Our Policies

2026 Best of the Springs Bronze Winner in Mental Health Provider Category!

1935 Dominion Way, Ste 101 Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918, United States

Mindful Connections Mental Health

Policies

Please note: Policies may be subject to change

Text MEssaging Terms of Use

Mindful Connections Mental Health TEXT MESSAGING TERMS OF USE

By "Opting In" to or using a “Text Message Service” (as defined below) from Mindful Connections Mental Health, you accept these Terms & Conditions.

This agreement is between you and Mindful Connections Mental Health or one of its affiliates. All references to "Mindful Connections Mental Health," "we," "our," or "us" refer to Mindful Connections Mental Health, 1935 Dominion Way, Ste 101 Colorado Springs, CO 80918.

DEFINITIONS

"Opting In," "Opt In," and "Opt-In" refer to requesting, joining, agreeing to, enrolling in, signing up for, acknowledging, responding to, or otherwise consenting to receive one or more text messages.

"Text Message Service" includes any arrangement or situation in which we send one or more messages addressed to your mobile phone number, including text messages (such as SMS, MMS, or successor protocols or technologies).

CONSENTING TO TEXT MESSAGING

By consenting to receive text messages from us, you agree to these Text Messaging Terms and Conditions, as well as our General Privacy Policy and HIPAA compliance policy found in our resources-policy section of our website www.mindfulconnect.com, incorporated herein by reference.

E-SIGN DISCLOSURE

By agreeing to receive text messages, you also consent to the use of an electronic record to document your agreement. You may withdraw your consent to the use of the electronic record by replying STOP.

Mindful Connections Mental Health

TEXT MESSAGE SERVICE PRIVACY POLICY

We respect your privacy and adhere to HIPAA compliant requirements. We only use information you provide through this service to transmit your mobile messages and respond to you. This includes, but isn't limited to, sharing information with platform providers, phone companies, and other vendors who assist us in the delivery of mobile messages. Mobile information will not be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties. Nonetheless, we reserve the right always to disclose any information as necessary to satisfy any law, regulation or governmental request, to avoid liability, or to protect our rights or property. This Text Message Service Privacy Policy applies to your use of the Text Message Service and isn't intended to modify our general “Privacy Policy” OR HIPAA Compliance Policy, incorporated by reference above, which may govern the relationship between you and us in other contexts.

COSTS OF TEXT MESSAGES

We do not charge you for the messages you send and receive via this text message service. But message and data rates may apply, so depending on your plan with your wireless or other applicable provider, you may be charged by your carrier or other applicable provider.

FREQUENCY OF TEXT MESSAGES

This Text Messaging Service is for conversational person-to-person communication between you and our employees. We may send you an initial message providing details about the service. After that, the number of text messages you receive will vary depending on how you use our services and whether you take steps to generate more text messages from us (such as by sending a HELP request).

OPTING OUT OF TEXT MESSAGES

If you no longer want to receive text messages, you may reply to any text message with STOP, QUIT, END, REVOKE, OPT OUT, CANCEL, or UNSUBSCRIBE. As a person-to-person communication service, opt-out requests are specific to each conversation between you and one of our employees and their associated phone number. After unsubscribing, we may send you confirmation of your opt-out via text message.

For support: Info@mindfulconnect.comor call 719-423-7428

Notice of Privacy Practices (HIPAA)

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

During the process of providing services to you, Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC and its affiliates will obtain and use mental health and medical information concerning you that is both confidential and privileged. Ordinarily this confidential information will be used in the manner that is described in this statement, and will not be disclosed without your consent, except for the circumstances described in this notice.

I. USES AND DISCLOSURES OF PROTECTED INFORMATION

• General Uses and Disclosures Not Requiring the Client’s Consent. Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC- 1935 Dominion Way Ste. 101 Colorado Springs, CO 80918 will use and disclose protected health information in the following ways:

o Treatment. Treatment refers to the provision, coordination, or management of mental health care and related services by one or more health care providers. For example, Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC therapists and staff involved with your care may use your information to plan your course of treatment and consult with other health care professionals or their staff concerning services needed or provided to you.

o Payment. Payment refers to the activities undertaken by a health care provider to obtain or provide reimbursement for the provision of health care. For example, Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC and other health care professionals will use information that identifies you, including information concerning your diagnosis, services provided to you, dates of services, and services needed by you, and may disclose such information to insurance companies and to businesses that review bills for eligibility and coverage of health care services and handle claims for payment of health care benefits in order to obtain payment for services. If you are covered by Medicaid, information may be provided to the State of Colorado’s Medicaid program, including but not limited to your treatment, condition, diagnosis, and services received.

o Health Care Operations. Health Care Operations means activities undertaken by health insurance companies, businesses that administer health plans, and companies that review bills for health care services in order to process claims for health care benefits. These functions include management and administrative activities. For example, such companies may use your health information in monitoring of service quality, staff training and evaluation, medical reviews, legal services, auditing functions, compliance and administrative programs, business planning and accreditation, certification, and licensing and credentialing activities.

o Contacting the Client. Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC may use contact information provided by you to remind you of appointments and to tell you about treatments or other services that might be of benefit to you.

o Required by Law. Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC will disclose protected health information when required by law. This includes, but is not limited to: (a) reporting child abuse or neglect to the Department of Human Services or to law enforcement; (b) when court ordered to release information; (c) when there is a legal duty to warn of a threat that a client has made of imminent physical violence, health care professionals are required to notify the potential victim of such a threat, and report it to law enforcement; (d) when a client is imminently dangerous to themselves or to others, or is gravely disabled, health care professionals may have a duty to hospitalize the client in order to obtain a 72-hour evaluation of the client; and (e) when required to report a threat to the national security of the United States.

o Health Oversight Activities. Your confidential, protected health information may be disclosed to health oversight agencies for oversight activities authorized by law and necessary for the oversight of the health care system, government health care benefit programs, regulatory programs or determining compliance with program standards.

o Crimes on the premises or observed by Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC personnel. Crimes that are observed by Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC staff, that are directed toward staff, or occur on Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC premises will be reported to law enforcement.

o Business Associates. Confidential health care information concerning you provided to insurers or to plans for purposes of payment for services that you receive may be disclosed to business associates. For example, some administrative, clinical, quality assurance, billing, legal, auditing and practice management services may be provided by contracting with outside entities to perform those services. In those situations, protected health information will be provided to those contractors as is needed to perform their contracted tasks. Business associates are required to enter into an agreement maintaining the privacy of the protected health information released to them.

o Research. Protected health information concerning you may be used with your permission for research purposes if the relevant provisions of the Federal HIPAA Privacy Regulations are followed.

o Involuntary Clients. Information regarding clients who are being treated involuntarily, pursuant to law, will be shared with other treatment providers, legal entities, third-party payers and others, as necessary to provide the care and management coordination needed in compliance with Colorado law.

o Family Members. Except for certain minors, incompetent clients, or involuntary clients, protected health information cannot be provided to family members without the client’s written consent. Clients may contact Mindful Connections Mental Health to obtain a release of information/Authorization form in order to provide consent. In situations where family members are present during a discussion with the client, and it can be reasonably inferred from the circumstances that the client does not object, information may be disclosed in the course of that discussion. However, if the client objects, protected health information will not be disclosed.

o Emergencies. In life threatening emergencies Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC staff will disclose information necessary to avoid serious harm or death.

• Client Release of Information or Authorization. Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC and other health care professionals may not use or disclose protected health information in any way without a signed release of information or authorization from the client. When you sign a release of information or an authorization, it may later be revoked, provided that the revocation is in writing. The revocation will apply, except to the extent Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC has already taken action in reliance thereon.

II. YOUR RIGHTS AS A CLIENT (Please see establishment of a client policy)

• Access to Protected Health Information. You have the right to receive a summary of confidential health information concerning you concerning mental health services needed or provided to you. There are some limitations to this right, which will be provided to you at the time of your request, if any such limitation applies. To make a request, ask Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC staff for the appropriate request form.

• Amendment of Your Record. You have the right to request that Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC or your health care professionals amend your protected health information. Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC is not required to amend the record if it is determined that the record is accurate and complete. There are other exceptions, which will be provided to you at the time of your request, if relevant, along with the appeal process available to you. To make a request, ask Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC staff for the appropriate request form.

• Accounting of Disclosures. You have the right to receive an accounting of certain disclosures Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC has made regarding your protected health information. However, that accounting does not include disclosures that were made for the purpose of treatment, payment, or health care operations. In addition, the accounting does not include disclosures made to you, disclosures made pursuant to a signed Authorization, or disclosures made prior to April 14, 2003.There are other exceptions that will be provided to you, should you request an accounting. To make a request, ask Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC staff for the appropriate request form.

• Additional Restrictions. You have the right to request additional restrictions on the use or disclosure of your health information. Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC does not have to agree to that request, and there are certain limits to any restriction, which will be provided to you at the time of your request. To make a request, ask Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC staff for the appropriate request form.

• Alternative Means of Receiving Confidential Communications. You have the right to request that you receive communications of protected health information from Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC by alternative means or at alternative locations. For example, if you do not want Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC to mail bills or other materials to your home, you can request that this information be sent to another address or electronically. There are limitations to the granting of such requests, which will be provided to you at the time of the request process. To make a request, ask Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC staff for the appropriate request form.

• Copy of this Notice. You have a right to obtain another copy of this Notice upon request.

III. NOTICE REGARDING USE OF TECHNOLOGY

• E-mail Communications. Unencrypted e-mail may not be confidential, and any information regarding protected health information sent by e-mail may not be confidential.
• Skype, Facetime, or Other Similar Videoconferencing Technology. Communication through Skype or Facetime may not be confidential.
• Internet Communications. Counseling or communication through the Internet may not be confidential.
• Storage of Health Care Information. Health care records and information maintained on the cloud may not be confidential, depending on the number of servers involved.
• Voicemail. Telephone messages left through voicemail may not be confidential, if they may be accessed by individuals other than the client. Please let me know if you do not want me to use voicemail in contacting you.
• Facsimile Communication. The submission of health care information or records by fax may not be confidential and may lead to a disclosure of confidential information to third parties if the wrong fax number is provided or used to send the information.
• Communication by U.S. Mail. Communication of information by U.S. mail may lead to disclosure of private information to third parties, depending on who may open the mail. Please let me know if you do not want me to send you correspondence, billing invoices, or other information through the U.S. mail.

IV. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Privacy Laws. Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC is required by State and Federal law to maintain the privacy of protected health information. In addition, Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC is required by law to provide clients with notice of its legal duties and privacy practices with respect to protected health information. That is the purpose of this Notice
o Terms of the Notice and Changes to the Notice. Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC is required to abide by the terms of this Notice, or any amended Notice that may follow. Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC reserves the right to change the terms of its Notice and to make the new Notice provisions effective for all protected health information that it maintains. When the Notice is revised, the revised Notice will be posted in Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC’s service delivery sites and will be available upon request.
o Complaints Regarding Privacy Rights. If you believe Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC has violated your privacy rights, you have the right to complain to Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC management. Please submit a statement, in writing, addressed to Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC 1935 Dominion Way, Ste 101 Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Date concerning your complaint and the basis for it. You also have the right to complain to the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services by sending your complaint to the Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 515F, HHH Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20201.
It is the policy of Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC that there will be no retaliation for your filing of such complaints.
o Additional Information. If you desire additional information about your privacy rights at Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC, please ask us any questions that you may have.

V. CONFIDENTIALITY OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PATIENT RECORDS

• The confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse patient records maintained by Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC is protected by federal law and regulations. Generally, the program may not say to a person outside the program that a patient attends the program, or disclose any information identifying a patient as an alcohol or drug abuser unless:
o The patient consents in writing;
o The disclosure is allowed by a court order; or
o The disclosure is made to medical personnel in a medical emergency or to qualified personnel for research, audit, or program evaluation.
• Violation of the federal law and regulations by a program is a crime. Suspected violations may be reported to appropriate authorities in accordance with federal regulations.
• Federal law and regulations do not protect any information about a crime committed by a patient either at the program or against any person who works for the program or about any threat to commit such a crime. Disclosure may be made concerning any threat made by a client to commit imminent physical violence against another person to the potential victim who has been threatened and to law enforcement.
• Federal law and regulations do not protect any information about suspected child abuse or neglect from being reported under state law to appropriate state or local authorities.

Establishment of Care

All providers listed under the Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC employee protocol (i.e., Employee versus Independent Contractors) collect a $75 deposit at the time of scheduling a new client’s first appointment.
The deposit will be applied toward any first payment due for the session or refunded in the case the session is 100% covered by insurance. Remaining amounts will be the credited forward until the deposit has been used completely.
In the event the session is missed without prior 24-hour notice, the deposit is non-refundable.
Should the appointment be canceled at least 24 hours prior to the session, the fee will be refunded.
Should the deposit not be obtained at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment, the appointment time will be vacated, and a new appointment will need to be scheduled.

Cancelation and No Call/No Show Appointments

Sessions must be cancelled at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment time.
Cancelation notification must be provided to your therapist via telephone; text messages and emails will not be accepted as a form of cancelation unless previously agreed upon between the client and their therapist.
Clients who are signed up for the client portal will receive email and phone reminders that will allow them to confirm or cancel a scheduled appointment and have the option to cancel, schedule and reschedule their appointments directly from their portals. This is an acceptable form of cancelation but is subject to the late cancelation policy should the confirmation or cancelation be sent in less than 24 hours.
Clients are encouraged to contact their clinician via phone as well should they need to cancel their appointment.
Should an emergency arise that prevents that client from attending the session or from canceling the session within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment, the client should contact their clinician to discuss late cancelation/No call no show fees.
Sessions left unattended without prior notice of cancellation will be charged in the amount of one flat rate fee for the service that would have been provided (Clients being seen under an Open Path Collective contract will be charged the amount of their agreed upon fee rather than the flat rate fee for the service.)
Please note: insurance does not cover no-call/no-show appointments. Clients will be responsible for the full amount of this fee, out-of-pocket.

Fee Policy

Out of Pocket paying Clients: Good-Faith-Estimate:

Clients paying out of pocket will receive a separate Good-Faith-Estimate of fees which outline the fees per service one can expect to pay. If a client is receiving sliding scale benefits, the Sliding Scale Fee application will outline the fees the client is contracted to pay and for the number of sessions under which those fees apply. Sliding scale recipients will also receive a Good-Faith-Estimate of fees that may be due should the sliding scale fee application be denied, expired, or terminated.

Insurance:

It is essential that clients understand their health insurance, benefits, and requirements.
Although Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC provides the courtesy of verifying your benefits at the outset of treatment, we do not guarantee accurate information and notification of copays, coinsurance, and deductibles are considered guidelines.
It is strongly recommended that each client intending to use insurance, contact their plan holder to verify coverage for mental health services.
Clients are responsible to inform MCMH of impending or actual loss of coverage. Loss of coverage under any insurance (including Medicaid) may result in fees accumulated for sessions that take place after the insurance termination date. These fees will be the responsibility of the client.
Acceptance of insurance by providers at Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC varies.
Providers also accept clients who do not have insurance or waive their right to use it.
Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC is contracted with some insurance carriers, and will submit claims as a courtesy on client's behalf.
It is the member’s responsibility to comply with any requests from the insurance carrier for information. This will avoid delays in the processing of claims.
If a client has mental health insurance that is not accepted by their provider and wishes to continue services, the client understands that they are agreeing to waive their right to use the insurance as a form of payment.
Clients may attempt to be reimbursed by any mental health insurance they have, with the understanding the provider and Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC do not guarantee successful reimbursement.
Clients with HSA or FSA accounts may attempt to use these accounts in order to cover payment of services. However, some HSA and FSA accounts do not always authorize the use of the account for services rendered, therefore clients who are unable to use these accounts are required to have alternate form of payment ready in the case that the account charge is declined at the time it is run.
Should a client’s insurance be accepted by their provider at Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC, clients understand that they are responsible for all copays, deductibles, and amounts owed above and beyond that which is allowed by the insurance plan and that amounts owed are due at the time of service or upon receipt of invoice.
Clients with Medicaid may not waive their right to use their benefits. Per Medicaid rules, they are required to seek treatment by a covered provider.

Fees (Does not apply to Medicaid Recipients):

Payment for each scheduled session will be invoiced at the start of each session and that payment is due at the time of service or invoice.
Clients are required to keep a credit card on file for the purpose of charging for each session and/or for charging in the event of a no call/no show or late cancelation due to a non-emergency reason as well as any fees deemed "patient/client responsibility" by insurance plans.
Clients may still use other forms of payment rather than to use the card on file.
It is the client’s responsibility to ensure the office and their provider are informed of the type of payment to be used at each session.
We accept Cash, Check, Money Order, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.
We do not accept post-dated checks. Checks should be made out to Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC regardless of provider status as independent contractor or employee.
Co-pays and out-of-pocket fees are due at the time of service.
In situations where multiple parties wish to alternate or split fees for treatment, a designated party must be established for the purpose of all payments, or another arrangement must be made in writing prior to the start of the session.
We are unable to mediate disagreements between parties if payment is outstanding.
Clients will be assessed a $40 fee for any checks returned for Non-Sufficient Funds
No call/No Show and Late cancelation appointments due to non-emergency reasons will be charged in the amount of one flat rate fee (Those attending sessions under contract with Open Path Collective will be charged the amount of their agreed upon fee).
Payments for no call/no show appointments or late cancelations will be collected no later than 24 hours and may post immediately following the realization of non-attendance.
We may reach out to clients ahead of time to attempt to make contact in the event of a no call/no show or late cancelation, however this is not a requirement of our office.
Insurance does not cover no-call/no-show appointments. Clients will be responsible for the full amount of this fee, out-of-pocket.
Leniency may be given to the first no call/no show or late cancelation due to non-emergency reason but is at the discretion of the provider and Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC. This will be discussed upon such events occurring.

Late Fee Policy (Does not apply to Medicaid Recipients):

A $15.00 administrative fee will be administered on the 15th day past the service date for all accounts for payment unobtained and the account will be deemed delinquent.
A $10.00 late fee will be administered every 30 days, beginning the 31st day past the date of service for all delinquent accounts.
Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC and all its affiliates reserve the right to submit accounts 90+ days delinquent to a collection agency in order to obtain outstanding balances.
Leniency may be given to the first late payment up to but not surpassing the 15th day past the service date but is at the discretion of the clinician and Mindful Connections Mental Health, LLC. This will be discussed upon such events occurring.
If legal proceedings are initiated to collect any fees due under this agreement, or if any other legal dispute arises in connection with, the provision of services to the client, the client agrees to pay all costs and attorney fees of the prevailing party in such action.

Termination Policy

Termination of therapeutic services may occur at any time and may be initiated by either the client or their provider.
Should the therapist initiate termination of services; clients will receive a list of referral sources in order to continue therapeutic care through another individual or agency:
The provider has the right to terminate therapeutic services to those clients who have violated any of the policies outlined and agreed to in the new client paperwork.
The provider has the right to terminate therapeutic services to those clients who have failed to attend 2 or more scheduled sessions without prior notification of cancelation.
The provider has the right to terminate therapeutic services to those clients who have consistently cancelled 3 or more scheduled sessions in a row.
Termination of therapeutic services may occur and be initiated by either the client or the provider should either party perceive the services being provided are not sufficient in meeting the client’s therapeutic needs.
It is strongly suggested that prior to either party terminating the therapeutic relationship, a discussion take place with regard to concerns or questions about the reason for termination in order to assist in providing the best care possible for the client whether that be reform of treatment, referral to another clinician or agency, or something similar.

Legal Proceedings

If clients become involved in legal proceedings they will be expected to pay for their provider’s professional time and the professional time of any supervisor the provider is currently contracted with, even if called to testify by another party. Because of the difficulty of legal involvement, clients can expect to have a higher hourly rate for legal work than usual consulting fees. Should a client or their legal counsel desire their clinician’s presence in court, the fee structure for court is as follows:

All preparatory time (e.g., reviewing the file, court preparation with attorney, communications related to preparation) is charged at $400/ hour/per provider (this includes supervisors).
Court time, for all time required out of the office (i.e., including drive time) and/or scheduled out that your clinician otherwise would not be able to see clients is charged at $400/hour/per provider (this includes supervisors). A minimum of two hours is automatically billed for each provider (this includes supervisors). Any time spent after the initial two hours will be rounded to the next 15-minute interval. In the event that court appearance is canceled or rescheduled, 30% of the retainer will be lost.
Due to the inability to schedule other activities during an anticipated court appearance, a $800 per provider retainer to be paid in advance is required.
As a general policy, clinicians cannot be available “on-call,” as being called to come to court at the last minute in that fashion is too disruptive to their practice, and not fair to clients that otherwise would be scheduled that day.
Generally speaking, insurance may not cover this service, therefore all fees may be due out of pocket.

Emotional Support Animals/Service Animals

We love our pets and we are sure you love yours too! We kindly ask that you leave your pets, Emotional Support Animals, Comfort Animals, Therapy Animals, and Companion animals at home.

Our office is small but often high traffic which increases the risk that the presence of an animal will be intrusive or harmful to others. According to the ADA , Emotional Support Animals, Comfort Animals, Therapy Animals and Companion animals are terms used to describe animals that provide comfort just by being with a person. Because they have not been trained to perform a specific job or task, they do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. In the state of Colorado, Emotional Support Animals and similar are allowed in "pet friendly" locations but are not afforded the same rights to public locations as Service Animals.

Service animals are defined as an animal that is individually trained to perform tasks or do work for the benefit of a person with a disability and are welcome at Mindful Connections Mental Health.