Privacy Policy

Effective Date: October 29, 2026 | Last Updated: October 29, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains, in plain language, what information we collect when you visit drkopelman.com (the “Website”), how we use it, and the choices you have. It is provided by Dr. Kopelman, Joel Kopelman, MD, FACS (“the Practice,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). We are one medical practice that sees patients at our offices in New York, New Jersey, and Florida. Dr. Kopelman is licensed to practice in New York, and the Practice operates under Joel Kopelman, MD, PA at all of our locations.

Please note: This Privacy Policy is different from our Notice of Privacy Practices. Once you become a patient, the health information we create or receive while caring for you (called “protected health information”) is protected by a federal law called HIPAA and is explained in our Notice of Privacy Practices, which is on this Website and at each office. If the two documents ever disagree about your health information, the Notice of Privacy Practices controls.

1. Information We Collect

Information you give us. This may include your name, phone number, email address, preferred office, the procedure or concern you are interested in, your appointment preferences, and anything you type into a form, chat, or email. Please do not put detailed medical information, photos of your body, insurance numbers, or payment card numbers into website forms or regular email.

Information collected automatically. When you visit the Website, we and the companies that help us may collect your IP address, browser and device type, pages viewed, links clicked, time spent, the site you came from, and your approximate location. This is done with cookies and similar tools described in Section 4.

Information from other sources. We may receive information from review sites, social media platforms, advertising and analytics companies, and referral sources when you interact with us there.

2. How We Use Information

To answer your questions, schedule consultations, and tell you about our services.
To run, secure, and improve the Website and understand how visitors use it.
To send appointment reminders and follow-ups and, where the law allows and you have not opted out, educational or promotional messages.
To measure and improve our marketing and, where the law allows, show relevant ads on other platforms.
To follow the law, enforce our Terms of Use, and protect the rights and safety of patients, staff, and others.

3. How We Share Information

We do not sell your personal information for money. We share it only in these situations:

With companies that help us run the Website, scheduling, communications, analytics, email and text messaging, payment processing, and IT. They may use your information only to provide services to us.
With professional advisers such as attorneys, accountants, and insurers.
When the law requires it, such as a court order, or to protect against fraud or harm.
If the Practice is sold, merged, or reorganized, as allowed by law.
With your permission or at your direction.

Any sharing of your protected health information is governed by HIPAA and our Notice of Privacy Practices, not by this section.

4. Cookies, Analytics, and Tracking Technologies

Like most websites, ours uses cookies, pixels, tags, and similar tools. These help the Website work, remember your preferences, measure traffic, and show us which content is helpful. This can include analytics tools such as Google Analytics, advertising tools such as Google Ads and Meta (Facebook and Instagram), and embedded videos such as YouTube. The companies behind these tools may collect information about your activity across different websites and have their own privacy policies.

We do not intentionally use analytics or advertising tools to collect health information you enter on our appointment, contact, or patient-specific pages. Even so, we recommend that you do not enter sensitive health details on any public web page.

Your choices: You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings, use your browser’s privacy controls, opt out of Google Analytics with Google’s browser add-on, and manage ad personalization in your Google and social media accounts. If your browser sends a Global Privacy Control signal, we will treat it as a request to opt out of sharing for targeted advertising where the law requires. Blocking some cookies may change how the Website works.

5. Text Messages and Email

If you give us your mobile number and agree, we may text you about appointments and care. Message frequency varies, and message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out or HELP for help. Agreeing to texts is never required to receive care. We do not share your mobile number or texting consent with anyone else for their own marketing. You can unsubscribe from marketing emails using the link in any message. Regular email and text are not fully secure, so please do not use them to send detailed health information.

6. Patient Photos, Videos, and Testimonials

We will not publish a patient’s photos, videos, name, or testimonial for marketing without that patient’s written permission, which can be withdrawn in writing at any time. Withdrawing permission does not affect material already shared before then. Reviews you post on other websites are public and follow those websites’ rules.

7. How Long We Keep Information and How We Protect It

We keep website and inquiry information as long as needed for the purposes in this Policy and to meet legal, tax, and recordkeeping rules. Medical records are kept for the time periods required by New York, New Jersey, and Florida law. We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect information. No method of sending or storing data is completely secure, so we cannot promise absolute security.

8. Children’s Privacy

The Website is not meant for children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their personal information. Minors are treated as patients only with a parent or legal guardian. If you believe a child has given us information, contact us and we will delete it.

9. Your Privacy Choices and Rights

Depending on where you live, you may be able to ask whether we hold personal information about you; see, correct, or delete it; get a copy; and opt out of targeted advertising, certain profiling, or the sale or sharing of personal information. These rights vary by state and have exceptions. Health information covered by HIPAA is generally handled under HIPAA instead, and your rights are explained in our Notice of Privacy Practices. Residents of New York and Florida may also have rights under their state laws.

To make a request, contact us using the details in Section 12. We may need to confirm your identity, and we will respond within the time the law requires. You will not be treated unfairly for using your rights. If we deny a request, you may ask us how to appeal.

10. Links to Other Sites and Social Media

The Website links to and shows content from other sites, including YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Anything you post on social media about the Practice is public.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time. The new version will be posted here with a new “Last Updated” date. If you keep using the Website after a change, that means you accept the updated Policy.