Acumen Advisors, Inc. (acumen) is committed to protecting the privacy of our clients, partners, and visitors. This statement details the steps we take to protect personal information provided on our websites. It describes the types of personal information that we collect, the purposes for which we use such information, and the choices our users have regarding our use of it. The steps we take to protect personal information and how it can be reviewed and corrected are also covered here. By accessing our websites, users are consenting to the information collection and use practices described in this privacy statement.
privacy policy
Introduction
Our collection of information
In the course of a visit to acumenadvisors.com and any of our sub-domains, we collect a variety of information directly from clients, partners, and visitors. Anyone can visit our site without entering any personal information. On certain pages, users may be asked for personal information to provide a service or carry out a transaction that they have requested. The personal information we collect from a user in any of these circumstances may include:
- contact details, such as a user’s name, company/organization name, e-mail address, telephone and fax numbers, and physical address;
- information about the user’s company/organization and role;
- country of residence;
- email marketing preferences;
- information used to customize and facilitate the use of our websites;
- inquiries about and for our services;
- information that assists us in identifying the services that best meet visitors’ needs;
- event and service registration information;
- feedback from users about our websites and about our products and services in general;
- the content of a testimonial, rating, review or comment, or other user-generated content that may be posted publicly on our sites. We also collect and securely store information about our customers from sources other than our websites.
Information we collect from visitors to our web site
Web Server Log Files
As is common with websites providing e-commerce services, a record of all visits to acumen’s site is stored on our web servers. These log files include data that is not associated with any visitor’s identity that is not used to associate with personally identifiable information provided by any visitors to our sites. Information collected in these logs includes details such as a visitor’s IP address, browser type, referring page and time of visit. We also collect information about visits to our sites, including what pages are viewed, the number of bytes transferred, the links clicked, the materials accessed, and other actions taken within acumen’s sites/subdomains.
Cookies
Many of the advanced functions available to users of our sites require the use of files called cookies, which store a small digital record of user preferences and recent activity on our visitor’s computers. While cookies are not required in order to browse our site, they are an integral part of the browsing.
Email Addresses
When customers register an account with an acumen site, we gather the email address and password provided. Passwords are stored in an encrypted format for the protection of our customers. Email addresses provided to us for the purposes of creating an account or subscribing to a newsletter are stored securely on our servers.
Employment Applications
In connection with an employment application or inquiry, visitors may provide us with information about themselves, such as a résumé or curriculum vitae. We may use this information for the purpose of employment consideration. We will retain the information for future consideration unless directed not to do so.
How we use the collected information
We use our subscriber’s personal information to deliver information and communicate in a permission-based manner, facilitating the use of our websites, and so forth. In order to offer a more consistent experience in interactions with acumen, information collected by our websites may be combined with information we collect by other means.
Web Server Log Files
We use the information collected in our server logs to analyze how visitors use our sites, to improve the efficiency of our systems and to enhance the quality of the user experience on our sites. This data is useful in analyzing the performance of the hardware and software that run our sites, as well as supporting the analysis of site security.
Cookies and Tracking Pixels
We may use session cookies to store elements of user profiles, to facilitate movement around our site and other information useful in administering the session. We may also use this information to make our websites easier to use by eliminating the need for customers to repeatedly enter the same information or by customizing our site to their particular preference or interests. Our sites also may contain electronic images known as tracking pixels that allow us to count the number of users who have visited those pages. We may include tracking pixels in promotional e-mail messages or newsletters in order to determine whether messages have been opened and acted upon.
We use Google Analytics, Google AdWords Conversion tracker, and other Google services that place cookies on browsers visiting our websites. These cookies are set and read by Google, and they are used to increase the effectiveness of our websites for our visitors. To opt out of Google tracking, please visit this page.
We may use Google AdWords remarketing to market our sites across the web, which places a cookie on browsers visiting our sites. Google reads these cookies and may serve ads on other sites based on pages and products viewed on our sites. You may opt out of this advertising program by visiting Google’s opt out page. If you are concerned about 3rd party cookies served by other networks, you should also visit the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page.
Email Addresses
Email addresses provided to us for the purpose of communicating or inquiries are used in the course of communications regarding services and will be added to our email marketing list- with the option to opt out at any time. Email addresses provided to us by those opting in to our newsletters and marketing communications are used to inform participants of sales, promotions, events and activities we feel might be of interest to our subscribers. It is the policy of acumen not to sell, rent, lease or otherwise distribute email addresses of our customers or subscribers to any third parties for any purpose.
With our customers’ permission, we may use their personal information gathered via our website to inform them of products or services available from acumen. When collecting information that might be used to contact subscribers about our products and services, we will always provide the opportunity to opt-out of receiving such communications. Moreover, each e-mail communication we send includes an unsubscribe link allowing customers to stop delivery of that type of communication. If they elect to unsubscribe, we will remove them from the relevant list immediately.
Data Storage/Data Retention Policy
Records of online customer communications are stored securely on our servers and platform, and accessible to acumen’s employees. We will retain records of those communications unless requested otherwise by the contact. We consider our contacts, whether they are active clients or not, an active contact in the course of doing business, unless otherwise requested.
Credit Card Information
Credit card information collected from customers is used to process payment for invoices and will not be stored by acumen. We accept credit cards via our secure payment system.
Our use of web analytics
Acumen uses industry standard web analytics to track web visits. Users may opt out of web analytics by installing the following tools on their computer. Please visit https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout for more information.
Disclosure of personal information
Except as described below, personal information provided to acumen through our website will not be shared outside of acumen without permission. acumen contracts with other companies to provide services on our behalf, such as hosting websites, sending out information, processing transactions, and analyzing our websites. We provide these companies with only those elements of our customers’ personal information they need to deliver those services. These companies and their employees are prohibited from using that personal information for any other purpose.
We may disclose personal information if required to do so by law or in the good-faith belief that such action is necessary to comply with legal requirements or with legal process served on us, to protect and defend our rights or property, or in urgent circumstances to protect the personal safety of any individual.
Security
Acumen is committed to protecting the security of the non-public personal information shared with us by our contacts. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to help protect that non-public personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. Our payment processing systems, as well as those of our partners in payment processing, are PCI compliant, using industry-standard Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology to encrypt sensitive customer data both in transit and in storage. This technology is designed to prevent unauthorized persons from accessing your personal information in the course of a transaction.
Reviewing personal information
Contacts may request to review and correct any personal information collected via our websites, or request acumen to stop using it by completing our Contact Us form. We may take steps to verify the identity of the person making the request before providing any access to personal information. Contacts can help us to maintain the accuracy of their information by notifying us of any change to their mailing address, phone number, or e-mail address.
Children's online privacy
Acumen is committed to protecting the online privacy of children. Our websites and online marketing activities are designed and intended for a general audience, and are not meant to market directly to children. To protect the privacy of children, acumen websites and mobile applications do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under the age of 13 without prior parental consent. If you believe we may have collected information from your child without your consent, please use our contact form to inform us of this collection, and we will work to correct the situation in a timely manner.
Links to other sites
Our websites may contain links to other sites and content such as social media, video archives, professional, non-profit and government organizations, and publications. We also link to third-party providers that host, maintain and operate a variety of web-based services. While we try to link only to sites and services that share our high standards and respect for privacy, we are not responsible for the content, security, or privacy practices employed by other companies and their sites.
Compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Acumen’s procedures and policies meet the general spirit of GDPR. In the event of a security breach of our contact’s private data, all reporting protocols will be met. Data collection will be considered valid until a contact requests to be removed from communications, have their data deleted or otherwise requests clarification on data use.
Should a contact residing in the EU at the time submit their information, acumen will follow GDPR requirements as they pertain to all policies stated within this statement.
Enforcement of this privacy statement
Questions regarding this statement or our handling of personal information should be addressed through our Contact Form. We will promptly address any concerns and strive to reach a satisfactory resolution.
Changes to this privacy statement
Acumen may occasionally update this privacy statement. When we do, we will revise the “last updated” date at the top of the privacy statement.
HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
Acumen Advisors, Inc.’s privacy practices apply to:
- Those covered by an individual health or dental insurance plan (hereafter referred to as the Plan) through Acumen Advisors, Inc. (hereafter referred to as Acumen) or through an agent affiliated with Acumen, or
- Those covered by an employer group health, dental or ancillary insurance plan (hereafter referred to as the Plan) through Acumen or through an agent affiliated with Acumen.
The Plan often needs access to protected health information in order to provide payment for health services and perform plan administrative functions. Acumen assures the participants covered under the Plan that we comply with federal privacy laws and respect their right to privacy.
Except as described in this privacy notice and consistent with all legal obligations, Acumen will not use or disclose protected health information which identifies any participant without the written authorization of the participant. Written authorization can be revoked by the participant at any time.
Acumen requires all members of our workforce and third parties that are provided access to protected health information to comply with the privacy practices outlined below.
How Acumen May Use Protected Health Information
Under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, Acumen may use or disclose protected health information for certain purposes. This section describes the ways we may use or disclose protected health information in order to service the Plan or advocate on behalf of a plan participant.
Payment. We may use or disclose protected health information with other professionals in order to help determine eligibility for benefits, seek reimbursement from a third party, or coordinate benefits with a health plan or provider. For example, a health care provider that provided treatment will provide us with participant health information. We use that information to determine whether those services may be eligible for payment under the Plan.
As permitted or required by law. We are permitted by law to share information, subject to certain requirements, in order to communicate information on health-related benefits or services, respond to a court order, or provide information to further public health activities (for example: preventing the spread of disease). We are also permitted to share protected health information during a corporate restructuring such as a merger, sale, or acquisition, if the Plan is part of an employer group plan. We will also disclose health information when required by law.
To the Plan Sponsor. We may disclose protected health information to certain employees of Acumen or an agency that partners with Acumen for the purpose of administering the Plan. These employees will use or disclose the protected health information only as necessary to perform plan administration functions or as otherwise required by HIPAA, unless additional disclosures have been authorized by the participant. Protected health information cannot be used for employment purposes without specific authorization.
Plan Participant Rights
- Right to request electronic or paper copy of your records
- Right to amend or supplement
- Right to an accounting of disclosures
- Right to request special privacy protections
- Right to request confidential communications
- Right to be notified of a breach
- Right to receive a paper copy of this notice upon request
- Right to request someone to act on your behalf
Acumen’s Legal Responsibilities
Acumen is required by law to maintain the privacy and security of protected health information, follow the duties and privacy policies described in this notice, provide this notice about our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to protected health information, and promptly notify affected individuals following a breach of unsecured protected health information.
We may change our policies at any time and reserve the right to make the change effective for all protected health information that we maintain. In the event that we make a significant change in our policies, we will provide a revised copy of this notice. A copy of our current notice is available upon request, in our office, and on our website: acumenadvisors.com.
For more information, questions or complaints about Acumen’s privacy practices, please contact: Christi Reynolds, Acumen Advisors, Inc., 425 2nd Street SE, Suite 1275, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, or email: creynolds@acumenadvisors.com.
Acumen’s Legal Responsibilities
If there is a concern that Acumen has violated privacy rights, or a participant disagrees about access to their records, contact the person listed above. Complaints may also be directed to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights by mail at 200 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20201, by phone at 877-696-6775, or by visiting hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints. There will be no penalties or retaliation for filing a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights or with Acumen.
This form does not constitute legal advice and is provided “as is”. This form is based upon current federal law and is subject to change based upon changes in federal law or subsequent interpretive guidance. This form must be modified to reflect the user’s privacy practices and its state law where the state law is more stringent. Notice updated January 1, 2022.