Who we are
Privacy Policy, Patient Rights & Office Policies
Effective Date: [4/01/2022]
At GO Dentistry, we are committed to protecting your privacy, safeguarding your health information, and maintaining a fully compliant clinical environment. This page outlines our HIPAA privacy practices, financial policies, appointment policies, and media terms.
Office Policy Summary
GO Dentistry – Renton, Washington
GO Dentistry operates in accordance with applicable federal regulations, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), as well as the laws and professional standards governing dental practices in the State of Washington. Our policies are designed to ensure patient safety, regulatory compliance, financial transparency, and the efficient operation of our practice.
Compliance With Washington State Law
GO Dentistry complies with the Washington State Department of Health regulations, the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), applicable sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), and all professional standards governing licensed dental providers. All clinical care is rendered by properly credentialed and licensed professionals practicing within the scope of their licensure.
We adhere to CDC, OSHA, and state-mandated infection prevention and sterilization protocols. Our office maintains written safety procedures, hazard communication standards, and ongoing compliance training for all team members.
Patient Rights & Responsibilities
Patients have the right to:
- Receive care in a safe and respectful environment
- Participate in informed treatment decisions
- Request access to their health records in accordance with state and federal law
- Receive clear financial information prior to treatment when possible
Patients are responsible for:
- Providing accurate and complete medical and insurance information
- Following recommended post-treatment instructions
- Complying with scheduling and attendance policies
- Fulfilling financial obligations for services rendered
Appointment & Attendance Policy
Appointments are reserved specifically for each patient. To maintain fairness and availability for all patients, we require timely arrival and adequate notice for changes.
Patients arriving more than ten (10) minutes late may be rescheduled depending on provider availability and clinical scheduling constraints.
Appointments cancelled within forty-eight (48) hours of the scheduled time, or missed without notice, are subject to a $200 late cancellation or no-show fee. This policy is disclosed in new patient documentation and applies to all patients equally.
GO Dentistry reserves the right to dismiss patients from the practice for repeated missed appointments, non-compliance, or disruptive behavior, consistent with Washington State patient abandonment regulations.
Financial Responsibility & Insurance
Payment is due at the time of service unless prior financial arrangements have been made.
Treatment plans are estimates based on information available at the time of presentation and are not guarantees of insurance payment. Insurance coverage is determined solely by the patient’s carrier upon claim adjudication.
Patients are financially responsible for all services rendered regardless of insurance coverage outcomes. If insurance pays less than anticipated or denies coverage, the remaining balance is the responsibility of the patient.
For patients not paying in full at the time of service, a valid credit or debit card may be required to remain on file. Authorized balances remaining after insurance processing may be charged in accordance with signed financial agreements.
Privacy & Confidentiality
GO Dentistry maintains strict confidentiality of all Protected Health Information (PHI) in compliance with HIPAA and Washington State privacy laws. Patient information is used only for treatment, payment, healthcare operations, and legal compliance.
We do not sell or distribute patient data. Patients may request access to or amendments of their records in accordance with applicable law.
Safety & Conduct
To ensure a safe clinical environment, GO Dentistry reserves the right to refuse or discontinue treatment if a patient:
- Presents a safety risk to staff or other patients
- Engages in threatening, abusive, or disruptive conduct
- Fails to comply with office policies
Such decisions will be made in accordance with ethical guidelines and state regulations governing patient dismissal.
Limitation of Liability
While GO Dentistry maintains high standards of clinical care and administrative security, we are not responsible for:
- Insurance carrier determinations or delays
- Technical failures of third-party systems outside our control
- Information breaches occurring on external platforms once lawfully transmitted
- Outcomes resulting from failure to follow post-treatment instructions
Patients are encouraged to safeguard their own portal login credentials and maintain updated contact information.
Policy Updates
Office policies may be updated periodically to reflect changes in law, regulatory standards, or operational requirements. The most current version is available upon request and may be published on our website.
By receiving treatment at GO Dentistry, patients acknowledge review and acceptance of our office policies as outlined in signed patient documentation.
HIPAA Privacy & Protected Health Information (PHI)
GO Dentistry is a fully HIPAA-compliant healthcare provider. We adhere to all federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations governing the collection, storage, use, and disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI). Protecting your personal health information is a core responsibility of our practice and is treated with the highest level of seriousness and care.
We safeguard your information through secure electronic health record (EHR) systems, encrypted data transmission, secure patient communications through MyChart, strict access controls with role-based permissions, ongoing HIPAA compliance training for all staff members, and continuously monitored office systems. Our platforms integrated with MyChart allow secure messaging, appointment management, billing transparency, and protected access to your health records. GO Dentistry does not sell patient data under any circumstances.
Your health information is used strictly for purposes related to treatment, payment processing, healthcare operations, and legal compliance. Patients maintain the right to access their medical records, request corrections to their information, receive an accounting of disclosures when required by law, and file a privacy complaint if they believe their rights have been violated.
Electronic Systems & Security
Our practice utilizes secure, encrypted clinical and billing systems that are integrated with MyChart. All platforms used for patient communication, charting, imaging, and billing meet or exceed HIPAA security standards. In addition to digital safeguards, our office maintains physical security protocols and administrative policies designed to prevent unauthorized access and protect patient confidentiality at all times.
Appointment & Attendance Policy
We respect your time and ask that the same consideration be extended to our clinical team and other patients. Patients who arrive more than ten (10) minutes late to a scheduled appointment may be asked to reschedule based on provider availability and scheduling constraints.
Appointments that are cancelled within forty-eight (48) hours of the scheduled time or missed without notice are subject to a $200 late cancellation or no-show fee. This policy is clearly disclosed and acknowledged within our new patient paperwork and applies to all reserved appointment times.
Financial Policy & Treatment Plan Estimates
Treatment plans provided by GO Dentistry are estimates only and are not a guarantee of insurance payment. Insurance benefits are determined solely by your carrier at the time claims are processed. Final patient responsibility is based on the insurance carrier’s explanation of benefits and contractual coverage determinations.
If insurance pays less than estimated or denies coverage, any remaining approved balance becomes the responsibility of the patient. For patients not paying in full at the time of service, a valid credit or debit card is required to remain securely on file. Should insurance process at a lower amount than anticipated and a balance remain, the approved patient portion may be charged to the card on file in accordance with signed financial agreements.
Media & Photography Policy
GO Dentistry may obtain photographs, radiographs, digital scans, and clinical images for diagnostic purposes, treatment planning, insurance submission, and internal education. Identifiable patient images will never be used for marketing, promotional, or public-facing purposes without prior written authorization in compliance with HIPAA regulations. Testimonials, media releases, and any public use of patient information require explicit signed consent.
Biohazard & Infection Control Disclosure
Our office adheres to all applicable CDC, OSHA, and state-regulated infection control standards. We utilize hospital-grade sterilization systems, structured disinfection protocols, and ongoing compliance training to maintain a safe clinical environment. GO Dentistry reserves the right to refuse treatment to individuals who present a safety risk to staff or other patients.
Third-Party Information & External Platforms
While GO Dentistry maintains strict internal security protocols, we are not responsible for data breaches, system failures, or security incidents occurring on third-party platforms outside of our control, including insurance carrier systems or external communication services. We are also not responsible for insurance processing delays, benefit determinations, or actions taken by outside entities once information has been lawfully transmitted. Patients are encouraged to safeguard their own login credentials for MyChart and other health-related portals.
For users that register on our website (if any), we also store the personal information they provide in their user profile. All users can see, edit, or delete their personal information at any time (except they cannot change their username). Website administrators can also see and edit that information.
Patient Responsibility
Our office adheres to all applicable CDC, OSHA, and state-regulated infection control standards. We utilize hospital-grade sterilization systems, structured disinfection protocols, and ongoing compliance training to maintain a safe clinical environment. GO Dentistry reserves the right to refuse treatment to individuals who present a safety risk to staff or other patients.