Privacy Policy

Plastic Surgery Local ("we," "us," "our") operates plasticsurgerylocal.com (the "Service"). This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. By using the Service you agree to this policy.

Information we collect

• Search information: the ZIP code and any procedure or filters you search with, used to show nearby providers.
• Appointment & consultation requests: when you send a request to a practice, we collect the details you enter — your name, email, phone number, the service you're interested in, and your preferred days and times.
• Waiting-list signups: your email and, if you provide them, your ZIP code and comments.
• Reviews and content you submit: the review text and any details you choose to include.
• Charitable-care applications: the information you provide in the application, which may include health-related details about the situation. We treat these applications as confidential and share them only as described below.
• Provider registrations: practice name, contact details, credentials, and profile content submitted by providers.
• Automatic information: standard server logs (IP address, browser type, pages requested) for security and reliability, and small browser-storage flags that remember choices like dismissing a notice. We do not use third-party advertising cookies or trackers.

How we use your information

• To show you providers near your ZIP and operate the site's features.
• To forward your appointment or consultation request to the practice you selected and relay their reply back to you by email or text.
• To moderate and publish reviews you submit.
• To evaluate and match charitable-care applications with providers who have pledged capacity.
• To email you launch or service updates you asked for (every email includes a way to opt out).
• To keep the Service secure, prevent abuse, and improve features.

How we share information

• With the practice you choose: your appointment or consultation request — including your contact details — goes to that practice so they can respond. Their handling of your information is governed by their own privacy practices.
• Service providers that help us run the platform (hosting, email delivery, text messaging), under agreements limiting their use of your information.
• Charitable-care matching: application details are shared with providers considering a pledge match, and summarized (without identifying details) in program reporting.
• Legal reasons: if required by law or to protect our rights and users' safety.
• We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share it with third parties for their own marketing.

What we are not

We are a directory and connection platform, not a healthcare provider or health plan. Information you share with us is protected by this policy and applicable consumer-privacy laws; once you become a patient of a practice, the medical records the practice keeps are governed by the practice's own obligations (including HIPAA, where it applies to them).

Text messages (SMS)

If you provide a mobile number with a request, we may send appointment-related texts (and practices may reply through our number). Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out or HELP for help. We do not share your mobile number with third parties for their own marketing, and receiving texts is not a condition of using the Service.

Your choices & rights

• You can ask us to correct or delete information you've submitted — including waitlist signups, requests, and reviews — by contacting us.
• You can opt out of update emails via the link in any email, and out of texts by replying STOP.
• Depending on where you live, you may have legal rights to access, correct, or delete your personal information; contact us to exercise them.

Data retention & security

We keep information as long as needed to provide the Service — for example, request history so a practice can follow up, or the waiting list until launch communications end — then delete or anonymize it. Passwords (for provider accounts) are stored only as salted hashes. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, but we take reasonable measures to protect your information.

Children

The Service is not directed to children, and we do not knowingly collect information from children under 13. Charitable-care applications concerning a minor must be submitted by a parent or legal guardian.

Changes

We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be posted here with a new "Last updated" date.

Contact

Questions or requests: support@plasticsurgerylocal.com.