HIPAA Privacy Policy
Rachel N. Becker, MD
Adult Psychiatry & Psychopharmacology
Effective Date: June 17, 2026
Privacy Officer: Rachel N. Becker, MD
Website: drrachelbecker.com
Phone: 212-288-6660
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.
I. Our Commitment to Your Privacy
II. How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information
Treatment
Dr. Becker may use your health information to provide psychiatric care, psychopharmacology services, therapy, medication management, treatment planning, and follow-up care.
Dr. Becker may also communicate with other providers involved in your care, such as therapists, primary care physicians, OB/GYNs, or other treating clinicians, when appropriate and permitted by law. This helps support coordinated and comprehensive care.
Payment
Dr. Becker does not accept or bill insurance.
Health information may still be used for payment-related purposes, including direct billing, payment processing, receipts, bookkeeping, account records, cancellation fees, missed appointment fees, and related administrative needs.
If you request documentation for reimbursement or personal records, Dr. Becker may provide appropriate documentation consistent with applicable law and your request.
Health Care Operations:
Dr. Becker may use health information for normal practice operations, including scheduling, recordkeeping, quality review, legal or professional compliance, technology support, billing administration, and other activities necessary to operate the practice.
Appointment Reminders and Communications
Dr. Becker may contact you by phone, voicemail, website contact form, or another communication method you provide or request. These communications may be used for scheduling, appointment reminders, follow-up, medication-related matters, or other practice-related purposes.
Please be aware that standard voicemail, website contact forms, and other non-secure communication methods may not be fully secure.
Do not use voicemail or website contact forms for urgent or life-threatening emergencies. For emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Dr. Becker asks that refill requests not be made after hours or on weekends.
In-Person and Virtual Care
Sessions may take place in person or virtually, depending on clinical appropriateness, availability, and applicable law. When virtual care is used, Dr. Becker will take reasonable steps to protect your privacy.
III. Special Situations
Dr. Becker may use or disclose health information without your written authorization when required or permitted by law, including:
- To prevent or lessen a serious threat to your health or safety, or the health or safety of another person;
- To report suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence when required or permitted by law;
- In response to a court order, subpoena, or other lawful legal process;
- For health oversight activities, such as licensing, audits, or investigations;
- For law enforcement purposes when required or permitted by law;
- As otherwise required by federal, state, or local law.
IV. Psychotherapy Notes
Psychotherapy notes receive special protection under HIPAA. These notes are generally separate from the regular medical record and may include a mental health professional’s private notes documenting or analyzing the contents of a therapy session.
Most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes require your written authorization, except in limited circumstances permitted by law.
Your regular medical record may still include information such as diagnosis, medications, symptoms, treatment plan, progress, appointment history, and billing information.
V. Uses That Require Written Authorization
Dr. Becker will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your health information for purposes not described in this Notice, unless otherwise permitted or required by law.
Written authorization is generally required for:
- Most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes;
- Marketing purposes, except in limited circumstances permitted by law;
- Other uses and disclosures not described in this Notice.
You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent Dr. Becker has already relied on it.
VI. Your Rights
You have the following rights regarding your health information:
Right to Inspect and Receive a Copy
You may request to inspect or receive a copy of health information used to make decisions about your care, usually including medical and billing records. This right generally does not include psychotherapy notes.
Right to Request an Amendment
If you believe information in your record is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment in writing.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You may request a list of certain disclosures of your health information. This list does not include all disclosures, such as those made for treatment, payment, health care operations, or disclosures made with your written authorization.
Right to Request Restrictions
You may request restrictions on how your health information is used or disclosed. Dr. Becker is not required to agree to every request, but if she does agree, she will follow the restriction unless the information is needed for emergency treatment or disclosure is required by law.
Right to Confidential Communications
You may request that Dr. Becker contact you in a certain way or at a certain location. Reasonable requests will be accommodated when possible.
Right to a Paper Copy
You may request a paper copy of this Notice at any time.
Right to File a Complaint
You may file a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. You may complain directly to Dr. Becker or to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights.
You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint.
VII. Cancellation and Payment Policy
Dr. Becker has a two full business day cancellation policy. If you cancel within that window, Dr. Becker may try to find another available time that same week, depending on schedule availability. If a mutually agreeable time cannot be found, you may be responsible for payment of the missed appointment.
This policy applies to consultations, evaluations, and follow-up appointments.