Terms & Conditions

Welcome to the website of Southern California Sinus Institute, led by Dr. Alen Cohen (“Southern California Sinus Institute,” “SoCal Sinus,” “we,” “our,” or “us”).

These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of SoCalSinus.com, including its pages, content, forms, videos, images, interactive features, chat functionality, and other digital services.

By accessing or using this website, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the website.

1. Medical Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is intended for general educational and informational purposes only.

Website content does not constitute and should not be relied upon as:

• Medical advice
• A medical diagnosis
• A recommendation for a specific treatment
• A substitute for an examination
• A substitute for professional medical judgment
• Emergency medical care

Medical conditions and appropriate treatments vary from patient to patient. Only a qualified healthcare professional who has evaluated you can provide individualized medical advice.

Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking care because of information you have read on this website.

2. No Physician-Patient Relationship

Use of this website, reading its content, submitting a form, sending an email or text, using website chat, or otherwise communicating electronically with Southern California Sinus Institute does not by itself establish a physician-patient relationship with Dr. Alen Cohen or any other healthcare professional.

A physician-patient relationship is established only through appropriate professional evaluation and acceptance of the relationship by the provider in accordance with applicable law and practice procedures.

3. Medical Emergencies

THIS WEBSITE IS NOT AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE.

Do not use website forms, email, chat, text messaging, social media, or other website communication features for medical emergencies.

If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate care from an appropriate emergency medical facility.

4. Website Information

We make reasonable efforts to provide useful and accurate information. However, medicine, medical technology, professional recommendations, products, services, insurance coverage, and clinical standards change over time.

We do not guarantee that all website information is:

• Complete
• Current
• Error-free
• Applicable to your individual circumstances

Content may be updated, corrected, removed, or changed without notice.

5. Treatment Information and Outcomes

Descriptions of procedures, conditions, technology, recovery, benefits, risks, candidacy, or expected results are general in nature.

Individual outcomes vary based on many factors, including diagnosis, anatomy, medical history, severity of disease, adherence to medical recommendations, and other individual circumstances.

Nothing on this website constitutes a guarantee, warranty, or promise regarding medical results.

6. Before-and-After Images, Testimonials, and Patient Stories

Any testimonials, reviews, patient stories, photographs, or before-and-after materials displayed on the website represent individual experiences.

They are not intended to represent or guarantee that every patient will experience the same or similar outcome.

Results vary.

7. Images and Illustrations

The website may contain stock photographs, models, illustrations, medical graphics, animations, AI-generated or AI-assisted imagery, or staged photographs.

Unless expressly identified otherwise, persons appearing in website imagery should not necessarily be assumed to be patients of Southern California Sinus Institute.

Visual representations of anatomy, procedures, equipment, or treatment are intended for educational or illustrative purposes and may be simplified.

8. Artificial Intelligence and AI-Assisted Content

Certain website content or functionality may be created, edited, organized, summarized, or otherwise assisted by artificial intelligence or automated technologies.

AI-assisted information may contain errors or omissions.

All website information, whether human-written or AI-assisted, remains subject to the medical disclaimer contained in these Terms.

AI-generated content does not constitute medical advice and should never replace evaluation by a licensed healthcare professional.

Any chatbot, automated assistant, or AI-enabled feature should not be used to diagnose a condition, select treatment, interpret urgent symptoms, or make emergency healthcare decisions.

9. Website Chat and Automated Assistants

The website may offer chat, chatbot, live chat, virtual assistant, or similar communication tools.

These features are provided primarily to assist with general questions, website navigation, appointment inquiries, and administrative communications.

Responses generated automatically may not always be accurate or complete.

Use of a chat feature does not create a physician-patient relationship.

Do not use chat features for medical emergencies or urgent medical concerns.

10. Contact and Appointment Forms

Website forms are provided for convenience.

Submitting an appointment request does not guarantee:

• Appointment availability
• Acceptance as a patient
• A specific appointment date or time
• Insurance coverage
• Treatment eligibility
• A particular treatment or procedure
• A response within a particular timeframe

An appointment is not confirmed until confirmed by the practice.

11. Electronic Communications

When you contact us electronically, you understand that electronic communications may involve risks.

Standard email, web forms, and SMS messages may not always be encrypted or completely secure.

Do not send unnecessary sensitive medical, financial, or identification information through unsecured communication channels.

12. SMS/Text Messaging Terms

By voluntarily providing your mobile number and opting in to text communications where offered, you authorize Southern California Sinus Institute and service providers acting on its behalf to send permitted text messages to the number provided.

Messages may include scheduling, appointment reminders, responses to inquiries, office information, and other communications you have requested or authorized.

Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply.

Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of receiving medical treatment.

Where supported, you may reply STOP to opt out of nonessential messages and HELP for assistance.

Carriers are not responsible for delayed or undelivered messages.

Do not use SMS for emergencies.

13. Privacy

Use of this website is also subject to our Privacy Policy.

Health information maintained by Southern California Sinus Institute as part of a patient’s healthcare record may also be governed by our Notice of Privacy Practices and applicable healthcare privacy laws, including HIPAA.

14. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise stated, website content including text, design, layout, graphics, logos, photographs, videos, icons, downloadable resources, and other materials is owned by, licensed to, or lawfully used by Southern California Sinus Institute and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws.

You may view and print reasonable portions of website content for personal, noncommercial, informational use.

You may not, without permission:

• Republish substantial website content
• Sell or commercially exploit website content
• Modify or create unauthorized derivative works
• Remove copyright or proprietary notices
• Scrape or systematically extract website content
• Use website materials to falsely imply endorsement or affiliation
• Use our branding, photographs, or content in misleading advertising

15. Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

• Attempt unauthorized access to the website or its systems
• Interfere with website security
• Introduce malware or harmful code
• Use automated systems to overload or disrupt the website
• Submit false, fraudulent, defamatory, threatening, or unlawful content
• Impersonate another individual
• Attempt to obtain information about another patient or user
• Use the website for unlawful purposes
• Circumvent technological restrictions or security measures

We may restrict access where misuse or security threats are detected.

16. Third-Party Links and Services

The website may link to external resources, maps, social media sites, medical organizations, video platforms, insurance information, or other third-party websites.

Third-party websites are operated independently.

Southern California Sinus Institute is not responsible for their content, availability, privacy practices, security, accuracy, products, or services.

Links are provided for convenience and informational purposes and do not necessarily constitute endorsement.

17. Insurance and Financial Information

Any insurance, payment, financing, pricing, or cost information displayed on the website is general information and may change.

Insurance participation does not guarantee coverage for a particular service.

Coverage, deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, authorization requirements, network status, medical necessity determinations, and patient responsibility are determined by the applicable health plan and circumstances.

Patients should confirm benefits directly with their insurer and the practice when appropriate.

18. Educational Resources and External Medical Information

Articles, blogs, FAQs, videos, downloadable guides, and links to professional organizations are provided for general educational purposes.

Publication of or linking to medical information does not mean that a particular treatment is appropriate for you.

19. Website Availability

We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free access to the website.

The website may occasionally be unavailable because of maintenance, technical problems, security issues, vendor outages, or circumstances outside our control.

20. Disclaimer of Warranties

To the fullest extent permitted by law, this website and its content are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis without warranties of any kind, express or implied.

We disclaim warranties regarding accuracy, completeness, reliability, availability, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringement to the extent legally permitted.

Nothing in this provision limits obligations that cannot lawfully be excluded.

21. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Southern California Sinus Institute, Dr. Alen Cohen, and their respective employees, contractors, representatives, and service providers will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising solely from use of or inability to use this website.

Nothing in these Terms is intended to waive rights or responsibilities that cannot legally be waived, including applicable rights relating to professional healthcare services.

22. Indemnification

To the extent permitted by law, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless Southern California Sinus Institute and its representatives from claims, liabilities, losses, or expenses arising from your unlawful misuse of the website, violation of these Terms, or infringement of another person’s rights.

23. Accessibility

Southern California Sinus Institute is committed to making its website accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Please review our separate Accessibility Statement for additional information and instructions for reporting accessibility difficulties.

24. Children

Minors should use this website with appropriate parent or guardian supervision.

Information on this website is not intended to encourage minors to make independent medical decisions without appropriate parental, guardian, or professional involvement where required.

25. Geographic Scope

Southern California Sinus Institute is located in California.

Website information is primarily intended for users in the United States and should not be interpreted as offering medical services in jurisdictions where the practice or its professionals are not authorized to provide such services.

26. Governing Law

To the extent permitted by applicable law, these Terms and your use of this website are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

Any legal provision in these Terms will be interpreted only to the extent enforceable under applicable law.

27. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

28. No Waiver

Failure to enforce a provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other right.

29. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms periodically to reflect changes to our website, services, technology, business practices, or applicable law.

Changes become effective when posted unless otherwise stated.

The “Last Updated” date above identifies the most recent revision.

30. Contact Information

Questions about these Terms may be directed to: