Telehealth Services Policy and Informed Consent

1. What Is Telehealth?

Telehealth is the delivery of health care when the patient and clinician are not physically located in the same place and communicate using electronic technology.

Depending on the service and applicable law, telehealth at Optima Hormone & Longevity may include:

• Live two-way video appointments

• Telephone communication when clinically and legally appropriate

• Secure patient-portal communications

• Review of medical questionnaires

• Review of medical records

• Review and interpretation of laboratory results

• Electronic prescribing when medically appropriate and legally permitted

• Follow-up care and monitoring

• Coordination with pharmacies, laboratories, or other health care providers

The exact method used for your care will depend on your clinical circumstances and applicable legal requirements.

Florida law generally recognizes synchronous and asynchronous telecommunications technology as telehealth and requires providers using telehealth to meet the same prevailing professional standard applicable to in-person care. Florida Senate

2. Services That May Be Provided Through Telehealth

Depending on your individual medical needs, services may include:

• Evaluation of menopause-related concerns

• Evaluation of andropause or low-testosterone concerns

• Assessment of other hormone-related symptoms

• Thyroid-related evaluation when appropriate

• Review of medical history

• Medication and supplement review

• Allergy review

• Review of previous medical records

• Ordering laboratory testing

• Interpretation of laboratory results

• Personalized treatment planning

• Hormone replacement therapy evaluation

• Testosterone therapy evaluation when medically appropriate

• Metabolic and weight-management evaluation

• GLP-1 treatment evaluation when medically appropriate

• Cardiovascular and longevity-risk assessment

• Preventive care

• Evidence-based screening recommendations

• Follow-up visits

• Medication monitoring

• Side-effect monitoring

• Care coordination with laboratories and pharmacies

• Selected virtual sick visits when appropriate

The specific services offered to you will be determined by the clinician.

Not every medical condition or concern is appropriate for telehealth.

3. Telehealth Does Not Guarantee Treatment or Medication

Scheduling, paying for, or completing a telehealth consultation does not guarantee:

• A diagnosis

• A prescription

• Hormone replacement therapy

• Testosterone therapy

• GLP-1 therapy

• Any particular medication

• Any particular laboratory order

• Any specific treatment plan

Clinical decisions are made by the licensed clinician after evaluation.

Additional testing, medical records, specialist consultation, or an in-person examination may be required before treatment is started or continued.

4. Benefits of Telehealth

Possible benefits include:

• Access to medical care without traveling to an office

• Convenient follow-up visits

• Easier review of laboratory results

• Improved continuity of care

• Ability to meet from a private location

• Easier coordination with pharmacies and laboratories

• Continued care with the same clinical team while you remain in an authorized jurisdiction

Telehealth may be convenient, but convenience does not make telehealth appropriate for every medical situation.

5. Risks and Limitations of Telehealth

By choosing telehealth, you understand that remote medical care has limitations.

These may include:

• The clinician cannot perform a complete hands-on physical examination.

• Certain physical findings may not be detectable remotely.

• Diagnosis and treatment depend heavily on the accuracy and completeness of information you provide.

• Relevant medical records or laboratory results may be unavailable.

• Video or audio quality may be inadequate.

• Internet or equipment problems may interrupt the appointment.

• Electronic communications can never be guaranteed to be completely risk-free.

• Certain symptoms may require an in-person examination.

• Certain tests, imaging, or procedures cannot be performed remotely.

• State or federal law may require an in-person evaluation for certain treatments.

• The clinician may determine that telehealth is not medically appropriate.

The clinic's existing consent materials expressly identify these limitations and provide that in-person evaluation may be required before treatment can begin or continue. Copy of Copy of Telehealth_HRT_…

6. Patient Location Is Required

At the beginning of each telehealth visit, you must accurately disclose where you are physically located at that time.

Optima Hormone & Longevity currently provides telehealth care to eligible patients physically located in Florida.

Medical care is considered to occur where the patient is located. A clinician may only provide care when legally authorized to practice in that jurisdiction.

You must not misrepresent your location.

If you are outside a jurisdiction where the clinician is authorized to provide care, the appointment may have to be:

• Cancelled

• Rescheduled

• Limited to non-clinical communication

• Referred to another health care professional

Misrepresenting your location may result in termination of care.

7. Identity Verification

For patient safety, privacy, legal compliance, and prescribing requirements, the Practice may reasonably verify your identity.

Verification may include:

• Government-issued identification

• Date of birth

• Address or demographic information

• Comparison with existing patient records

• Knowledge-based verification

• Other reasonable identity-verification methods

The clinician may decline to proceed if identity cannot be reasonably confirmed.

8. Your Responsibilities as a Telehealth Patient

You agree to provide complete and truthful information regarding:

• Your identity

• Current physical location

• Medical history

• Current symptoms

• Prior diagnoses

• Surgical history

• Prescription medications

• Over-the-counter medications

• Vitamins and supplements

• Allergies

• Family medical history

• Pregnancy or possible pregnancy

• Relevant laboratory results

• Other treating clinicians

• Changes in your health

• Treatment goals

You are responsible for promptly informing the Practice of material changes in your health.

9. Environment During the Visit

For safety, privacy, and quality of care, you should participate from a location that is:

• Private

• Quiet

• Well lit

• Reasonably free from interruptions

• Supported by a stable internet or telephone connection

Do not participate in a telehealth appointment while driving.

If another individual is present with you during the appointment, notify the clinician.

The clinician may ask another person to leave when necessary to protect your privacy.

10. Technology Requirements

You are responsible for having reasonable access to:

• A compatible phone, tablet, or computer

• A functioning camera and microphone when video is required

• Internet or telephone service

• Any necessary login credentials

You should take reasonable steps to protect your device and account, including:

• Using secure passwords

• Keeping credentials private

• Avoiding public computers when possible

• Avoiding unsecured public Wi-Fi when discussing sensitive medical information

• Logging out of patient portals when finished

11. Technical Problems

Technical problems may occur during a telehealth appointment.

Examples include:

• Internet failure

• Video interruption

• Poor audio

• Platform outages

• Device failure

If the connection cannot be restored, the Practice may:

• Attempt to reconnect

• Contact you by telephone

• Use another legally and clinically appropriate method

• Reschedule the appointment

If a technical problem on the Practice's side prevents the appointment from being meaningfully completed, applicable scheduling and fee policies will govern what happens next.

12. Privacy and Confidentiality

Telehealth medical information is treated as confidential medical information and is protected in accordance with applicable privacy laws.

The Practice intends to use appropriate privacy and security safeguards and HIPAA-compliant systems where required.

However, electronic communications cannot be guaranteed to be entirely free from:

• Interception

• Unauthorized access

• Device compromise

• Technical failure

• Other electronic-security risks

You can reduce privacy risks by participating from a private location and using a secure device and connection.

13. Recording Telehealth Visits

Optima Hormone & Longevity does not routinely record telehealth appointments.

If the Practice determines that recording is appropriate for a permitted purpose, separate consent will be obtained before recording.

Patients may not record the audio or video of an appointment without the clinician's prior written permission.

14. Medical Records

Telehealth services will be documented in your medical record according to applicable professional standards.

Florida law requires health services delivered through telehealth to be documented according to the same recordkeeping standard used for in-person services, and such records remain confidential under applicable Florida law. Florida Senate

The record may include:

• Appointment date and time

• Method of communication

• Patient identity

• Patient location

• History obtained

• Clinical assessment

• Laboratory review

• Treatment decisions

• Prescriptions

• Follow-up instructions

• Referrals

• Other clinically relevant information

15. Laboratory Testing and Monitoring

Certain services may require laboratory testing before treatment is started or continued.

You agree to complete laboratory testing and follow-up according to the schedule established by your clinician.

Treatment may be:

• Delayed

• Modified

• Paused

• Discontinued

if appropriate monitoring is not completed or if results indicate that continuing treatment may be unsafe.

Laboratory companies may bill separately from Optima Hormone & Longevity.

16. Prescription Medications

A telehealth visit does not guarantee that medication will be prescribed.

If medication is prescribed:

• Use it only as directed.

• Do not alter the dosage without medical guidance.

• Do not share medication with another person.

• Inform the Practice of side effects or significant health changes.

• Follow laboratory and monitoring requirements.

• Store medication safely.

The Practice may decline, modify, or discontinue prescribing when clinically or legally appropriate.

17. Controlled Substances and Testosterone

Certain medications used in hormone treatment, including testosterone, are controlled substances and are subject to additional federal and state requirements.

Prescribing may depend on:

• Medical necessity

• Appropriate evaluation

• Laboratory findings

• DEA requirements

• Florida law

• Prescription monitoring requirements

• Telemedicine prescribing rules

• In-person examination requirements, when applicable

• Practice prescribing policies

Current federal DEA telemedicine flexibilities for prescribing Schedule II–V controlled medications without a prior in-person examination have been extended through December 31, 2026, provided the practitioner complies with applicable DEA requirements and federal and state law. DEA

That federal flexibility does not create an entitlement to medication, override Florida law, or prevent the clinician from requiring an in-person examination.

Florida also places specific restrictions on prescribing Schedule II controlled substances through telehealth. Florida Senate

Because these laws and regulations can change, the Practice will follow the requirements in effect at the time of prescribing.

18. Prescription Drug Monitoring

When required by law or Practice policy, the clinician may review applicable prescription drug monitoring information before prescribing or continuing a controlled substance.

A prescription may be declined if prescribing would be inconsistent with:

• Law

• Professional standards

• Patient safety

• The clinician's medical judgment

• Practice policy

19. Pharmacy Coordination

If medication is prescribed, prescriptions may be sent electronically to a licensed pharmacy.

Pharmacies operate independently and may have their own:

• Prices

• Processing times

• Availability

• Dispensing requirements

• Policies

• Shipping practices

Optima Hormone & Longevity does not guarantee pharmacy availability or medication inventory.

20. In-Person Care May Be Required

The clinician may determine at any time that telehealth is insufficient.

Examples may include situations requiring:

• Physical examination

• Imaging

• Urgent laboratory evaluation

• Diagnostic procedures

• Specialist evaluation

• Emergency treatment

• A legally required in-person examination

If telehealth is not appropriate, you may be instructed to seek:

• Primary care

• Urgent care

• Emergency care

• Specialist care

• An in-person examination

Refusing necessary in-person evaluation may limit the Practice's ability to continue treatment.

21. Emergencies

Telehealth services provided by Optima Hormone & Longevity are not emergency services.

Do not use:

• The website

• Contact form

• General email

• Patient portal

• Routine messaging

• Scheduled telehealth appointments

for medical emergencies.

If you experience:

• Chest pain

• Severe difficulty breathing

• Stroke symptoms

• Heavy bleeding

• Severe allergic reaction

• Severe neurological symptoms

• Loss of consciousness

• Thoughts of harming yourself or another person

• Any other potentially life-threatening condition

call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

22. Urgent but Non-Emergency Problems

If you have an urgent medical concern that is not an emergency and cannot wait for the Practice's normal response process, seek timely care through:

• Your primary care clinician

• Local urgent care

• Another appropriate local clinician

Routine messages should not be relied upon for urgent treatment.

23. Other Health Care Providers

Optima Hormone & Longevity's telehealth services do not automatically replace:

• Your primary care physician

• Gynecologist

• Cardiologist

• Endocrinologist

• Urologist

• Oncologist

• Other specialists

You should continue medically appropriate care with other clinicians.

You agree to inform the Practice about important recommendations and medications provided by other health professionals.

24. Pregnancy and Significant Health Changes

Notify the Practice promptly if you:

• Become pregnant

• Believe you may be pregnant

• Plan pregnancy

• Receive a new diagnosis

• Are hospitalized

• Undergo or plan surgery

• Experience significant medication side effects

• Start or stop significant medications

• Receive materially different recommendations from another clinician

These changes may affect whether treatment can safely continue.

25. Consent to Telehealth

By providing telehealth consent and participating in a telehealth appointment, you acknowledge that:

• You understand what telehealth is.

• You have been informed of reasonable benefits, risks, alternatives, and limitations.

• You understand telehealth may not be appropriate for every condition.

• You understand an in-person examination may be required.

• You consent to electronic transmission of health information as reasonably necessary for treatment.

• You understand treatment decisions remain within the clinician's medical judgment.

• You understand prescriptions are not guaranteed.

• You understand telehealth is not for emergencies.

• You agree to truthfully disclose your physical location.

The Practice's existing policy packet requires a signed acknowledgment before the first telehealth visit. Copy of Copy of Telehealth_HRT_…

26. Electronic Transmission of Health Information

By consenting to telehealth, you authorize appropriate electronic transmission of health information among persons or entities involved in your care, which may include:

• Optima Hormone & Longevity

• Dr. Alberto Concepcion

• Authorized Practice personnel

• Business associates

• Laboratories

• Pharmacies

• Other clinicians

• Health care technology providers

Such sharing will be limited by applicable privacy law and the Practice's Notice of Privacy Practices.

27. Right to Withdraw Telehealth Consent

You may withdraw your consent to telehealth in writing, subject to applicable law.

Withdrawal does not invalidate care already provided.

If you withdraw consent, the Practice will discuss available alternatives.

Because the Practice operates primarily through telehealth, withdrawal may mean that the Practice can no longer:

• Provide certain services

• Monitor your treatment

• Continue prescribing

• Manage medications

and referral to another clinician may be necessary.

28. Adults

Optima Hormone & Longevity's current services are intended for adult patients age 18 and older.

The Practice does not intend this website policy to establish a pediatric or minor-care program.

Any future care involving minors would require separate review of applicable legal requirements and Practice policies.

29. Scheduling and Time Zone

Telehealth appointments are scheduled according to the Practice's scheduling system.

Unless otherwise stated, Practice scheduling is based on Eastern Time.

Patients are responsible for:

• Confirming appointment time

• Accounting for time-zone differences

• Joining promptly

• Maintaining accurate contact information

Separate cancellation, late-arrival, no-show, and refund rules are addressed in the Cancellation & Refund Policy.

30. Routine Communications

Routine patient communications should use the communication method designated by the Practice.

The clinic's policy packet states that routine portal messages are intended for non-urgent issues and are typically reviewed between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM Eastern Time, with no guaranteed after-hours response. Copy of Copy of Telehealth_HRT_…

This is separate from the general office hours currently listed on the website as 9:00 AM–4:00 PM.

That distinction is worth preserving:

Office Hours: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Routine Portal Review: typically 9:00 AM–3:00 PM ET

31. Professional Standard of Care

Telehealth does not reduce the clinician's professional responsibilities.

Florida law requires telehealth providers to practice within their legal scope and in a manner consistent with the prevailing professional standard applicable to in-person care. Florida Senate

The clinician will use professional judgment to determine whether:

• Telehealth is appropriate

• The available information is sufficient

• Additional testing is necessary

• In-person evaluation is necessary

• Treatment should begin, continue, change, or stop

32. Changes in Telehealth Laws

Telehealth, prescribing, controlled-substance, licensure, and privacy laws may change.

Optima Hormone & Longevity may modify its telehealth processes or eligibility requirements when necessary to comply with:

• Federal law

• Florida law

• DEA requirements

• Professional licensing requirements

• Pharmacy rules

• Changes in telemedicine regulations

• Clinical standards

The most restrictive applicable legal or clinical requirement will control when necessary.

33. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Telehealth Policy periodically.

Changes may reflect:

• New laws or regulations

• Changes to Practice services

• Changes to technology

• Changes to prescribing requirements

• Changes to clinical protocols

• Privacy or security requirements

The current version will be posted on the website with the applicable Last Updated date.

34. Contact

Questions about this Telehealth Policy may be directed to:

Optima Hormone & Longevity
Alberto R. Concepcion, M.D.

Phone: 786-322-6141
Email: admin@optimatelehealthclinic.com

For individual medical questions, use the secure patient communication method designated by the Practice.

For emergencies, call 911.