Quality Dermatology Group (DE), P.A. - Telehealth Informed Consent

Telehealth involves the use of secure electronic communications, information technology, or other means to enable a healthcare provider and a patient at different locations to communicate and share individual patient health information for the purpose of rendering clinical care. This “Telehealth Informed Consent” informs the patient (“patient,” “you,” or “your”) concerning the treatment methods, risks, and limitations of using a telehealth platform.

Services Provided:

Telehealth services offered by Quality Dermatology Group (DE), P.A. (“Group”), and the Group’s engaged providers (our “Providers” or your “Provider”) may include a patient consultation, diagnosis, treatment recommendation, prescription, and/or a referral to in-person care, as determined clinically appropriate (the “Services”).

DermSnap LLC does not provide the Services; it performs administrative, payment, and other supportive activities for Group and our Providers.

Electronic Transmissions:

The types of electronic transmissions that may occur using the telehealth platform include, but are not limited to:

• Appointment scheduling, reminders, and notice of available benefits;
• Completion, exchange, and review of medical intake forms and other clinically relevant information (for example: health records; images; output data from medical devices; sound and video files; diagnostic and/or lab test results) between you and your Provider via:
• asynchronous communications in combination with store-and-forward technology;
• Treatment recommendations by your Provider based upon such review and exchange of clinical information;
• Delivery of a consultation report with a diagnosis, treatment and/or prescription recommendations, as deemed clinically relevant;
• Prescription refill reminders (if applicable); and/or
• Other electronic transmissions for the purpose of rendering clinical care to you.

Expected Benefits:

• Improved access to care by enabling you to remain in your preferred location while your Provider consults with you. Our telehealth services are available 24/7/365 although response times may vary.
• Convenient access to follow-up care. If you need to receive non-emergent follow-up care related to your treatment, please contact your Provider by calling, texting or emailing, replying to text messages, logging into your patient portal and sending and receiving messages.
• More efficient care evaluation and management. Please note that service response times may vary based on committed purchase service level standards which are set at checkout.

Service Limitations:

• The primary difference between telehealth and direct in-person service delivery is the inability to have direct, physical contact with the patient. Accordingly, some clinical needs may not be appropriate for a telehealth visit and your Provider will make that determination.
• OUR PROVIDERS DO NOT ADDRESS MEDICAL EMERGENCIES. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, YOU SHOULD DIAL 9-1-1 AND/OR GO TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CONTACT DERMSNAP, LLC, GROUP, OR YOUR PROVIDER. AFTER RECEIVING EMERGENCY HEALTHCARE TREATMENT, YOU SHOULD VISIT YOUR LOCAL PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER.
• Our Providers are an addition to, and not a replacement for, your local primary care provider. Responsibility for your overall medical care should remain with your local primary care provider, if you have one, and we strongly encourage you to locate one if you do not.
• Group does not have any in-person clinic locations.

Security Measures:

The electronic communication systems we use will incorporate network and software security protocols to protect the confidentiality of patient identification and imaging data and will include measures to safeguard the data and to ensure its integrity against intentional or unintentional corruption. All the Services delivered to the patient through telehealth will be delivered over a secure connection that complies with the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”).

Possible Risks:

• Delays in evaluation and treatment could occur due to deficiencies or failures of the equipment and technologies, or provider availability.
• In the event of an inability to communicate as a result of a technological or equipment failure, please contact the Group at 1-253-260-6507 and support@dappledoc.com.
• In rare events, your Provider may determine that the transmitted information is of inadequate quality, thus necessitating a rescheduled telehealth consult or an in-person meeting with your local primary care doctor.
• In very rare events, security protocols could fail, causing a breach of privacy of personal medical information.

Patient Acknowledgments:

I further acknowledge and understand the following:

1. Prior to the telehealth visit, I have been given an opportunity to select a provider as appropriate, including a review of the provider’s credentials, or I have elected to visit with the next available provider from Group, and have been given my Provider’s credentials.
2. If I am experiencing a medical emergency, I will be directed to dial 9-1-1 immediately and my Provider is not able to connect me directly to any local emergency services.
3. I may elect to seek services from a medical group with in-person clinics as an alternative to receiving telehealth services.
4. I have the right to withhold or withdraw my consent to the use of telehealth in the course of my care at any time without affecting my right to future care or treatment by emailing Group at support@dappledoc.com. Otherwise, this Telehealth Informed Consent will considered renewed upon each new telehealth consultation with a Provider.
5. I understand that my information, including my identifiable health information, will be collected, used, shared, and protected as described in the Privacy Policy and Notice of Privacy Practices.
6. Federal and state law requires health care providers to protect the privacy and the security of health information. I am entitled to all confidentiality protections under applicable federal and state laws. I understand all medical reports resulting from the telehealth visit are part of my medical record.
7. Group will take steps to make sure that my health information is not seen by anyone who should not see it. Telehealth may involve electronic communication of my personal health information to other health practitioners who may be located in other areas, including out of state. I consent to Group using and disclosing my health information in accordance with the terms of the Privacy Policy and Notice of Privacy Practices or for purposes of my treatment and care coordination, to receive reimbursement for the services provided to me, and for Group’s health care operations.
8. Dissemination of any patient-identifiable images or information from the telehealth visit to researchers or other educational entities will not occur without my consent unless authorized by state or federal law.
9. There is a risk of technical failures during the telehealth visit beyond the control of Group.
10. Persons may be present during the telehealth visit other than my Provider who will be participating in, observing, or listening to my consultation with my Provider (e.g., in order to operate the telehealth technologies). If another person is present during the telehealth visit, I will be informed of the individual’s presence and his/her role.
11. My Provider will explain my diagnosis and its evidentiary basis, and the risks and benefits of various treatment options.
12. I have the right to request a copy of my medical records. I can request to obtain or send a copy of my medical records to my primary care or other designated health care provider by contacting Group at: privacy@dappledoc.com. A copy will be provided to me at reasonable cost of preparation, shipping and delivery.
13. It is necessary to provide my Provider a complete, accurate, and current medical history. I understand that I can log into my “Portal” www.dappledoc.com at any time to access, amend, or review my health information.
14. There is no guarantee that I will be issued a prescription and that the decision of whether a prescription is appropriate will be made in the professional judgment of my Provider. If my Provider issues a prescription, I have the right to select the pharmacy of my choice.
15. There is no guarantee that I will be treated by a Group provider. My Provider reserves the right to deny care for potential misuse of the Services or for any other reason if, in the professional judgment of my Provider, the provision of the Services is not medically or ethically appropriate.
16. You are free to obtain your medical examination from another healthcare provider that is not associated with Group. Group will use it’s pharmacy partners to fulfill your order directly to your door. You are free to obtain your prescription from any pharmacy of your choice by contacting our support team. Prescriptions may be filled by and transferred between any pharmacy partners on your behalf. You must pay the full amount of the costs associated with the use of the Service, including any prescription you may receive, and you will not attempt to submit a claim o Medicare, any federal payor, or any state or private insurer.

Additional State-Specific Consents: The following consents apply to patients accessing Group’s website for the purposes of participating in a telehealth consultation as required by the states listed below:

Alaska: I have been informed that if I want to register a formal complaint about a provider, I should visit the medical board’s website, here.

California: Physicians and midwifes are regulated by the Medical Board of California. To confirm a license or file a complaint, go here or call (800) 633-2322.

Iowa: I have been informed that if I want to register a formal complaint about a provider, I should visit the medical board’s website, here.

Idaho: I have been informed that if I want to register a formal complaint about a provider, I should visit the medical board’s website, here.

Indiana: I have been informed that if I want to register a formal complaint about a provider, I should visit the medical board’s website, here.

Kentucky: I have been informed that if I want to register a formal complaint about a provider, I should visit the medical board’s website, here.

Maine: I have been informed that if I want to register a formal complaint about a provider, I should visit the medical board’s website, here; Or, the Maine Board of Osteopathic Licensure’s website, here.

Oklahoma: I have been informed that if I want to register a formal complaint about a provider, I should visit the medical board’s website, here; Or, the Oklahoma Board of Osteopathic Examiners’ website, here.

Rhode Island: I have been informed that if I want to register a formal complaint about a provider, I should visit the medical board’s website, here.

Texas: I have been informed of the following notice:

NOTICE CONCERNING COMPLAINTS -Complaints about physicians, as well as other licensees and registrants of the Texas Medical Board, including physician assistants, acupuncturists, and surgical assistants may be reported for investigation at the following address: Texas Medical Board, Attention: Investigations, 333 Guadalupe, Tower 3, Suite 610, P.O. Box 2018, MC-263, Austin, Texas 78768-2018, Assistance in filing a complaint is available by calling the following telephone number: 1-800-201-9353, For more information, please visit our website at www.tmb.state.tx.us.

AVISO SOBRE LAS QUEJAS- Las quejas sobre médicos, asi como sobre otros profesionales acreditados e inscritos del Consejo Médico de Tejas, incluyendo asistentes de médicos, practicantes de acupuntura y asistentes de cirugia, se pueden presentar en la siguiente dirección para ser investigadas: Texas Medical Board, Attention: Investigations, 333 Guadalupe, Tower 3, Suite 610, P.O. Box 2018, MC-263, Austin, Texas 78768-2018, Si necesita ayuda para presentar una queja, llame al: 1-800-201-9353, Para obtener más información, visite nuestro sitio web en www.tmb.state.tx.us  

Vermont: I have been informed that if I want to register a formal complaint about a provider, I should visit the medical board’s website, here; Or, the Vermont Board of Osteopathic Examiners’ website, here