Our Commitment to Your Privacy

Bark Technologies, Inc. (“Bark”) provides technology products and related support services that may be made available to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (“IDD”), including through Medicaid programs, waiver programs, managed care organizations, state or local agencies, and other organizations.

Bark does not provide medical care, clinical treatment, or health care assessments. However, in providing and supporting its products, Bark may receive, create, maintain, or transmit information that is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) or other applicable privacy laws.

When information is protected by HIPAA, Bark will use, disclose, and safeguard that information as required by applicable law.

This Notice explains how protected health information (“PHI”) may be used and disclosed in connection with Bark’s products and services, the rights individuals may have regarding that information, and Bark’s responsibilities for protecting it.

 

 

How We May Use Your Information

We use the information we receive only to:

• Support your use of our products and services;
• Set up or modify user accounts;
• Provide technical support and troubleshoot issues;
• Maintain product security, reliability, and performance;
• Comply with legal, contractual, or regulatory obligations;
• Provide information requested by regulatory and contracing bodies for audits or oversight

We may also use de-identified information—which cannot identify an individual—to:

• Improve platform functionality
• Support analytics or reporting
• Enhance system performance

We do not use PHI for marketing, advertising, or research without written permission.

 

 

Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization

For uses and disclosures that are not otherwise permitted or required by law, Bark will obtain your written authorization.

You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent Bark has already relied on the authorization.

Bark will not sell your PHI or use or disclose your PHI for purposes that require an authorization under HIPAA without obtaining the required authorization.

 

 

Your Rights

Because Bark Technologies acts as a Business Associate, most HIPAA rights are exercised directly through your health insurer, state Medicaid agency, or case manager. However, individuals (or their authorized representatives) may:

• Ask for a copy of the information Bark Technology maintains about them;
• Request corrections if information we maintain is incorrect;
• Ask how Bark Technologies has shared their information;
• File a complaint if they believe their privacy rights have been violated

To make a request, please contact your healthcare provider or contact Bark Technologies’ Compliance Officer using the information below.

Bark Technologies may need to coordinate requests with the provider to confirm identity and authorization.

 

 

How We Protect Information

Bark Technologies uses administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect PHI, including:

• Encryption
• Multi-factor authentication
• Access controls based on job role
• Secure transmission methods
• Monitoring and logging of system activity
• Workforce HIPAA training upon hire and annually

We limit access to PHI to workforce members and contractors who need it to perform their job duties.

 

 

Questions, Requests, or Complaints

If you have questions about this notice or concerns about how Bark Technologies handles information, please contact:

Compliance Officer
Jessica Zeff
Email: jessica.zeff@bark.us

You may also file a complaint directly with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights:

Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201

Online Complaint Portal: https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/smartscreen/main.jsf

Bark Technologies will not retaliate against anyone for filing a complaint.

 

 

Changes to This Notice

Bark Technologies may update this Notice of Privacy Practices from time to time. When changes are made, we will:

• Post the revised notice on our website
• Update the effective date
• Provide a copy upon request