Telehealth Informed Consent

"Telehealth" means the delivery of health care, including diagnosis, consultation, and treatment, using interactive audio, video, or other electronic communication. At BraveWorms Medical, P.C., telehealth visits occur over secure two-way video. We may also use secure messaging between visits for follow-up questions.

• Evaluation and treatment of suspected or known parasitic infection.
• Ordering of labs, imaging, and prescriptions when clinically indicated.
• Follow-up care and coordination.
• Services are available only to patients who are physically located in California at the time of the visit.

• Access to a clinician with focused training in parasitology without traveling to a clinic.
• Convenience and reduced exposure to other illnesses in waiting rooms.
• Continuity of care through secure messaging and follow-up visits.

• Technology failures may interrupt or delay a visit.
• A remote examination cannot fully replace a hands-on physical exam; some conditions may require in-person evaluation.
• Although we use secure systems, no electronic transmission is completely free of risk of interception.
• Lab and imaging results depend on the performance of the third-party facility you visit.
• If a clinician determines that your condition requires in-person care, urgent evaluation, or care outside the scope of this practice, you will be referred accordingly.

You may choose in-person care from a primary-care clinician, an infectious-disease specialist, or an emergency department instead of, or in addition to, telehealth with us.

• The same confidentiality protections apply to telehealth as to in-person care under HIPAA, CMIA, and California law.
• You have the right to withhold or withdraw consent at any time without affecting your right to future care or other services.
• You have the right to know the identity and credentials of the clinicians involved in your care. The treating clinician will identify themselves at the start of each visit.
• You have the right to access your medical records as described in our Notice of Privacy Practices.

We do not record video visits. We do not permit patients or third parties to record visits. Clinical notes are written into the medical record by the clinician.

Telehealth is not for emergencies. If you may be experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. At the start of each visit, the clinician will confirm your physical location and a local emergency contact in case of an urgent issue during the visit.

Out-of-state travel

If you leave California, the clinicians of BraveWorms Medical, P.C. may be unable to provide care under their license until you return. Plan accordingly for medications and follow-up.

By proceeding with a telehealth visit, you acknowledge that:

• You have read and understood this notice or have had it explained to you.
• You have had the opportunity to ask questions, and your questions have been answered.
• You consent to the use of telehealth in your care, including the use of secure two-way video, secure messaging, and electronic transmission of orders and records.
• Consent is documented in your medical record at the start of your first visit and may be reaffirmed verbally at later visits.

You may withdraw this consent at any time by writing to privacy@braveworms.com.