Practice policies

Telehealth Informed Consent Disclosure

Effective Date: May 26, 2026 · Last Updated: July 15, 2026

This disclosure applies to virtual naturopathic medicine consultations conducted through secure video or phone platforms by Dr. Rayna Dvorak, ND, LAc, through Dr. Rayna Dvorak, ND, LAc, Kirkland, Washington. By scheduling and participating in a telehealth appointment, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the information below.

What Is Telehealth?

Telehealth is the delivery of healthcare services using electronic communications, including video conferencing, telephone, and secure messaging, to facilitate consultation between a patient and a licensed healthcare provider when they are not physically in the same location. Telehealth may involve live interactive video and audio, or asynchronous communication (such as secure messaging through the patient portal).

Benefits of Telehealth

  • Convenient access to care without travel, particularly for follow-up appointments and consultations that do not require physical examination.
  • Access to care from your home or workplace.
  • Reduced exposure to infectious illness in a clinical waiting room.
  • Continuity of care for established patients when in-person visits are not possible.

Limitations of Telehealth

  • Telehealth does not allow for physical examination, which limits the clinical information available to your provider.
  • Technical difficulties — including poor internet connection, audio/video quality issues, or equipment failure — may interrupt or degrade the quality of a telehealth visit. In such cases, the appointment may need to be rescheduled or converted to a phone consultation.
  • Certain services and examinations cannot be performed via telehealth and may require an in-person visit. Acupuncture, physical assessments, and other hands-on modalities require in-person attendance at our Kirkland, WA office.
  • Security and privacy risks exist in any electronic communication. While we use secure, HIPAA-compliant platforms, no method of electronic communication is 100% secure.

Washington State Telehealth — Regulatory Notice

Dr. Rayna Dvorak is licensed to practice naturopathic medicine and acupuncture in the State of Washington. Telehealth services are provided only to patients who are physically located in Washington State at the time of the appointment, consistent with Washington telemedicine regulations and Dr. Dvorak’s licensure. If you are located outside of Washington State when your appointment takes place, please notify us in advance, as we may not be able to provide services at that time.

Privacy and Security

Telehealth appointments are conducted over HIPAA-compliant video and communication platforms. Your protected health information (PHI) transmitted through these platforms is subject to the same privacy protections as in-person care, as described in our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices. Telehealth sessions are not recorded without your explicit prior consent.

To protect your privacy, we recommend conducting telehealth appointments from a private location where your conversation cannot be overheard. Do not conduct telehealth appointments from public spaces, open offices, or other locations where your health information could be overheard by others.

Your Rights

  • You have the right to refuse telehealth services and to request in-person care instead.
  • You have the right to stop a telehealth session at any time.
  • You have the right to be informed of the identity and credentials of all healthcare providers involved in your care.
  • You have the right to access a summary or record of your telehealth visit through the patient portal.

Emergency Situations

Telehealth is not appropriate for medical emergencies. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Dr. Dvorak will obtain your location at the beginning of each telehealth session so that emergency services can be contacted on your behalf if necessary.

Patient Location and Emergency Information

At the start of each telehealth appointment, we will confirm your physical location and emergency contact information. This is both a safety measure and a legal requirement — telehealth services are provided only to patients who are physically located in Washington State at the time of the appointment. Your confirmed location is documented as part of the visit record.

Formal Consent

Formal written telehealth informed consent is obtained through your new-patient intake documents, which are completed and signed securely through our patient portal (ChARM Health) prior to your first telehealth appointment. This disclosure page is provided for your reference and information. If you have questions about telehealth consent before your appointment, please contact us at (480) 463-4066 or hello@drraynadvorak.com.