Telehealth Informed Consent

01What Is Telehealth?

Telehealth (also called telemedicine) is the delivery of health care services using information and communication technologies when the patient and the health care provider are not in the same physical location. At Optimized Health, telehealth services are conducted via live, two-way audio and video communication between you and your clinician.

Our telehealth services allow you to receive consultations, follow-up care, treatment plan management, and clinical evaluations from the convenience of your home or another private location. Telehealth is offered as a complement to in-person care, not as a replacement for all medical services.

02Services Provided via Telehealth

Optimized Health offers the following services via telehealth to eligible patients:

• Medical weight loss consultations, follow-ups, and medication management
• Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) consultations and ongoing management
• Women’s hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) consultations and ongoing management
• Peptide therapy consultations and protocol management
• General health assessments and follow-up visits
• Lab result reviews and treatment plan adjustments

Some services require in-person evaluation and cannot be provided entirely via telehealth. Your clinician will determine whether telehealth is appropriate for your specific medical needs and will advise you if an in-person visit is necessary.

03Technology Requirements

To participate in a telehealth visit, you will need:

• A device with a camera and microphone (smartphone, tablet, or computer)
• A reliable internet connection capable of supporting video conferencing
• A private, quiet location where you feel comfortable discussing your health information
• Access to your patient portal (Optimantra) for scheduling, documentation, and secure messaging

You are responsible for ensuring your technology is functioning properly before your appointment. If technical difficulties occur during your visit, your clinician will attempt to reconnect or may contact you by phone to complete the visit. If the visit cannot be completed, it will be rescheduled at no additional charge.

04Benefits of Telehealth

Telehealth may offer the following benefits:

• Convenient access to your clinician without travel, particularly for patients in rural areas or at a distance from our Joplin, Missouri office
• Reduced time away from work, family, and daily responsibilities
• Timely follow-up care and medication adjustments between in-person visits
• Access to your care team from any of our licensed telehealth states (Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Utah, and Washington)
• Continued care during situations that may make in-person visits difficult

05Risks and Limitations

As with any form of health care delivery, telehealth has potential risks and limitations, including:

• Technology limitations may affect the quality of the audio or video connection, which could impact your clinician’s ability to fully evaluate your condition
• Telehealth is not appropriate for all medical conditions. Some situations require hands-on physical examination, in-person lab draws, or diagnostic testing that cannot be performed remotely
• Despite reasonable security measures, electronic communication carries a risk of data interception or breach. We use HIPAA-compliant technology to minimize this risk, but cannot guarantee absolute security
• Delays in evaluation or treatment may occur due to technology failures or connectivity issues
• Your clinician may determine that a telehealth visit is not sufficient to address your medical needs and may require an in-person visit

06Your Rights During Telehealth Visits

As a telehealth patient, you have the right to:

• Receive the same quality of care via telehealth as you would receive in person
• Know the identity, credentials, and location of your clinician before and during the visit
• Refuse to participate in telehealth at any time. Your refusal will not affect your right to receive future care or treatment, either in person or via telehealth
• Request that your telehealth visit be stopped at any time
• Have your health information kept confidential to the same extent as an in-person visit, subject to the limitations described in our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
• Receive a copy of your medical records in accordance with applicable law
• Ask questions about the telehealth process, technology, or any aspect of your care at any time

07Privacy and Confidentiality

Your telehealth visit is subject to the same privacy protections as an in-person visit. We use HIPAA-compliant technology for all telehealth encounters. Your health information is stored securely in our electronic health record system (Optimantra) and protected in accordance with our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices and Privacy Policy.

To protect your privacy during a telehealth visit:

• Choose a private, enclosed space where others cannot overhear your conversation
• Use a personal device rather than a shared or public computer when possible
• Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks during your visit
• Do not record your telehealth visit without the explicit consent of your clinician

We will not record your telehealth visit without your consent, except as may be required by law or for purposes you have authorized.

08Emergency Protocols

Telehealth is not intended for medical emergencies. If you experience a medical emergency during or after a telehealth visit:

• Call 911 immediately
• Go to your nearest emergency room
• After the emergency is addressed, contact our office at (417) 707-1150 to inform us of the situation

At the beginning of each telehealth visit, your clinician may confirm your physical location so that emergency services can be directed to you if needed. Please provide your accurate physical address when asked.

09Prescribing via Telehealth

Optimized Health clinicians may prescribe medications as part of your treatment plan during a telehealth visit, provided that:

• An appropriate clinician-patient relationship has been established through a telehealth or in-person visit that includes a medical interview and review of your relevant medical history
• The prescribing clinician has performed an evaluation sufficient for the diagnosis and treatment of your condition
• The prescription is consistent with applicable federal and state laws governing the prescribing of medications via telehealth

In accordance with Missouri law (RSMo §191.1146), a questionnaire completed via the internet or telephone alone does not constitute an adequate medical interview and examination for the provision of treatment. Prescriptions for controlled substances via telehealth are subject to additional federal (DEA) and state requirements.

Medications may be shipped directly to your home or sent to a pharmacy of your choice, depending on the treatment and medication type.

10State-Specific Disclosures

Optimized Health is licensed to provide telehealth services to patients located in the following states. Each state may have specific requirements that apply to your telehealth visit:

If you are located in a state not listed above, we are unable to provide telehealth services to you at this time. All patients must be physically located in one of our licensed states at the time of their telehealth visit.

11Consent and Acknowledgment

By scheduling and participating in a telehealth visit with Optimized Health, you acknowledge that:

This consent remains in effect for all future telehealth visits with Optimized Health unless you revoke it in writing.

12Contact Information

If you have questions about telehealth services or this informed consent, please contact us:

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