Telehealth Consent

Last updated: July 2026

This Telehealth Consent explains the nature of BuddMD's telemedicine services, the benefits and limitations of telehealth, and your responsibilities as a patient.

By submitting an intake form, scheduling a telemedicine evaluation, or participating in BuddMD services, you acknowledge and consent to receiving services by telehealth.

1. About BuddMD Telehealth Services

BuddMD provides physician-led telemedicine evaluations for eligible patients seeking medical cannabis certification in New York and Connecticut.

Telehealth may include online intake, electronic forms, audio/video communication, telephone communication, text or email communication, electronic review of information, and remote documentation when appropriate.

Certification is provided only if the clinician determines that medical cannabis certification is clinically appropriate and permitted under applicable state program requirements.

2. Telehealth Is Not Emergency Care

BuddMD does not provide emergency care or urgent care.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

If you have severe symptoms, thoughts of self-harm, chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe allergic reaction, severe intoxication, or another urgent concern, do not use BuddMD for emergency help.

3. Benefits of Telehealth

Telehealth may allow you to:

• Complete intake remotely.
• Avoid an office visit.
• Schedule an evaluation more conveniently.
• Receive certification documentation electronically when clinically appropriate.
• Communicate with BuddMD about intake, scheduling, or follow-up.

4. Limitations and Risks of Telehealth

Telehealth also has limitations and risks, including:

• The clinician may not be able to perform a full physical examination.
• Technology may fail, disconnect, or have poor audio/video quality.
• Electronic communications may have privacy or security risks.
• The clinician may determine that telehealth is not sufficient for your situation.
• Additional documentation, identity verification, or in-person care may be recommended.
• Certification may not be clinically appropriate.

5. Consent to Telehealth

You consent to receive BuddMD services through telehealth.

You understand that telehealth may involve online intake, remote communication, electronic records, and review of information you provide.

You understand that you may ask questions about telehealth before or during the evaluation.

You understand that you may withdraw consent to telehealth, but doing so may prevent BuddMD from completing the requested service remotely.

6. Identity, Location, and Contact Information

You agree to provide accurate identifying information, including your legal name, date of birth, contact information, and state of residence.

You may be asked to provide identification or additional information before certification is issued.

You agree to provide your current physical location if requested during a telemedicine interaction, especially if needed for safety, emergency, or state-law purposes.

7. New York Patients

For New York patients, medical cannabis certification may be provided after consultation with a New York State certifying health care provider, including by telehealth, when the provider determines that medical cannabis certification is clinically appropriate.

New York does not use a fixed list of qualifying conditions. Certification depends on the provider's clinical judgment and applicable New York program requirements.

8. Connecticut Patients

For Connecticut patients, eligibility depends on Connecticut medical cannabis program requirements, including state residency and qualifying medical condition requirements.

Connecticut telehealth rules require that patients be informed about telehealth treatment methods and limitations, consent to telehealth services, and have consent documented in the health record.

By using BuddMD telehealth services, you consent to receiving telehealth services and acknowledge the limitations described in this consent.

9. Communication and Privacy

BuddMD may communicate with you by phone, text, email, online form, scheduling platform, or other electronic methods about your intake, scheduling, payment, certification, documentation, or follow-up.

Text and email may not be fully secure. Do not send sensitive documents unless specifically instructed.

BuddMD will handle protected health information according to its Privacy Policy and Notice of Privacy Practices.

10. Relationship With Other Providers

BuddMD does not replace your primary care clinician, specialists, mental health providers, pain management clinicians, or other treating providers.

You should continue appropriate care with your regular clinicians.

BuddMD may recommend that you seek additional medical evaluation or follow-up when appropriate.

11. Primary Care Provider Disclosure

If applicable law requires or permits discussion of whether records should be shared with your primary care provider, BuddMD may ask whether you consent to such disclosure.

BuddMD will not routinely send records to your primary care provider without your request or authorization, except as required or permitted by law.

12. No Guaranteed Certification

Submitting an intake form, scheduling a visit, or participating in a telehealth evaluation does not guarantee certification.

Certification is issued only if clinically appropriate and permitted under applicable state requirements.

If certification is not clinically appropriate and payment was collected for the certification service, BuddMD will refund the certification payment according to its refund policy.

13. Patient Acknowledgment

By submitting an intake form, scheduling a telemedicine evaluation, or continuing with BuddMD services, you acknowledge that:

• You have read and understand this Telehealth Consent.
• You consent to receive services by telehealth.
• You understand the benefits, risks, and limitations of telehealth.
• You understand BuddMD is not an emergency service.
• You understand certification is not guaranteed.
• You understand your information will be handled according to BuddMD's Privacy Policy and Notice of Privacy Practices.

14. Contact

Questions about telehealth consent may be directed to:

BuddMD
Email: care@buddmd.com
Text: (347) 822-9973
Website: https://buddmd.com