NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
Daniel M. Pearlman, MD, PLLC 609 N Hepburn Ave, Suite 203 Jupiter, FL 33458 Phone: 561-821-7707 Email: info@pearlmanmd.com
Effective Date: April 1, 2026
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN ACCESS IT. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
I. Commitment to Privacy
Daniel M. Pearlman, MD, PLLC is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your Protected Health Information (“PHI”). Mental health information is especially sensitive, and this practice applies heightened safeguards consistent with applicable federal and state law.
This Notice describes:
How your PHI may be used and disclosed
Your rights regarding your PHI
The practice’s legal duties as a healthcare provider
This practice complies with:
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
45 CFR Parts 160 and 164
Other applicable federal and state confidentiality laws, including mental health privacy protections that may vary depending on where services are provided and where the patient is located
I am required by law to:
Maintain the privacy of your PHI
Provide you with this Notice
Follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect
Notify you if a breach of unsecured PHI occurs when required by law
I reserve the right to revise this Notice. Any revision will apply to all PHI maintained by the practice. The current version will always be available through the patient portal and on the practice website.
II. How Your Information May Be Used and Disclosed
A. Treatment
Your PHI may be used and disclosed to provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare. This includes communication with other licensed healthcare professionals involved in your treatment.
Disclosures for treatment are not limited by the “minimum necessary” standard, as full relevant information may be required to provide safe and appropriate care.
B. Payment
Your PHI may be used and disclosed to obtain payment for services rendered. This may include:
Submitting claims to insurance companies
Verifying coverage
Responding to payer audits
Collection of outstanding balances
If you pay out-of-pocket in full for a specific service, you may request that the practice not disclose information about that service to your health insurer. Such requests will be honored as required by law.
C. Health Care Operations
Your PHI may be used for practice operations, including:
Quality assessment
Compliance review
Risk management
Licensing and credentialing
Business planning
Administrative activities
When required, business associates (such as the electronic health record vendor) are contractually obligated to safeguard your information.
III. Uses and Disclosures Without Authorization
Federal and state law permit or require disclosure of PHI without your written authorization under specific circumstances, including:
1. Serious Threat to Health or Safety
If necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat of harm to you or an identifiable person.
2. Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation
To report suspected child abuse, elder abuse, or abuse of a vulnerable adult, as required by law.
3. Court Orders and Legal Proceedings
In response to a valid court order or other lawful process.
4. Public Health and Legal Requirements
For legally mandated reporting or oversight activities.
When feasible and appropriate, you may be notified of such disclosures.
IV. Additional Protections for Certain Substance Use Disorder Records
Certain substance use disorder treatment records may be protected by federal confidentiality law, including 42 CFR Part 2, when those records are created or maintained by a federally assisted substance use disorder program or are otherwise subject to Part 2.
When this practice creates, receives, or maintains records that are subject to 42 CFR Part 2, those records will be used and disclosed in accordance with applicable federal law, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.
If records are protected under 42 CFR Part 2, certain uses and disclosures that may otherwise be permitted by HIPAA for treatment, payment, and health care operations may be limited by the stricter requirements of Part 2.
Part 2-protected records, or testimony relaying their content, generally may not be used or disclosed in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings against a patient unless the patient provides specific written consent or a court order is issued in accordance with 42 CFR Part 2.
This practice may also maintain substance use disorder counseling notes when applicable. SUD counseling notes are notes recorded by a substance use disorder provider documenting or analyzing the contents of a counseling session. Use or disclosure of SUD counseling notes requires separate written authorization, except as otherwise permitted or required by law. Authorization for SUD counseling notes cannot be combined with consent for other types of records.
Patients have the right to request an accounting of disclosures specifically for substance use disorder records protected under 42 CFR Part 2.
Patients who believe their rights regarding protected substance use disorder records have been violated may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights.
VI. Psychotherapy Notes
“Psychotherapy Notes” are personal notes documenting or analyzing the contents of a counseling session and are maintained separately from your official medical record.
Psychotherapy notes:
Are not part of the medical record
Are not disclosed to insurers
Are not released without your specific written authorization
Except as permitted by law, including:
For use in treating you
For defense in legal proceedings initiated by you
For oversight by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
When required by law
To prevent a serious threat to health or safety
This practice does not use psychotherapy notes for marketing or training purposes.
VII. Electronic Communication & Telehealth
This practice utilizes HIPAA-compliant electronic systems for:
Telehealth services
Secure portal messaging
Scheduling
Billing
Electronic prescribing
Electronic medical records
Reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards are in place. However, no electronic system is entirely risk-free.
Routine clinical communication is conducted through the secure patient portal. Phone calls are not used for routine clinical communication. Emergency communications should not occur through the portal.
VIII. Minimum Necessary Standard
When using or disclosing PHI, other than for treatment or as otherwise permitted by law, this practice limits information to the minimum necessary to accomplish the intended purpose.
IX. Your Rights Regarding Your PHI
You have the right to:
1. Access
Inspect and obtain a copy of your medical record, excluding psychotherapy notes and other information excluded by law.
2. Amendment
Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
3. Confidential Communications
Request communications through alternative means or locations.
4. Restrictions
Request limits on certain uses or disclosures. While not required to agree to most requested restrictions, legally required restrictions will be honored.
5. Accounting of Disclosures
Request a list of certain disclosures made for purposes other than treatment, payment, and health care operations, subject to applicable law. For substance use disorder records protected under 42 CFR Part 2, you may have additional rights to receive a list of certain disclosures of those records, as required by law.
6. Paper or Electronic Copy
Receive a copy of this Notice at any time.
Requests must be made in writing. Timeframes and any applicable fees are governed by federal and state law.
X. Breach Notification
You will be notified without unreasonable delay if a breach of unsecured PHI occurs, consistent with applicable law.
XI. Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may:
Contact the practice directly at: Phone: 561-821-7707 Email: info@pearlmanmd.com
Or file a complaint with: Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Health & Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20201 Phone: 1-877-696-6775
You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.