Privacy Policy

Michigan Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) is committed to protecting the privacy of its members and customers. MAFP maintains safeguards to store and secure information about its members and customers. The safeguards may be physical, electronic, or procedural. This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) describes: (i) how tMAFP collects information from its website and through your other voluntary interactions with MAFP (e.g., subscription to a MAFP publication, communication with MAFP, purchase of an MAFP product, application for volunteer leadership positions, registration to a MAFP event, participation in a member survey); and (ii) how MAFP uses this information. With respect to the website, please note that this Policy applies only to MAFP's website and not to the websites of unrelated third-party companies or organizations to which MAFP provides links, or to any software that may be downloaded from MAFP's website.

By visiting MAFP's website (i.e., www.mafp.com), becoming a member or customer, or otherwise voluntarily submitting information to MAFP, you agree to this Policy. MAFP reserves the right to make changes to this Policy at any time; in such case, MAFP will post a notice that this Policy has been modified by revising the “Last updated” date at the bottom of this page.

What Information Does MAFP Collect?

MAFP collects two types of information: (1) non-personally identifiable information for everyone who visits its website; and (2) personally identifiable information for members, registered website users, and anyone who purchases or requests products, services, or information.

Non-personally Identifiable Information

MAFP employs cookies to collect information about all visitors to its website, including pages viewed and the order visited, terms used in searching the MAFP website, and products investigated or purchased. MAFP uses cookies to offer greater functionality, and the information generated from these cookies is used to help determine which services are most important and to guide editorial and business decisions.

Users who do not desire the functionality offered by cookies may disable cookie functionality in their browsers or through settings on their mobile devices; however, users who do so may not be able to use some features of the MAFP website. For example, a registered user must have cookies enabled in order to access the registered-user sections of the MAFP website.

For system administration and troubleshooting, MAFP also logs the originating Internet Protocol (IP) address, the browser and operating system used, and information about your individual use, such as time and date of visits, duration of sessions, and other similar usage or system data.

MAFP collects this non-personally identifiable information from users who are browsing the public areas of its website. MAFP may review this information if a user's account is associated with: (i) attempts to violate the security of MAFP computer networks; (ii) activity that degrades the performance of the MAFP website; or (iii) activity that might be related to copyright or other violations. MAFP may also use this information in conjunction with personally identifiable information (as set forth below under “How does MAFP use information collected?”).

Personally Identifiable Information

In addition to the non-personally identifiable items listed above, MAFP records the user’s name and member/customer ID number for all registered users (i.e., users who have logged into a password-protected area of the MAFP website). In the course of using the MAFP website, a user may be asked to provide personally identifiable information (e.g., name, address, zip code, email address, telephone number, fax number, credit card payment information) in order to purchase a product, participate in a MAFP activity, subscribe to a publication, request information, or otherwise interact with the MAFP. In addition, users may be asked to update their contact information.

MAFP also collects email addresses provided via membership applications and renewals on American Academy of Family Physicians' website, website registrations, product purchases, member surveys, downloads of certain materials, email communication sign-ups, and comments made in discussion threads on the MAFP website.

Important note for MAFP members: MAFP also maintains a membership database. The information in this database is drawn from membership applications, dues payment forms, subscriptions, product orders, continuing medical education (CME) reporting, public databases, member surveys, and other correspondence between MAFP, AAFP, and its Michigan chapter members.

Credit card information: MAFP does not disclose the credit card account information or activity of its customers. When members and customers pay using their credit cards, MAFP submits this information encrypted to obtain payment from the appropriate clearing house. If credit card numbers are stored in MAFP databases, they are encrypted.

How Does MAFP use Information Collected?

MAFP uses the information it collects to better serve members, customers, and visitors to the MAFP website in the following ways:

MAFP Services and Products

MAFP uses information collected to improve its web content, to respond to visitor needs and preferences, and to develop new products and services. For example, MAFP will combine non-personally identifiable information (e.g., data stored in cookies, user’s IP address) with personally identifiable information (e.g., user’s name, member/customer ID, email address) to offer products and services that may be of specific interest to the user.

Disclosure to Third Parties

MAFP makes member contact information available in its online membership directory only to other members of MAFP who have verified their membership status before entering the online membership directory. MAFP may also make your contact information and/or other personally identifiable information publicly available in connection with MAFP programs and events or for other purposes, as permitted by you. MAFP also shares membership, demographic, CME, and/or contact information with organizations such as the following: American Academy of Family Physicians, of which MAFP is a state chapter; Southeastern Michigan Academy of Family Physicians, the local chapter of MAFP; Family Medicine Foundation of Michigan, MAFP's philanthropic arm; Michigan Family Medicine Political Action Committee; a member's residency program or medical school; and the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM).

MAFP also may share CME activity participation records with medical licensing boards (which may include CME reporting agents and/or contractors of those boards). Such records may include, but not be limited to: the member’s name and license number; the name and date of the CME activity; and the number of credits received for participation in the CME activity. In connection with the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, CME attendees’ names, addresses, license numbers, states of licensure, and any transfers of value may be shared with the CME activities’ funders.

MAFP also may disclose limited personally identifiable information (e.g., name, address, purchase information) to outside service providers that help MAFP offer products, services, and information. For example, the MAFP may work with outside service providers to: (i) distribute emails or make telephone solicitations; (ii) assist with direct marketing, customize advertisements, and collect data; (iii) help detect and prevent fraud; and (iv) otherwise assist MAFP in enhancing its products, services, and other offerings, and serving its members and customers. MAFP requires that these outside service providers agree to keep confidential all such information and to use it for the purposes designated by MAFP.

Like many other organizations, MAFP may use outside marketing companies to place and monitor advertisements or links on the MAFP website. These companies may use non-personally identifiable information (e.g., links clicked on during a visit, browser type, time and date, subject of advertisements clicked on or scrolled over) during your visits to the MAFP website in order to provide advertisements about products and services more likely to be of interest to you. These companies typically use a cookie or a third-party web beacon to collect this information. MAFP is not responsible for the collection or use of information by such marketing companies or third-party websites.

Emails

Once someone voluntarily provides an email address, MAFP assumes it has permission to email that person with questions, transaction follow-up, and advertisements, and to send bulk email messages. MAFP collects data to track the effectiveness of emails, which enables MAFP to better serve its audiences.

As noted earlier, there are instances in which MAFP will share email addresses of its members and customers with outside service providers who assist MAFP in offering its products and services and who are under an obligation of confidentiality; however, MAFP does not sell or rent the email addresses of its members and customers.

Disclosure Required by Law or Emergency Circumstances

MAFP may release personal information to third parties in order to comply with legal requirements.

External Relationships

MAFP has agreements with other organizations that offer products and services through the MAFP website or third party agreements. When the user interacts with these organizations on the organizations’ websites, whether as a result of following links from the MAFP website, within a MAFP email, or otherwise, different rules and privacy policies may apply. Since MAFP does not control the collection of information or the use of information collected via these other organizations’ websites, MAFP is not responsible for their privacy practices, security, or content.

Opting Out

While MAFP hopes that the information in this Policy helps you understand how MAFP uses and protects your information to provide you with better service, you may still choose not to receive information from MAFP.

Email opt-out

All of MAFP's marketing emails and some of its informational emails include a link for unsubscribing. Registered users on MAFP's website also can log in to the “My Profile” section to change their email preferences. MAFP will apply your unsubscribe request as quickly as possible. However, because there may be email campaigns already in progress, you may continue to receive emails from MAFP for a few days. MAFP requires up to 10 days to apply your unsubscribe request. After this time, you should no longer receive marketing or informational emails from MAFP. You may still receive emails regarding your transactions (e.g., confirmation that you have registered for an event).

Direct Mail Opt-out

To discontinue receipt of MAFP's magazine and direct mail promotions, please call MAFP at 517.347.0098 or email [email protected]. Your request will be processed as quickly as possible. However, due to mailing lead times, it is possible that you may receive a few more mailings from MAFP. After six to eight weeks, you should no longer receive mailings from MAFP.

For questions or concerns about this Policy, please contact [email protected].