About

PRIVACY POLICY

Levin Audiology (hereafter referred to in this Privacy Policy as “we”, “our” or “us”) respects your privacy and treats your personal and health information in trust and confidence.

When handling personal and health information, we comply with the NZ Privacy Act 2020 (the Act) and the Health Information Privacy Code 2020 (the code).

When you provide or continue to provide your personal information or use our services, you agree to this Privacy Policy or any changes to this Privacy Policy. We may amend this Policy at any time, however this Policy does not limit any of your rights under the Act or the Code. You can find further information at www.privacy.org.nz or at the Office of the Privacy Commissioner on 0800 803 909. 

This Privacy Policy outlines: 

- What personal information is

- How we collect, use, store, disclose and protect your personal information 

- How you may request access or correction of your personal information 

- How you may handle a concern of a privacy breach by us. 

Personal Information

Information that identifies you, or by which your identity can be reasonably ascertained, is considered Personal Information. The Code applies to the health information about an identifiable individual as outlined in Section 4 (1) and includes collection of historical information such as medical, treatment, disability, or accident history. We collect identifying information necessary to communicate with and identify you, such as your name, phone number, date of birth, email address. We collect information about your medical and audiological history, as well as your hearing test results and hearing aid settings. We may collect your unique identifier from governmental bodies such as the Accident Compensation Corporation, Veterans Affairs New Zealand, Work and Income (specifically your Community Services Card number if required, or your Super Gold card number if required), as well as insurance companies. We may also collect your National Health Index number.  

Collection, storage, use, and disclosure of personal information

Wherever possible we will collect information directly from the client/patient or where appropriate suppliers, other healthcare providers, or someone you have nominated as your representative, or in cases where we reasonably believe that the individual concerned has authorised collection of information from someone else. We collect information through various means and mediums such as on pre-appointment forms, during appointments including information about hearing aid usage, from online written communications, in person in the clinic, or via phone calls. 

Levin Audiology may use contact information you have supplied us, such as phone number and email address, to contact you with relevant information or offers you may be interested in. If you would like to opt out of marketing communications, please inform us of your wish to opt out either in person, via phone, or email. Opting out will not stop us from contacting you for non-marketing communication, such as a call to let you know your hearing aids have been repaired and are ready for pick up, or appointment confirmation communication. We may also use your personal information to improve our services.

Storage and disposal of your personal information is protected using security safeguards to inhibit loss or unauthorised actions, such as accessing, using, misusing, modifying, or disclosing information not authorised by Levin Audiology. This includes security of the building; electronic security for computers such as anti-virus software, passwords and identifiers, firewalls; and only allowing staff to access information required to complete their day to day tasks. Some of your information may be stored on secure servers in Australia. Your records will be stored as long as required by law, or for Levin Audiology’s business activities. Should you believe the privacy of your personal information has been breached, please inform us immediately.

Disclosure of your information to a third party will only happen if necessary and required by the providers or services, or products, you have purchased. For example, your hearing test results may be sent to ACC if you have decided to apply to ACC for funding claimed under noise induced hearing loss; your name may be provided to a hearing aid manufacturer for purposes of ordering or repairing hearing aids or consumables. Disclosure of your information may also be necessary to share with the clinicians for purposes of diagnosing and managing your hearing loss and rehabilitation, to Levin Audiology administration in order to ensure you are receiving the proper care (for example, type of appointment), to insurance companies as part of an insurance claim you initiate. At times, Levin Audiology may be required by law to disclose information, or to disclose information in the process of selling the clinic. We may also disclose personal information with written or verbal consent from the individual. 

Purpose of collecting your information

The Personal Information we collect from you is connected with the function and activity of Levin Audiology as an audiological service provider. The information we collect is necessary to provide you the best audiological services; for example, we may require your NHI number to confirm whether you are eligible for funding schemes, for example ACC, VANZ, or the Ministry of Health Hearing Aid Subsidy or Funding Scheme. We require personal information in order to provide appropriate support, to respond to enquiries or complaints, to process orders and repairs, for Levin Audiology marketing purposes, and meeting our regulatory and legal obligations. 

Contacting Levin Audiology

· Phone: 06-825-9218

· Email: admin@levinaudiology.co.nz

· Address: 198a Oxford Street, Levin