Telehealth Informed Consent

Telehealth means delivering clinical evaluation and follow-up by phone or video, and exchanging clinical information through secure messaging, instead of in-person visits. Elia uses telehealth to deliver evaluation, written pattern interpretation, and follow-up where it’s clinically appropriate.

Telehealth has clinical limits. A clinician cannot perform a physical examination through a screen, cannot administer in-person diagnostic procedures, and may not be able to fully evaluate symptoms that require palpation, imaging, or in-person testing. If a clinician determines that your situation requires in-person care, they will refer you out and there is no charge for the visit.

As with any technology service, there is a small risk of technical failure or delay. We use enterprise-grade encryption, but no system is perfectly secure.

Telehealth is not for emergencies. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. If you are having thoughts of self-harm, call 988 (U.S. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). Specific clinical red flags that require immediate in-person evaluation are listed on our Trust & safety page.

Telehealth care is delivered by clinicians licensed in the state where you are physically located at the time of the visit. If you are outside a state where Elia’s clinicians are currently licensed, we cannot deliver clinical care to you. The current list of licensed states is published on our Trust & safety page and may be updated as new states are added.

You have the right to: refuse or stop telehealth services at any time; request that an in-person visit be arranged where clinically appropriate; receive a copy of your clinical record; and have your information protected as described in our Privacy Policy. Stopping telehealth care will not affect your right to receive care from other providers.

Visits are not recorded by default. Clinical notes are documented in your medical record per state and federal medical-records law. You can request a copy at any time.

Before your first clinician visit, you will be asked to acknowledge that you have read and understand this consent. Acknowledgment is required to receive clinical services on Elia.

If you have questions about this consent, contact care@elia.health.