Effective Date: February 16, 2026
Better Selves Counseling | Pompano Beach, FL
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.
1. Our Commitment to Your Health Information
We are required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to maintain the privacy of your Protected Health Information (PHI). In 2026, this includes specific protections for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) records and domestic data storage.+1
2. How We Use and Disclose Your PHI
We may use your information for the following purposes without your specific authorization:
- Treatment: To provide, coordinate, or manage your mental health care.
- Payment: To bill you or your insurance company for services.
- Healthcare Operations: To perform administrative tasks, such as quality audits or business planning.
- As Required by Law: We will disclose PHI when required by Florida or Federal law (e.g., reporting child/elder abuse or responding to a court order).
3. Enhanced Protections & 2026 Updates
- Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Records: Per 42 CFR Part 2 and the 2026 HIPAA update, we will not disclose SUD records in civil, criminal, or legislative proceedings against you without your specific written consent or a specialized court order.
- Data Residency (Florida SB 264): In compliance with § 408.051(3), F.S., all your electronic health records are physically maintained on servers located within the Continental United States, its territories, or Canada. We do not “offshore” your health data.
- Redisclosure Warning: Once information is disclosed pursuant to your authorization, it may be subject to redisclosure by the recipient and may no longer be protected by federal privacy rules.
4. Your Rights Regarding Your PHI
- Access: You have the right to inspect and receive an electronic or paper copy of your clinical records.
- Amendment: You may ask us to correct information you believe is incorrect or incomplete.
- Accounting of Disclosures: You can request a list of the times we’ve shared your information for up to six years prior to your request.
- Restriction Requests: You can ask us not to use or share certain health information for treatment or payment. We are not always required to agree, but if you pay for a service out-of-pocket in full, we must agree not to share that info with your insurer.
5. Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us directly or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.