Notice of Privacy Practices

Effective Date: January 1, 2025

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION AND OTHER PROTECTED INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Surrogacy4Al, IndianEggDonors, EggDonors4All and DGA, Inc. are committed to protecting the privacy and security of your protected health information and other confidential personal information. in full compliance with HIPAA.

This Notice applies to all information received, created, maintained, or transmitted by our practice in connection with our services, operations, and workforce activities, including information relating to:

  • Intended Parents
  • Egg Donors
  • Surrogates
  • Employees
  • 1099 contractors and other members of our workforce who may have access to this information in the course of performing services for our practice

For purposes of this Notice, “protected health information” or “PHI” means information that identifies an individual and relates to past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition, the provision of health care, care coordination, related reproductive or surrogacy services, or payment for such services, to the extent protected by applicable law.

Our Responsibilities

We are required by law to:

  • Maintain the privacy and security of protected health information.
  • Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices.
  • Follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect.
  • Notify affected individuals promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of protected information.

We will not use or disclose your protected information other than as described in this Notice unless you tell us we may do so in writing. If you tell us we may, you may change your mind at any time by notifying us in writing.

Who Must Follow This Notice

This Notice applies to Surrogacy4All, IndianEggDonors, EggDonors4All, DGA, Inc.,, our Intended Parents, Egg Donors, and Surrogates,  and our workforce, including employees, contractors, physicians, staff, consultants, and authorized service providers who may have access to protected information as part of their duties.

All employees, 1099 contractors, consultants, vendors, and other workforce members with access to protected information are expected to protect its confidentiality and use or disclose it only as permitted by law, contract, and this Notice.

How We May Use and Disclose Your Information

1. For Treatment, Care Coordination, and Related Services

We may use and disclose protected information to provide, coordinate, or manage health care, fertility-related support, surrogacy-related support, donor-related support, screening, matching, care coordination, legal coordination, and related administrative services. For example, we may share information with physicians, nurses, fertility clinics, hospitals, laboratories, counselors, psychologists, attorneys, agencies, case coordinators, or other providers and professionals involved in your care or case.

2. For Payment

We may use and disclose protected information to bill and collect payment for services provided. For example, we may share information with health plans, insurers, intended parents, responsible parties, or others involved in payment to determine coverage, authorize services, or process payment.

3. For Health Care Operations and Practice Operations

We may use and disclose protected information for health care operations and practice operations necessary to run our organization and ensure quality services. For example, we may use information to:

  • Evaluate the quality of care and services provided
  • Review staff and contractor performance
  • Conduct training, quality assurance, compliance, and risk management
  • Perform credentialing, licensing, legal review, and auditing
  • Engage in business planning, administration, and case management
  • Improve operations, services, and client experience
4. Appointment Reminders and Service Communications

We may use and disclose protected information to contact you with appointment reminders, scheduling information, follow-up instructions, test results, care coordination messages, service updates, and information about treatment alternatives or related services that may be relevant to you.

5. Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment

We may disclose relevant information to a family member, personal representative, intended parent, surrogate, donor, close friend, or another person you identify as involved in your care, case, or payment for services, unless you object or we determine disclosure would not be appropriate.

6. Workforce Access

Protected information may be accessed by authorized employees, physicians, and 1099 contractors of our practice who need the information to perform their job duties, provide services, support operations, maintain systems, ensure compliance, or assist in care coordination, billing, administration, or case management. Access is limited to what is reasonably necessary for the role involved, except where broader access is required by law or for treatment purposes.

7. Business Associates and Service Providers

We may disclose protected information to third-party service providers, vendors, consultants, attorneys, accountants, IT providers, cloud vendors, billing services, and other business associates that perform functions on our behalf and require access to the information to do so. These parties are required by contract and applicable law to safeguard the information.

8. As Required by Law

We may use or disclose protected information when required to do so by federal, state, or local law.

9. Public Health and Safety Activities

We may disclose protected information for public health and safety activities, including to:

  • Prevent or control disease, injury, or disability
  • Report births and deaths
  • Report adverse reactions or product problems
  • Notify individuals of recalls
  • Report suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence when permitted or required by law
  • Prevent or reduce a serious threat to health or safety
10. Health Oversight Activities

We may disclose protected information to health oversight agencies for audits, investigations, inspections, licensure, enforcement, and other activities authorized by law.

11. Judicial and Administrative Proceedings

We may disclose protected information in response to a court order, administrative order, subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process when permitted or required by law.

12. Law Enforcement

We may disclose protected information for certain law enforcement purposes as permitted or required by law.

13. Coroners, Medical Examiners, and Funeral Directors

We may disclose protected information to coroners, medical examiners, or funeral directors as authorized by law.

14. Research

We may use or disclose protected information for research purposes when permitted by law and when appropriate privacy protections are in place.

15. Workers’ Compensation

We may disclose protected information as authorized by workers’ compensation laws and similar programs.

16. Specialized Government Functions

We may disclose protected information for certain specialized government functions, such as military, national security, correctional institution, or lawful custody situations, when permitted by law.

Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Written Authorization

We will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your protected information for purposes not otherwise described in this Notice, except where permitted or required by law.

In most cases, we must obtain your written authorization for:

  • Uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes, if applicable
  • Most uses and disclosures for marketing purposes
  • Disclosures that constitute a sale of protected information

You may revoke an authorization at any time in writing, except to the extent we have already acted in reliance on it.

Your Rights Regarding Your Information

1. Right to Inspect and Obtain a Copy

You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of the protected information we maintain about you in a designated record set, with limited exceptions allowed by law.

To request access, submit your request in writing to the contact listed at the end of this Notice. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for copies, mailing, or supplies as permitted by law.

2. Right to Request an Amendment

If you believe the information we have about you is incorrect or incomplete, you may request that we amend it. Your request must be in writing and explain why the amendment is needed.

We may deny your request in certain circumstances permitted by law, but we will explain the reason for the denial in writing.

3. Right to an Accounting of Disclosures

You have the right to request a list of certain disclosures of your protected information made by us during the six years prior to the date of your request. This list will not include disclosures made for treatment, payment, health care operations, or certain other disclosures excluded by law.

One accounting in a 12-month period will be provided free of charge. We may charge a reasonable fee for additional requests within the same 12-month period.

4. Right to Request Restrictions

You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your information for treatment, payment, or operations, or to persons involved in your care or case.

We are not required to agree to most requested restrictions. However, where required by law, we will honor eligible requests, including certain requests involving services paid out of pocket in full.

5. Right to Request Confidential Communications

You have the right to request that we communicate with you in a certain way or at a certain location. For example, you may ask that we contact you only by mail, at a different address, by secure email, or through another reasonable confidential method.

We will accommodate reasonable requests.

6. Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice

You have the right to receive a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically.

Changes to This Notice

We reserve the right to change this Notice and to make the revised Notice effective for information we already have about you, as well as any information we receive in the future. The current version of this Notice will be posted on our web site and available upon request.

The revised Notice will include a new effective date.

Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us using the contact information below. You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. Filing a complaint will not affect your care, treatment, payment, employment, contractor status, or eligibility for services.

To file a complaint with us, contact:

Privacy Officer
DGA, Inc.
1148 Fifth Avenue, #1C
New York, NY 10128
Phone: 212-661-7177
Email: info@surrrogacy4all.com

Questions or More Information

If you have questions about this Notice or would like more information about our privacy practices, please contact:

Privacy Officer
DGA, Inc.
1148 Fifth Avenue, #1C
New York, NY 10128
Phone: 212-661-7177
Email: info@surrrogacy4all.com