Telehealth Medical Consent
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I. Introduction
You are reviewing this Telehealth Medical Consent because you are seeking healthcare services through telehealth technologies made available through the Guppy Meds website, mobile applications, and related digital tools (collectively, the “Guppy Meds Platform”).
This Telehealth Medical Consent supplements, and does not replace, Guppy Meds’ Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, Notice of Privacy Practices, or any other applicable provider agreements.
By creating an account, beginning a consultation, clicking to accept telehealth services, checking an acceptance box, or otherwise indicating your agreement through the Guppy Meds Platform, you acknowledge that you have reviewed and understood the risks, benefits, and limitations of telehealth services and consent to receiving healthcare services by telehealth where appropriate.
A record of this Telehealth Medical Consent may be maintained by the provider or medical group delivering your care. Your continued participation in services through telehealth also serves as your ongoing acknowledgment of and agreement to this consent.
For purposes of this consent, “Providers” means the licensed physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other qualified healthcare professionals who may provide services to you through the Guppy Meds Platform.
II. What Is Telehealth?
Telehealth is the delivery of healthcare services using electronic communications, information technology, or other remote means between a healthcare provider in one location and a patient in another location.
Telehealth may include:
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diagnosis;
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treatment;
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follow-up care;
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patient education;
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medication management;
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asynchronous communications;
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synchronous video or audio visits; and
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other technology-supported clinical interactions.
This Telehealth Medical Consent explains the treatment methods, risks, limitations, and other important information regarding your use of telehealth services.
III. Possible Benefits of Telehealth
Possible benefits of telehealth include:
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improved access to healthcare services;
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greater convenience;
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reduced travel time;
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faster follow-up care;
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increased continuity of care; and
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the ability to communicate with licensed healthcare providers remotely.
Telehealth may allow you to receive services at times and in ways that are more convenient than traditional in-person visits.
IV. Possible Risks of Telehealth
Telehealth also has limitations and risks. These may include:
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the information transmitted may not be sufficient for appropriate diagnosis or treatment;
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certain medical conditions may not be appropriate for telehealth and may require in-person care;
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delays may occur because of equipment failures, connectivity issues, or technical problems;
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incomplete access to your medical history or records could affect clinical decision-making;
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there is an increased privacy risk associated with electronic communications;
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laboratory or diagnostic testing errors may affect diagnosis or treatment decisions; and
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telehealth may not be as complete as an in-person examination.
You may stop or decline ongoing telehealth services at any time. However, fees may still apply for services already rendered, and the provider or medical group may have no ongoing obligation to continue care if telehealth services are discontinued.
Diagnostic Testing and Third-Party Services
Some healthcare services may require diagnostic testing, including laboratory testing or other third-party services. These services may be provided by independent third parties. Neither Guppy Meds nor your provider can guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of third-party laboratory products or services.
Diagnostic tests may produce false positive, false negative, delayed, incomplete, or inconclusive results, which may affect a provider’s ability to diagnose or treat your condition appropriately.
V. Patient Acknowledgments
By accepting this Telehealth Medical Consent, you acknowledge and agree to the following:
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You have carefully reviewed this Telehealth Medical Consent and understand the risks, limitations, and potential benefits of telehealth services.
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You understand that telehealth involves electronic communications and that this may increase privacy and security risks compared with some in-person care settings.
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You understand that your provider may be a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or other licensed healthcare professional, depending on the services offered and permitted under applicable law.
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You understand that other individuals may be present during a telehealth encounter to operate technology, assist with care delivery, or provide language interpretation, if needed. You will be informed if another person is present and of that person’s role.
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You agree that information you provide through the Guppy Meds Platform is accurate, complete, and truthful to the best of your knowledge.
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You understand that some healthcare services may be provided asynchronously, including through store-and-forward technology, messaging, questionnaires, uploaded records, or other electronic review methods, where permitted by law and deemed clinically appropriate by your provider.
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You understand that there is no guarantee you will receive a prescription, and any decision to prescribe medication will be based solely on the professional judgment of your provider.
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You understand that telehealth may not be appropriate for every condition or every patient, and your provider may determine that in-person care, additional evaluation, or a different level of care is necessary.
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You understand that technical failures may occur and may delay or disrupt services. These issues may be outside the control of Guppy Meds or your provider.
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You understand that diagnostic testing services and third-party laboratory services may have limitations or defects that could affect the quality, timing, accuracy, or effectiveness of your care.
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You understand that Guppy Meds makes available only certain services, and you may need to seek other healthcare resources for conditions or concerns outside the scope of services offered through the platform.
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You understand that your provider may decline to provide care or treatment if, in the provider’s professional judgment, the requested services are not medically appropriate, ethically appropriate, or suitable for delivery through telehealth.
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You understand that providers are independently responsible for the medical care they render, including diagnosis, treatment decisions, and prescribing decisions, in accordance with applicable law and their professional judgment.
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You understand that communications through the Guppy Meds Platform may not always be reviewed in real time, and that delays may occur before messages, forms, or clinical information are reviewed.
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You agree to regularly check the Guppy Meds Platform and your designated communication channels for messages, instructions, treatment updates, and other important information relating to your care.
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You understand that you have the opportunity to discuss telehealth with your provider, including the benefits, risks, and alternatives, and that you may withdraw your consent to telehealth at any time, subject to any services already rendered and subject to the fact that providers offering care through the platform may not provide in-person services.
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You understand that you may have access to your medical records related to healthcare services provided through the Guppy Meds Platform, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
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You understand that although the Guppy Meds Platform may facilitate access to pharmacies, laboratories, or related services, you may request the pharmacy or laboratory of your choice where permitted and clinically appropriate.
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You understand that no specific result or outcome is guaranteed from any telehealth service, treatment plan, medication, or provider recommendation.
VI. Additional State-Specific Disclosures
The following notices apply where required by state law for users participating in telehealth services through the Guppy Meds Platform.
Iowa
If you wish to file a formal complaint regarding a provider, you may visit the Iowa medical board’s complaint page.
Kentucky
If you wish to file a formal complaint regarding a provider, you may visit the Kentucky medical board’s complaint page.
Maine
If you wish to file a formal complaint regarding a provider, you may visit the Maine medical board’s complaint page.
New York
For information regarding your rights and how to report professional misconduct, you may visit the New York State health professional misconduct resources page.
Oregon
If you wish to file a formal complaint regarding a provider, you may visit the Oregon medical board’s complaint page.
Rhode Island
If you wish to file a formal complaint regarding a provider, you may visit the Rhode Island health department complaint page.
Texas
Complaints about physicians and certain other licensees may be reported to the Texas Medical Board in accordance with Texas law.
Vermont
If you wish to file a formal complaint regarding a provider, you may visit the Vermont Board of Medical Practice or the Vermont Board of Osteopathic Examiners complaint resources.
Wyoming
If you wish to file a formal complaint regarding a provider, you may visit the Wyoming medical board complaint page.
VII. Consent to Telehealth Services
By accepting this Telehealth Medical Consent, you confirm that:
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you have read and understood this document;
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you have had the opportunity to ask questions;
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you understand the risks, benefits, and alternatives to telehealth;
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you consent to receive healthcare services by telehealth where deemed appropriate by your provider; and
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you understand that you may withdraw this consent at any time, subject to applicable legal, medical, and billing considerations.