Telehealth Informed Consent

What telehealth is

Telehealth (or telemedicine) is the delivery of healthcare using secure video, phone, and messaging instead of an in-person visit. Cabana connects you with independent, licensed healthcare providers via telehealth. A provider will evaluate your information, which may include lab work and a video consultation, and will prescribe treatment only if it is medically appropriate for you. Completing an intake or purchasing a membership does not guarantee a prescription.

How your consultation works

• You complete a medical intake and share your history and current medications.
• Your provider may require lab testing before making any treatment decision.
• You meet with a licensed provider by video or secure messaging, as appropriate for your care.
• If treatment is appropriate, your provider issues a plan and, where indicated, a prescription filled by a licensed pharmacy. If it isn’t appropriate, your provider will tell you and discuss alternatives.

Controlled substances, including testosterone

Testosterone is a Schedule III controlled substance, so its path is more structured than other treatments, by law and by good practice:

• Labs first. Your provider will generally require objective lab confirmation before considering a prescription, including confirmatory morning testosterone measurements and safety labs such as hematocrit and, when age- or risk-appropriate, PSA.
• A real-time video visit is required. Controlled-substance prescriptions require a synchronous, audio-video visit with a licensed provider. An audio-only call or an async questionnaire alone is not sufficient for testosterone.
• Ongoing monitoring. Continued treatment depends on follow-up visits and periodic retesting to keep care safe and clinically appropriate.
• Your location governs. Care is subject to the laws of the state where you are physically located, which may be stricter than federal rules and may, in some cases, require an in-person step. Current federal telemedicine flexibilities that allow controlled substances to be prescribed without a prior in-person exam are time-limited and subject to change; if the rules change, your care pathway may change with them. [Monitor DEA telemedicine status with counsel.]

Benefits of telehealth

Telehealth can make care more convenient, private, and accessible, letting you connect with a licensed provider without travel, and coordinating labs, shipping, and follow-up in one place.

Risks and limitations

• Your provider cannot physically examine you, which in some situations may affect diagnosis or treatment and may make in-person care necessary.
• Technology can fail, connections may drop or images may be unclear, which can delay or interrupt care.
• As with any transmission of health information, there are privacy and security risks despite the safeguards we use.
• Rarely, a treatment or follow-up may not be suitable for telehealth, and you may be referred for in-person evaluation.

Your responsibilities

• Provide accurate, complete, and current information, including your full medication list and medical history.
• Follow your provider’s instructions, complete recommended labs, and attend follow-up visits.
• For any medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room, do not use telehealth for emergencies.

Privacy and records

Information created during your care is protected health information handled under HIPAA and applicable state law. See our Notice of Privacy Practices and Privacy Policy for details.

Alternatives

You may choose in-person care instead of telehealth at any time. Consenting to telehealth is voluntary.

Withdrawing consent

Your consent to telehealth is voluntary, and you may withhold or withdraw it at any time without affecting your right to future care or the care you have already received. Withdrawing consent may mean certain services can no longer be provided via telehealth.

State availability

Telehealth services are subject to the laws of the state in which you are located and may not be available in all states. We confirm availability during intake based on where you are located.