⚠ Not for medical emergencies
Pepvio is not for medical emergencies. If you are experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, signs of stroke, suicidal thoughts, an allergic reaction, or any other emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately. Telehealth services through Pepvio are not appropriate for time-sensitive or life-threatening conditions.
This Telehealth Informed Consent ("Consent") describes the nature, benefits, risks, and limitations of receiving healthcare services via telehealth through the Pepvio platform. Please read it carefully. By completing the Pepvio health intake and proceeding to use the Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and voluntarily consent to receive telehealth services as described in this document.
1. What Is Telehealth?
"Telehealth" (also referred to as telemedicine) is the delivery of healthcare services using electronic communications technology between a healthcare provider and a patient who are not in the same physical location. Telehealth as provided through Pepvio may include:
- Electronic transmission of your health information, intake responses, and identification documents
- Asynchronous review of your information by a licensed healthcare provider
- Secure messaging between you and a provider
- Electronic prescribing of medication to a licensed compounding pharmacy
- Electronic delivery of follow-up communications, lab orders if applicable, and care updates
- Storage of your health records in electronic format
2. Asynchronous Care Model
You acknowledge that healthcare services through Pepvio are typically delivered on an asynchronous basis— meaning a licensed healthcare provider (the "Provider") reviews your submitted health information, intake responses, photo identification, and any other relevant information at a time of their choosing, and makes a clinical determination without a real-time video, audio, or in-person visit. The Provider may, in their sole clinical judgment, request additional information, request a real-time consultation, or determine that telehealth is not appropriate for you.
Asynchronous care is recognized as a legitimate form of telehealth in all 50 U.S. states for non-controlled-substance prescribing where appropriate. By consenting to telehealth services through Pepvio, you specifically consent to receive care via the asynchronous model.
3. Independent Provider Relationship
The healthcare providers accessible through Pepvio are independently licensed physicians, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants who practice medicine through one or more affiliated professional medical entities (the "Medical Group"). These providers exercise independent medical judgment in all clinical decisions. Pepvio does not employ the providers, does not direct or control their clinical judgment, and does not establish a doctor-patient relationship with you.
A provider-patient relationship is established between you and the reviewing Provider when the Provider reviews your health information and makes a clinical determination regarding your care. The Provider, not Pepvio, is responsible for your medical care. The Provider may contact you or refer you to other care as needed. If you have clinical questions, side effects, or concerns about your treatment, you should contact your prescribing Provider through the Pepvio platform's secure messaging.
4. Possible Benefits of Telehealth
- Convenient access to a licensed healthcare provider from your home or any private location
- Reduced wait times compared to scheduling in-person clinic visits
- Access to providers experienced in peptide therapy who may not be available locally
- Lower cost compared to many in-person specialty clinic visits
- Comprehensive review of your medical history before any prescription is issued
- Ongoing provider oversight and ability to message your provider through the platform
- Privacy and discretion compared to in-person visits
5. Possible Risks and Limitations of Telehealth
You acknowledge and understand that telehealth has inherent risks and limitations compared to in-person care:
- No physical examination. The Provider will not perform a physical examination, take your vital signs in person, listen to your heart and lungs, or perform any in-person diagnostic procedures. Information that might be obtained from a physical exam will not be available to the Provider.
- Reliance on your information. The Provider relies entirely on the accuracy, completeness, and truthfulness of the information you provide. Inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading information may result in an inappropriate clinical decision or treatment plan that could harm your health.
- No real-time interaction (in async care). The Provider may not be available to ask follow-up questions in real time, and you may not have the opportunity to clarify information in real time.
- Technical failures. Internet connectivity issues, software failures, or hardware problems could disrupt the delivery of services, delay your care, or result in lost or corrupted information.
- Privacy and security. Although Pepvio uses encryption and other security measures, no electronic transmission is 100% secure, and there is a risk that your health information could be intercepted, accessed without authorization, or compromised in a data breach.
- Possible denial of treatment. The Provider may determine, based on their independent clinical judgment, that you are not an appropriate candidate for peptide therapy or that an in-person evaluation is required. In that case, you may be denied a prescription or referred to in-person care.
- Not a substitute for primary care. Telehealth services through Pepvio are not a substitute for a relationship with a primary care provider. You should maintain a relationship with a primary care provider for your overall health care needs.
- Limited treatment scope. Pepvio's services are limited to peptide therapy. The Provider does not provide care for other conditions and cannot serve as your general healthcare provider.
6. Specific Risks of Peptide Therapy
You understand and acknowledge that peptide therapy carries specific risks that you should discuss with the Provider, including:
- Injection-site reactions: redness, swelling, pain, bruising, or rare infection at the injection site
- Allergic reactions: rare but possible, ranging from mild rash to severe systemic reactions
- Theoretical concerns with growth-promoting peptides: peptides that stimulate growth hormone or IGF-1 (such as Sermorelin and Tesamorelin) are theoretically contraindicated in patients with active or recent cancer history, due to the potential for IGF-1 to promote tissue growth
- Theoretical angiogenic concerns: peptides that promote angiogenesis are theoretically contraindicated in patients with active cancer, as new blood vessel formation could theoretically support tumor growth
- Immune modulation: peptides that modulate the immune system may interact with autoimmune conditions or immunosuppressive medications in unpredictable ways
- Hormonal effects: growth hormone secretagogues may affect blood glucose, IGF-1 levels, and other hormonal parameters; long-term use may theoretically affect endogenous hormone production
- Drug interactions: peptides may interact with prescription medications, supplements, or over-the-counter products
- Limited clinical trial data: many therapeutic peptides have not been studied in formal large-scale human clinical trials. Long-term safety data is limited compared to FDA-approved drugs
- Individual response variation: peptide therapy may not produce the desired benefits for all patients, and individual response varies significantly
- Unknown long-term risks: as with all therapies that have not been studied in multi-decade clinical trials, unknown long-term risks may exist
You acknowledge that you have had the opportunity to ask questions about the risks of peptide therapy and that you accept these risks as part of your informed consent.
7. Compounded Medications — Not FDA-Approved
You expressly acknowledge that medications prescribed through the Services are compounded medications and are NOT FDA-approved drugs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not approve compounded drugs for safety, effectiveness, or quality in the same manner as FDA-approved finished pharmaceutical products. Compounded medications are permitted under sections 503A and 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
For complete information about compounded medications, please review the Compounded Medication Disclosure.
8. Alternatives to Treatment
You acknowledge that alternatives to peptide therapy exist and have been considered, including: not pursuing treatment, addressing the underlying condition through lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, sleep, stress management), conventional FDA-approved medications, in-person medical evaluation by a specialist, surgery (where applicable), and other complementary or alternative therapies. You acknowledge that you have had the opportunity to consider these alternatives and have voluntarily chosen to seek peptide therapy through Pepvio.
9. Your Responsibilities
By consenting to telehealth services, you agree to:
- Provide complete, accurate, and truthful information in your health intake and at all times during your care
- Disclose all current medications, supplements, herbal products, and over-the-counter products you are taking
- Disclose all known allergies, medical conditions, and prior adverse drug reactions
- Disclose any pregnancy, plans to become pregnant, or breastfeeding status
- Disclose any history of cancer, autoimmune disease, kidney disease, liver disease, or other serious medical conditions
- Update your health information promptly if your medical status changes
- Follow the Provider's instructions and the prescribed treatment plan
- Use any prescribed medication only as directed and only for yourself — do not share, sell, or transfer medication to any other person
- Promptly report any side effects, adverse reactions, or unexpected symptoms to your Provider
- Seek emergency care (call 911) if you experience severe or life-threatening symptoms
- Maintain a relationship with a primary care provider for your overall healthcare
- Maintain accurate contact and shipping information
10. Your Right to Withdraw Consent
You may withdraw your consent to telehealth services at any time, for any reason, by contacting support@pepvio.com or by cancelling your subscription. Withdrawal of consent will not affect the legality of services provided prior to withdrawal. After withdrawal, you may not receive any further telehealth services through Pepvio until you provide new consent.
11. Your Right to Records
You have the right to receive a copy of your medical records related to telehealth services received through Pepvio, in accordance with applicable law. To request a copy of your records, contact records@pepvio.com. We may charge a reasonable fee for copying and delivery as permitted by law.
12. State-Specific Disclosures
Some states require additional disclosures for telehealth services. By consenting to telehealth services, you acknowledge the following:
- California residents: You acknowledge that the Provider is licensed in the state where you are located when receiving services. You have the right to receive care from a Provider licensed in California. You may receive a copy of these disclosures at any time.
- Texas residents: You acknowledge that the Provider must establish a valid practitioner-patient relationship before issuing any prescription. The Provider has discretion to determine whether telehealth is appropriate for your care. You have the right to receive non-telehealth care if available.
- Florida residents: You acknowledge that the Provider is licensed and registered with the Florida Board of Medicine to provide telehealth services to Florida residents.
- New York residents: You acknowledge that the Provider is licensed in New York and authorized to provide telehealth services to New York residents.
- Other states: You acknowledge that the Provider is licensed in your state of residence and authorized to provide telehealth services as required by your state's laws.
13. Privacy and HIPAA
Health information you provide through Pepvio is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and applicable state privacy laws. Pepvio implements administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect your protected health information (PHI). For details about how your health information is used and disclosed, see our Notice of Privacy Practices and Privacy Policy.
14. Acknowledgment and Consent
By completing the Pepvio health intake and clicking the consent checkboxes during the intake process, you acknowledge and agree that:
- You have read this Telehealth Informed Consent in its entirety and have had the opportunity to ask questions
- You understand the nature, benefits, risks, and limitations of telehealth services as described above
- You understand the specific risks of peptide therapy
- You understand that compounded medications are not FDA-approved
- You voluntarily consent to receive telehealth services from a Provider through the Pepvio platform
- You consent to the asynchronous care model
- You agree to provide truthful and complete health information
- You understand that you may withdraw consent at any time
- You are at least 18 years of age and have the legal capacity to consent
- You are physically located in a U.S. state where the Medical Group is licensed to provide telehealth services
15. Contact
Questions about telehealth services or this consent:
- General support: support@pepvio.com
- Medical records: records@pepvio.com
- Privacy: privacy@pepvio.com