Privacy Policy and Website Disclaimer

Effective Date: March 2026

This page describes how Tantien Integrative Medicine collects, uses, and protects information obtained through this website, and sets forth important disclaimers regarding website content.

Part I: Privacy Policy

1. About This Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through the website operated by Tantien Integrative Medicine (“Practice,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). It describes the types of information we may collect from visitors to this website, how we use that information, and the steps we take to protect it.

This policy applies to website visitors only. The collection, use, and disclosure of protected health information (“PHI”) of patients is governed by our Notice of Privacy Practices (“NPP”), which is provided separately and is available upon request, at our office, and on this website.

2Who We Are

  • Tantien Integrative Medicine

  • 211 Montowese Street, Branford, CT 06475

  • Tantien Integrative Medicine is a physician-led integrative medicine practice licensed in the State of Connecticut.

  • Website Information Collection

  • When you visit this website, we may collect the following types of information:

Information You Provide Voluntarily

  • Your name, email address, phone number, or other contact information submitted through contact forms, appointment request forms, or email inquiries

  • Any information you voluntarily include in messages or inquiries sent through the website

Important: This website does not collect protected health information (PHI). Do not submit sensitive medical information, health conditions, diagnoses, or treatment details through website contact forms, email, or any other unsecured communication channel on this website.

We do not control the data practices of third-party services and are not responsible for their privacy policies or practices.

Patient Health Information (HIPAA)

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”), as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (“HITECH Act”), establishes national standards for the protection of individually identifiable health information.

As a covered entity under HIPAA, this Practice protects all patient health information in accordance with the HIPAA Privacy Rule (45 C.F.R. Part 164, Subpart E), the HIPAA Security Rule (45 C.F.R. Part 164, Subpart C), and the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule (45 C.F.R. Part 164, Subpart D).

The use and disclosure of your protected health information is governed by our Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP), which is provided separately. The NPP describes how we may use and disclose your PHI, your rights regarding your health information, and our legal obligations. The NPP is available at our office, upon request, and on this website, in compliance with 45 C.F.R. § 164.520.

HIPAA and this website: Protected health information collected and maintained as part of the patient–physician relationship is exempt from the Connecticut Data Privacy Act (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 42-515 et seq.) pursuant to § 42-516(b)(1). It is governed exclusively by HIPAA, the HITECH Act, and applicable Connecticut medical records statutes.

Connecticut Medical Records Confidentiality

In addition to federal HIPAA protections, your medical records and communications with this Practice are protected under Connecticut law, including:

  • Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-146o et seq. — Physician-patient privilege and medical records confidentiality

  • Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-7c(b) — Medical record retention (minimum seven years from last patient encounter; for minors, until age 18 plus seven years)

These protections apply to all patient health information regardless of the medium in which it is maintained.

Genetic Information Protections

This Practice utilizes genetic testing as part of its integrative medicine services. Your genetic information receives heightened protections under federal and Connecticut law:

  • Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) — Prohibits discrimination based on genetic information in health insurance and employment

  • Conn. Gen. Stat. § 38a-816 — Prohibits unfair practices by insurers related to genetic information

  • Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-60(b)(18) — Prohibits employment discrimination based on genetic information

Please note that GINA protections do not extend to life insurance, disability insurance, or long-term care insurance. Genetic testing at this Practice is voluntary, for clinical insight purposes only, and is not diagnostic unless separately consented.

No genetic information is collected, stored, or processed through this website.

Connecticut Data Privacy Act (CTDPA)

The Connecticut Data Privacy Act (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 42-515 et seq.) provides Connecticut residents with certain rights regarding the personal data collected about them by businesses.

Protected health information governed by HIPAA is exempt from the CTDPA. However, personal data collected through this website that is not protected health information (such as contact form submissions and website analytics data) may be subject to the CTDPA.

Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information collected through this website from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of information transmitted to or stored by this website.

Data Retention

Personal information collected through this website is retained only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy or as required by applicable law. Website analytics data is retained in aggregate, de-identified form. Contact form submissions and inquiries are retained for a reasonable period necessary to respond to your request and for our legitimate business purposes.

Your Rights

Depending on the type of information and the applicable legal framework:

  • Website data: You may exercise your rights under the CTDPA as described in Section 10

  • Patient health information: Your rights are described in our Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) and are governed by HIPAA, the HITECH Act, and Connecticut law

To make a request regarding any personal information, please contact us using the information in Section 23.

Part II: Website Disclaimer

Medical Disclaimer

The content on this website is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be, and does not constitute, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information provided on this website should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified, licensed healthcare provider.

No information on this website — including descriptions of services, conditions, treatments, supplements, or therapies — should be interpreted as a recommendation for any specific treatment, product, or course of action. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Individual results may vary. The information provided is general in nature and may not apply to your particular health situation. Health decisions should be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare provider who has evaluated your individual circumstances.

No Doctor-Patient Relationship

Visiting this website, reading its content, submitting a contact form, sending an email, or requesting an appointment does not establish a doctor-patient relationship between you and Tantien Integrative Medicine or any of its providers.

A doctor-patient relationship is established only when you have been formally accepted as a patient, have signed the required intake and consent documents, and have been seen by a provider for an in-person or telehealth clinical encounter.

Emergency Disclaimer

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

Do not use this website, email, contact forms, or any other communication channel to seek emergency medical care. This website is not monitored in real time and is not an appropriate means of communicating urgent or emergent health concerns.

Testimonials & Results

Any testimonials, case studies, or descriptions of patient outcomes that may appear on this website represent individual experiences and are not intended to represent or guarantee that any other patient will achieve the same or similar results. Outcomes depend on many factors, including the nature and severity of each patient’s condition, adherence to treatment recommendations, and individual biological response.

External Links

This website may contain links to third-party websites for your convenience and reference. These links do not constitute an endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of the third party, its website, or its content. We do not control the content, privacy practices, or availability of third-party websites and are not responsible for any information, products, or services offered by or through them.

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Tantien Integrative Medicine, its physician(s), employees, and agents shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from or related to your use of, or inability to use, this website or reliance on any information provided on this website.

This website and its content are provided “as is” and “as available” without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

Governing Law

This Privacy Policy and Website Disclaimer shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut, without regard to its conflict-of-law provisions, and applicable federal law, including HIPAA, the HITECH Act, GINA, COPPA, and the Connecticut Data Privacy Act (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 42-515 et seq.).

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy and Website Disclaimer from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or website functionality. When we make changes, we will update the “Effective Date” at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this page periodically. Your continued use of this website following any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.

Contact Information

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or Website Disclaimer, wish to exercise any of your rights, or have concerns about our data practices, please contact us:

Tantien Integrative Medicine

211 Montowese Street, Branford, CT 06475

For requests related to your patient health information, please refer to our Notice of Privacy Practices or contact our office directly. HIPAA-related inquiries and access requests will be handled in accordance with 45 C.F.R. § 164.524 and § 164.526.