This policy explains general expectations for telehealth services and communication with Kristen Lee, MD, Inc. Additional details may be provided in the Practice's intake forms, consent forms, and patient agreements.
Telehealth Services
Telehealth may be offered when clinically appropriate and legally permitted. Telehealth appointments may involve video, phone, secure messaging, or other electronic communication tools.
Patients must be physically located in a state where Dr. Lee is legally permitted to provide care at the time of the appointment. Patients may be asked to confirm their location at the beginning of each telehealth visit.
Privacy During Telehealth Visits
Patients are expected to attend telehealth visits from a private, safe location where they can speak openly. Using headphones is encouraged when privacy is limited.
The Practice uses reasonable safeguards to protect privacy, but telehealth may involve risks, including technology failure, interruptions, unauthorized access, or limitations in clinical assessment compared to in-person care.
Technology Issues
If a telehealth connection fails, the Practice may attempt to reconnect, call the patient, or reschedule if needed. Patients are responsible for having a working device, internet or phone connection, and a private setting for the appointment.
Emergency Limitations
Telehealth is not appropriate for all emergencies or crisis situations. The Practice does not provide 24/7 crisis coverage.
Emergency Notice
If you are experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, call 911, call or text 988, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Communication Between Appointments
The Practice may use secure patient portals, phone, email, text, or other communication tools for scheduling, administrative matters, forms, billing, and brief clinical updates.
Messages are generally reviewed during business hours. Communication between appointments is not a substitute for a scheduled appointment and may not be appropriate for urgent or complex clinical concerns.
Response Time
The Practice generally aims to respond to non-urgent messages within 24–48 business hours, although response times may vary depending on weekends, holidays, clinician availability, and the nature of the message.
Appropriate Use of Messaging
Messaging may be appropriate for brief updates, scheduling questions, medication refill requests, administrative questions, or follow-up on previously discussed treatment issues.
Messaging is not appropriate for emergencies, crisis situations, lengthy clinical discussions, new or severe symptoms, safety concerns, or concerns requiring detailed medical decision-making. In those situations, an appointment or higher level of care may be needed.
Confidentiality and Electronic Communication
The Practice takes reasonable steps to protect confidentiality. However, email, text, voicemail, and other electronic communication methods may carry privacy risks.
By communicating with the Practice electronically, you acknowledge that electronic communication may not be completely secure. If you prefer a specific communication method, please let the Practice know.
Minors and Family Communication
For adolescent patients, communication with parents or guardians and confidentiality will be handled according to applicable law, clinical judgment, and Practice policies.
Parents or guardians may be involved in scheduling, billing, consent, safety planning, and treatment coordination as appropriate. The scope of confidentiality for minor patients will be discussed as part of the intake and consent process.
Medication Refills
Medication refill requests should be made with adequate advance notice. Refill requests may not be reviewed immediately and may require a scheduled appointment.
Controlled substance refills, medication changes, early refill requests, pharmacy changes, or medication concerns may require clinical review and may not be handled solely by message.
Boundaries of Electronic Communication
Electronic communication should not be used for urgent safety concerns, emergencies, or situations requiring immediate clinical attention. The Practice may recommend an appointment, urgent care, emergency care, or a higher level of care depending on the nature of the concern.
Changes to This Policy
This policy may be updated from time to time. The updated version will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.
Contact
For questions, please contact the Practice using the contact information listed on this website.
Contact the Practice