Terms of Service
Last Updated: October 22, 2025
Welcome to the psychiatric practice of Dr. Gabriella Farkas, MD, PhD. These Terms of Service govern your use of our website and telehealth services. By accessing our website or scheduling an appointment, you agree to these terms. Please read them carefully.
1. Scope of Services
Services Provided
Dr. Gabriella Farkas provides psychiatric medication management services via secure telehealth for adults and geriatric patients in South Carolina, New York, and Virginia. Services include:
- Comprehensive psychiatric evaluations
- Medication management for mental health conditions
- Treatment optimization and medication review
- Second opinion consultations
- Follow-up psychiatric care
Services NOT Provided
Dr. Farkas does not provide:
- Psychotherapy or counseling services
- Child or adolescent psychiatry (patients must be 18 years or older)
- Addiction psychiatry or substance use disorder treatment programs
- Emergency psychiatric services
- In-person appointments (all services are via telehealth)
- Disability or legal evaluations
- Controlled substance prescriptions for patients outside of established therapeutic relationships
2. Telehealth Services
Geographic Restrictions
Services are available only to patients physically located in South Carolina, New York, or Virginia at the time of each appointment. Patients must be present in one of these states during video sessions to comply with state licensing requirements and telehealth regulations.
Technology Requirements
Patients are responsible for ensuring they have:
- Reliable internet connection
- Computer, tablet, or smartphone with camera and microphone
- Private, confidential space for appointments
- Updated web browser or telehealth application
Telehealth Consent
By scheduling a telehealth appointment, you acknowledge that:
- Telehealth services have potential benefits and limitations compared to in-person care
- Technical difficulties may occasionally interrupt sessions
- You will be in a private, confidential location during appointments
- You understand that telehealth is appropriate for psychiatric medication management but may not be suitable for all clinical situations
3. Patient Responsibilities
Accurate Information
You agree to:
- Provide accurate, complete medical and psychiatric history
- Update the practice promptly about changes in medications, medical conditions, or contact information
- Disclose all current medications, supplements, and treatments
- Provide accurate insurance information if using insurance coverage
Medication Safety
You agree to:
- Take medications only as prescribed
- Notify Dr. Farkas of any concerning side effects or changes in symptoms
- Attend scheduled follow-up appointments for monitoring
- Not share prescribed medications with others
- Store medications safely and securely
- Report any substance use that may interact with prescribed medications
Attendance and Cancellations
You agree to:
- Attend scheduled appointments or cancel with at least 24 hours notice
- Understand that late cancellations (less than 24 hours) or no-shows may result in a missed appointment fee
- Be present at the scheduled appointment time with camera enabled in a private location
4. Professional Services Agreement
No Guarantees of Outcome
While Dr. Farkas is committed to providing expert, evidence-based psychiatric care, no guarantees can be made regarding treatment outcomes. Psychiatric treatment involves clinical judgment, and individual responses to medications vary. Dr. Farkas will work collaboratively with you to achieve the best possible outcomes while minimizing risks and side effects consistent with her “no harm” philosophy.
Clinical Decision-Making
Treatment recommendations are based on comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, current evidence-based practices, measurement-based care principles, Dr. Farkas’s clinical judgment and expertise, and collaborative discussion of risks, benefits, and alternatives. Final treatment decisions are made collaboratively between Dr. Farkas and the patient, with the patient maintaining the right to accept or decline recommended treatments.
Scope of Relationship
The doctor-patient relationship exists only during scheduled appointments and authorized between-session communications. Dr. Farkas is not available for emergency consultations. In psychiatric emergencies, call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room.
5. Payment and Billing
Insurance
Dr. Farkas is in-network with Aetna and Cigna. For these insurances:
- We will verify benefits prior to your first appointment
- You are responsible for applicable copays, coinsurance, and deductibles
- Payment is due at time of service
Out-of-Network and Self-Pay
For patients with out-of-network benefits or paying privately:
- Payment is due at time of service
- Superbills are provided for insurance reimbursement submission
- Fees are communicated prior to scheduling
- HSA and FSA funds can be used for payment
Missed Appointments
Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice or missed appointments without cancellation may be charged a missed appointment fee. This fee is not covered by insurance and is the patient’s responsibility.
Financial Responsibility
You agree to:
- Pay for services at the time they are rendered
- Maintain current credit card information on file
- Understand that you are ultimately responsible for payment regardless of insurance coverage
- Pay any outstanding balances within 30 days of billing
6. Privacy and Confidentiality
HIPAA Compliance
Dr. Farkas’s practice complies with all applicable privacy laws including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Your protected health information will be kept confidential except as required or permitted by law.
Limits to Confidentiality
Confidentiality may be limited when:
- There is risk of harm to self or others
- There is suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elderly person, or disabled person
- A court order requires disclosure of information
- You provide written authorization for release of information
- Communication with other healthcare providers is necessary for your care (with your consent)
Electronic Communications
Communication via email or patient portal should be limited to administrative matters (scheduling, billing questions). Clinical concerns should be discussed during scheduled appointments or through secure messaging in the patient portal. Email is not secure and should not be used for sensitive medical information.
7. Medical Records
Access to Records
You have the right to access your medical records in accordance with applicable laws. Requests for records should be submitted in writing. There may be fees associated with copying and providing records as permitted by law.
Records Retention
Medical records are maintained in accordance with South Carolina, New York, and Virginia state requirements and professional standards.
8. Termination of Services
Patient-Initiated Termination
You may discontinue services at any time. We recommend discussing your decision with Dr. Farkas to ensure safe medication discontinuation if applicable.
Practice-Initiated Termination
Dr. Farkas reserves the right to terminate the doctor-patient relationship with appropriate notice if:
- The patient is non-compliant with treatment recommendations in ways that compromise safety
- The patient is verbally abusive or threatening to staff
- The patient has unpaid balances and is not making payment arrangements
- The patient’s needs exceed the scope of services provided
- The therapeutic relationship is no longer beneficial
In such cases, Dr. Farkas will provide reasonable notice, continued care for a limited period, and referrals to alternative providers when appropriate.
9. Website Use
Informational Purposes
Website content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or establish a doctor-patient relationship. Do not rely on website information as a substitute for professional medical consultation.
Intellectual Property
All website content, including text, graphics, logos, and images, is the property of Dr. Gabriella Farkas’s practice and protected by copyright law. Content may not be reproduced, distributed, or used without written permission.
Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or terms of service of external sites.
10. Disclaimer of Warranties
Services are provided “as is” without warranties of any kind, express or implied. While Dr. Farkas strives to provide the highest quality care using evidence-based approaches and sophisticated expertise, no specific results can be guaranteed. Psychiatric treatment outcomes vary among individuals based on numerous factors including diagnosis, severity of condition, treatment adherence, and individual biological responses to medications.
11. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Dr. Farkas and her practice shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from or related to services provided or use of the website. Some states do not allow limitation of liability for personal injury or certain damages, so this limitation may not apply to you.
12. Changes to Terms
We reserve the right to modify these Terms of Service at any time. Changes will be posted on our website with the “Last Updated” date. Continued use of services after changes constitutes acceptance of modified terms. We encourage you to review these terms periodically.
13. Governing Law
These Terms of Service are governed by the laws of South Carolina, where Dr. Farkas’s practice is based, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes shall be resolved in the appropriate courts of South Carolina.
14. Severability
If any provision of these Terms of Service is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
15. Contact Information
Questions about these Terms of Service should be directed to:
Dr. Gabriella Farkas, MD, PhD
New York office: 3245 Hunters Point Ave, Long Island City, New York 11101
South Carolina office: 11 Palmetto Bay Rd, Ste 101, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29928
917-267-9678
hello@pearlbh.com
16. Acknowledgment
By using our website or receiving services from Dr. Farkas, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.
Emergency Resources:
If you are in crisis or need immediate help, please call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room. Do not use email or the patient portal for emergency situations.
Dr. Gabriella Farkas provides expert psychiatric medication management for adults and geriatric patients throughout South Carolina, New York, and Virginia via secure telehealth. Her rare MD/PhD credentials in neuroscience, pharmaceutical research background, and “no harm” philosophy ensure sophisticated, evidence-based care for even the most complex psychiatric conditions.