information for purposes that require written authorization unless you provide that authorization.
How We May Share Information
Rawls Physical Therapy may share information when permitted or required for the following purposes.
Treatment and Care Coordination
We may share relevant information with physicians, therapists, healthcare facilities, pharmacies, laboratories, or other professionals involved in your treatment or care.
Insurance, Billing, and Payment
We may share information with health plans, insurance carriers, workers’ compensation carriers, billing companies, payment processors, collection services, or other parties responsible for payment.
Service Providers and Business Associates
We may use vendors that help us operate our practice, including vendors that provide:
- Electronic health record services;
- Appointment scheduling;
- Billing and payment processing;
- Website hosting;
- Data storage and security;
- Email and SMS communication;
- Information technology support;
- Document management; and
- Professional consulting services.
When required by HIPAA, service providers that receive protected health information must enter into appropriate business associate agreements and may use the information only as permitted by those agreements and applicable law.
Legal, Safety, and Regulatory Purposes
We may disclose information:
- When required by federal, state, or local law;
- To public health or health oversight authorities;
- In response to a valid court order, subpoena, or other lawful process;
- For workers’ compensation purposes;
- To report suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence when permitted or required;
- To prevent or reduce a serious threat to health or safety; or
- To investigate or respond to suspected fraud, security incidents, or unlawful activity.
At Your Direction
We may share information with a family member, caregiver, personal representative, attorney, employer, or other person when you direct us to do so or when applicable law otherwise permits the disclosure.
SMS Information and Marketing
SMS opt-in and phone numbers collected for SMS communication purposes will not be shared with any third party and affiliates for marketing purposes.
For clarity, Rawls Physical Therapy does not sell, rent, or disclose SMS consent records or mobile phone numbers to outside parties or affiliates for their own marketing or promotional use.
We may provide a mobile phone number and related messaging information to a technology provider solely when necessary to deliver, route, manage, or support Rawls Physical Therapy’s text-message communications. Those providers may not use the information for their own marketing purposes.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
Our website may use cookies, server logs, and similar technologies to support website functionality, understand general website usage, remember preferences, prevent abuse, and improve performance.
Most browsers allow you to reject, limit, or delete cookies. Blocking certain cookies may affect the availability or operation of some website features.
Third-Party Websites
Our website may contain links to websites or services operated by other organizations. Rawls Physical Therapy does not control the privacy practices, security, or content of those third-party websites. You should review the privacy notice of a third-party website before providing personal information to it.
Data Security
We use reasonable administrative, physical, and technical safeguards designed to protect personal information and protected health information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure.
However, no website, email system, text-message system, transmission method, or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Please do not send highly sensitive medical, insurance, financial, or identification information through a general website form, ordinary email, or SMS unless Rawls Physical Therapy has instructed you to do so.
Data Retention
We retain personal information, medical records, billing records, consent records, and communication records for as long as reasonably necessary to:
- Provide services;
- Maintain accurate patient and business records;
- Complete billing and insurance activities;
- Document consent and communication preferences;
- Resolve disputes;
- Meet legal, regulatory, licensing, and professional requirements; and
- Enforce applicable agreements.
Information that is no longer required may be securely deleted, destroyed, or de-identified in accordance with our record-retention procedures and applicable law.
Information Concerning Minor Patients
Rawls Physical Therapy may provide services to minors. A parent, legal guardian, or other authorized representative may provide personal and health information on behalf of a minor.
Rights concerning a minor’s health information may belong to the parent, guardian, minor, or another authorized person depending on the circumstances and applicable law.
2. HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
Our Responsibilities
Rawls Physical Therapy is required to:
- Maintain the privacy and security of protected health information;
- Provide you with a notice explaining our privacy practices and legal responsibilities;
- Follow the privacy practices described in the notice currently in effect;
- Provide you with a copy of this notice upon request;
- Notify you as required by law if a breach may have compromised the privacy or security of your protected health information; and
- Use or disclose only the information reasonably necessary for a permitted purpose when the HIPAA minimum-necessary standard applies.
Except as described in this notice or otherwise permitted by law, we will not use or disclose your protected health information without your written authorization.
You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time. A revocation will not affect actions already taken in reliance on the authorization.
How We Typically Use or Share Protected Health Information
Treatment
We may use and share your health information to provide, coordinate, and manage your treatment.
For example, we may share relevant evaluation or progress information with your referring physician or another healthcare professional involved in your care.
Payment
We may use and share your health information to bill for services and receive payment.
For example, we may provide information to your health insurance plan so it can process a claim, confirm coverage, review medical necessity, or authorize treatment.
Healthcare Operations
We may use and share your health information to operate the practice and improve the care we provide.
Healthcare operations may include:
- Quality assessment;
- Staff training;
- Credentialing;
- Licensing activities;
- Audits;
- Compliance reviews;
- Customer service;
- Business management;
- Legal and accounting services; and
- Evaluating treatment outcomes.
Appointment and Care-Related Communications
We may contact you by telephone, voicemail, mail, email, or SMS to:
- Remind you of an appointment;
- Confirm or reschedule an appointment;
- Respond to an appointment request;
- Discuss treatment coordination;
- Provide information about treatment alternatives; or
- Inform you about other health-related services that may be relevant to your care.
You may request that we contact you in a different way or at a different location.
Other Permitted or Required Uses and Disclosures
Subject to applicable legal requirements, Rawls Physical Therapy may use or disclose health information for the following purposes.
Public Health and Safety
We may share information for legally permitted public-health or safety activities, including:
- Preventing or controlling disease;
- Reporting adverse events;
- Reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence;
- Assisting with product recalls; and
- Preventing or reducing a serious threat to health or safety.
Research
We may use or disclose information for health research when the research is approved or otherwise permitted under applicable law.
Compliance With Law
We may disclose information when federal, state, or local law requires it, including disclosures to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for HIPAA compliance activities.
Health Oversight
We may disclose information to health oversight agencies for legally authorized audits, investigations, inspections, licensing, or disciplinary proceedings.
Workers’ Compensation
We may disclose information as authorized or required for workers’ compensation claims and similar programs.
Law Enforcement and Government Functions
We may disclose information for certain authorized law-enforcement purposes and special government functions, including military, national security, and protective-service activities.
Legal Proceedings
We may disclose health information in response to a valid court or administrative order, subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process, subject to applicable protections.
Medical Examiners and Funeral Directors
We may share information with a coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director when permitted or required by law.
Organ and Tissue Donation
We may disclose information to organizations involved in organ, eye, or tissue donation and transplantation when applicable.
Your Choices
In certain situations, you may tell us how you would like your information handled.
You may ask us to:
- Share relevant information with family members, close friends, caregivers, or others involved in your care or payment for your care;
- Contact a person who is assisting you;
- Share information for disaster-relief purposes; or
- Avoid sharing information with particular individuals when legally possible.
If you are unable to communicate your preference, we may share limited information when we reasonably believe the disclosure is in your best interest or is needed to reduce a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.
We generally must obtain your written authorization before:
- Using protected health information for marketing that is not otherwise permitted by HIPAA;
- Selling protected health information;
- Using or disclosing most psychotherapy notes; or
- Using or disclosing information for another purpose not described in this notice.
If Rawls Physical Therapy ever contacts you for fundraising purposes, you may ask not to receive future fundraising communications.
Your Health Information Rights
Obtain a Copy of Your Records
You may ask to inspect or receive an electronic or paper copy of the medical and billing information we maintain about you.
We generally will provide the requested information or a summary within the period required by law. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee when permitted.
In limited situations, we may deny access to certain information. When a reviewable denial applies, we will explain how you may request a review of the decision.
Request a Correction
You may ask us to correct health information that you believe is incorrect or incomplete.
We may deny the request in certain circumstances, but we will provide a written explanation within the period required by law. You may have the right to submit a statement of disagreement for inclusion in your record.
Request Confidential Communications
You may ask us to contact you in a particular way or at a different address.
For example, you may ask us to call only a particular phone number or send mail to an alternate address. We will accommodate reasonable requests.
Request Restrictions
You may ask us not to use or disclose certain health information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
We are not always required to agree to a requested restriction. If we agree, we will comply with the restriction except when the information is needed for emergency treatment or another legally permitted exception applies.
If you pay for a service completely out of pocket, you may ask us not to disclose information about that service to your health plan for payment or healthcare operations. We will honor that request unless a law requires the disclosure.
Request an Accounting of Disclosures
You may ask for a list of certain disclosures of your health information made during the six years before your request.
The accounting generally will not include disclosures:
- For treatment, payment, or healthcare operations;
- Made directly to you;
- Made with your authorization;
- Made at your request; or
- Otherwise excluded from accounting requirements by law.
One accounting within a 12-month period will be provided without charge. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for additional accountings during the same period after notifying you of the cost.
Obtain a Copy of This Notice
You may request a paper copy of this notice at any time, including when you previously agreed to receive it electronically.
Choose a Personal Representative
A person with legal authority to act for you, such as a legal guardian, healthcare power of attorney, or other authorized personal representative, may exercise your rights.
We may request documentation establishing that person’s authority before acting on a request.
File a Complaint
You may file a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.
Rawls Physical Therapy will not retaliate against you, deny treatment, or otherwise penalize you for filing a good-faith privacy complaint.
Substance Use Disorder Patient Records
To the extent Rawls Physical Therapy receives or maintains substance use disorder patient records protected by 42 CFR Part 2, those records will not be used or disclosed in a civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative investigation or proceeding against you unless:
- You provide written consent; or
- The use or disclosure is authorized by a valid court order and subpoena as required by applicable law.
Additional restrictions may apply to the use, disclosure, redisclosure, and identification of substance use disorder patient records.
Changes to This Notice
Rawls Physical Therapy may revise this notice and its privacy practices. A revised notice may apply to information we already maintain as well as information received after the revision.
The current notice will be:
- Available upon request;
- Available at our office; and
- Posted on our website.
The effective date at the beginning of the notice will identify the current version.
Privacy Questions and Complaints
Questions, record requests, restriction requests, or complaints may be directed to:
Privacy Officer
Rawls Physical Therapy
2269 Arkansas Rd.
West Monroe, LA 71291
Phone: (318) 523-4517
Email: jrawls@rawlspt.com
You may also file a HIPAA 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
You may also use the complaint process provided on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights website.
Rawls Physical Therapy will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint with us or with the Office for Civil Rights.
3. SMS Terms & Conditions
A. SMS Consent and Privacy
SMS participation is voluntary. By providing a mobile phone number and agreeing to receive text messages, you authorize Rawls Physical Therapy to send SMS communications related to the purposes described below.
Consent to receive SMS messages is not a condition of receiving physical therapy treatment or purchasing services from Rawls Physical Therapy.
SMS opt-in and phone numbers collected for SMS communication purposes will not be shared with any third party and affiliates for marketing purposes.
We may provide limited information to an SMS technology provider solely as needed to transmit or manage messages on behalf of Rawls Physical Therapy. SMS consent information may not be used by that provider for its own marketing or promotional purposes.
B. Types of SMS Communications
When you consent to receive SMS messages from Rawls Physical Therapy, messages may include:
- Responses to questions or appointment requests;
- Two-way conversational messages with our staff;
- Appointment confirmations;
- Appointment reminders;
- Rescheduling or cancellation notices;
- Office-hour or location updates;
- Follow-up communications;
- Requests to contact the office;
- Billing or account-status notifications; and
- Other service-related communications you request.
Example Appointment Reminder
Hello [First Name], this is Rawls Physical Therapy with a reminder of your appointment with Dr. Justin Rawls at our West Monroe clinic on [Date] at [Time]. Reply C to confirm or call (318) 523-4517 to reschedule. Reply STOP to opt out of Rawls Physical Therapy text messages.
Example Two-Way Conversation
Hi [First Name], this is Rawls Physical Therapy. We received your appointment request and currently have an opening on [Date] at [Time]. Reply YES if that time works for you, or call (318) 523-4517 to discuss another time. Reply STOP to opt out.
Example Account Communication
Rawls Physical Therapy: There is an update concerning your account or insurance information. Please call our office at (318) 523-4517 for assistance. Reply STOP to opt out.
For privacy reasons, routine SMS messages will generally contain limited information. We may ask you to continue a conversation by telephone or another appropriate method when sensitive medical, billing, insurance, or identity information is involved.
C. Message Frequency
Message frequency may vary based on your appointment schedule, account activity, questions, and interactions with Rawls Physical Therapy.
For routine appointment and account communications, you may receive up to two SMS messages per week. Additional messages may be exchanged when:
- You are participating in an active two-way conversation;
- You request additional information;
- An appointment changes;
- A time-sensitive scheduling matter arises; or
- You initiate another conversation with us.
D. Potential SMS Fees
Standard message and data rates may apply depending on your wireless carrier and service plan.
Charges may differ based on your carrier, plan, location, and whether a message is sent or received domestically or internationally. Rawls Physical Therapy does not control and is not responsible for carrier charges.
E. How to Opt In
You may consent to receive SMS messages from Rawls Physical Therapy through one or more of the following methods:
- Verbally during an in-person or telephone conversation with a Rawls Physical Therapy staff member;
- By selecting an optional SMS consent box on an online or paper form when that option is presented;
- By requesting text-message communication from a staff member; or
- By initiating a text-message conversation with Rawls Physical Therapy.
We may document the date, method, and scope of your consent.
Providing a phone number for general contact purposes does not automatically authorize unrelated promotional or marketing text messages.
F. How to Opt Out
You may opt out of SMS messages at any time by replying:
STOP
You may also request removal from our SMS messaging list by:
- Calling Rawls Physical Therapy at (318) 523-4517;
- Emailing jrawls@rawlspt.com; or
- Contacting us through our website’s Contact page.
After an opt-out request, you may receive one final text confirming that your request was processed. You will not receive additional SMS messages unless you later request or consent to resume them, except for communications otherwise permitted or required by law.
Opting out of SMS does not affect your ability to receive treatment. We may communicate with you through another method, such as telephone, voicemail, email, or mail, when appropriate.
G. Help and Support
For SMS assistance, reply:
HELP
You may also obtain assistance by:
- Calling (318) 523-4517;
- Emailing jrawls@rawlspt.com; or
- Visiting the Contact page on the Rawls Physical Therapy website.
If you do not wish to receive SMS messages, do not select the SMS consent box on our forms and tell our staff that you prefer another communication method.
H. Standard SMS Disclosures
Message and data rates may apply.
Message frequency may vary.
Reply STOP at any time to opt out of SMS messages.
Reply HELP for assistance, call (318) 523-4517, or visit our Contact page.
Review the Privacy Policy and SMS Terms & Conditions provided on this page.
SMS Security and Emergency Communications
SMS messages may not be encrypted or completely secure. Do not send detailed medical information, Social Security numbers, payment card numbers, insurance identification images, or other highly sensitive information by SMS unless specifically instructed to do so through an approved process.
SMS is not monitored continuously and should not be used for emergencies. For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Delivery of a text message may be delayed or prevented by circumstances outside Rawls Physical Therapy’s control, including carrier outages, device settings, service availability, or an incorrect mobile phone number.
You are responsible for notifying us if your mobile phone number changes or is transferred to another person.
4. Contact Rawls Physical Therapy
Questions about this Privacy Policy, the Notice of Privacy Practices, SMS communications, or your communication preferences may be directed to:
Rawls Physical Therapy
2269 Arkansas Rd.
West Monroe, LA 71291
Phone: (318) 523-4517
Email: jrawls@rawlspt.com