Legal, Privacy, HIPAA & Accessibility

Effective Date: 9/30/26
Last Updated: 9/30/26

Northstar Online Clinic is committed to protecting patient privacy, providing transparent telehealth services, safeguarding health information, and making our website and services accessible to all patients.

This page includes Northstar Online Clinic’s Privacy Policy, Website Terms and Conditions, HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, telehealth information, and Accessibility Statement.

Northstar Online Clinic provides telehealth services to eligible patients located in Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, and New Hampshire at the time of their appointment.

1. Privacy Policy

Information We May Collect

Northstar Online Clinic may collect information you voluntarily provide through our website or through services used to coordinate your care.

This information may include:

• Name
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Contact preferences
• Appointment or consultation information
• Communications you send to Northstar
• Billing or transaction information
• Information necessary to coordinate telehealth services
• Health information provided through approved patient-care platforms
• Website usage information, such as browser type, device information, cookies, and general interaction with the website

Medical information required for diagnosis, treatment, prescriptions, or ongoing patient care should be submitted only through approved patient communication or telehealth platforms.

General Website Contact Forms

General contact forms on this website are intended for basic questions and non-sensitive communications.

Please do not submit private medical information, detailed symptoms, medication information, Social Security numbers, medical records, or urgent medical concerns through a general website contact form.

Patients should use Northstar’s designated secure patient communication or telehealth platform for patient-specific medical information.

How We Use Information

Information may be used to:

• Respond to questions or requests
• Schedule and coordinate telehealth consultations
• Provide healthcare services
• Communicate regarding appointments or treatment
• Maintain patient records
• Coordinate prescriptions, pharmacies, laboratories, or other healthcare services
• Process payments
• Improve website functionality and patient experience
• Protect the security and integrity of our services
• Meet legal, regulatory, licensing, recordkeeping, and healthcare obligations

Telehealth Platforms and Third-Party Services

Northstar Online Clinic may use third-party platforms and service providers to support scheduling, telehealth consultations, documentation, payment processing, communication, and other healthcare operations.

These services may include Push Health and Sesame Care, as well as pharmacies, laboratories, payment processors, website providers, and other vendors.

Information submitted directly through Push Health or Sesame Care is also subject to each platform’s respective terms of use, consent documents, and privacy policies. Patients should review the applicable platform policies before using either service.

Northstar does not control the independent privacy practices of third-party websites or services.

Telehealth communications can involve privacy and security risks, and HHS recommends that patients use private locations, secure networks, and appropriate device safeguards when participating in telehealth appointments. HHS.gov

Cookies, Analytics and Website Technology

The Northstar website may use cookies or similar technologies for website functionality, security, performance measurement, and general analytics.

Visitors should not use public-facing website features to transmit protected medical information unless the feature is specifically identified as a secure patient communication system.

Healthcare providers subject to HIPAA must take additional precautions when website tracking technologies have access to protected health information. HHS.gov

Information Sharing

Northstar may disclose information when reasonably necessary for:

• Treatment
• Payment
• Healthcare operations
• Pharmacy or laboratory coordination
• Telehealth services
• Business associates or service providers supporting clinic operations
• Legal or regulatory requirements
• Public health activities
• Healthcare oversight
• Patient safety
• Preventing or responding to a serious threat to health or safety

Northstar does not use a general website privacy policy as authorization to disclose protected health information when HIPAA requires another form of authorization or legal permission.

Data Security

Northstar takes reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to protect personal and health information.

However, no internet transmission, email system, website, or electronic storage method can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Patients should use Northstar’s designated secure patient communication systems when discussing medical care.

Children and Minors

Northstar Online Clinic’s services are intended primarily for adults.

Individuals under age 18 should not submit personal or medical information through this website unless specifically directed by Northstar and accompanied by any legally required parent or guardian authorization.

2. Terms and Conditions

By accessing or using Northstar Online Clinic’s website, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.

Website Information Is Not Medical Advice

Information provided on this website is intended for general educational purposes.

Website content is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or an evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional.

Reading information on this website, submitting a general contact form, or clicking a scheduling link does not by itself establish a provider-patient relationship.

A provider-patient relationship is established only through an appropriate clinical interaction and acceptance of care.

Telehealth Services

Northstar provides telehealth services to eligible patients who are physically located in a state where Ryan Foley, APRN, is appropriately licensed to provide care.

Northstar currently serves eligible patients in:

Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, and New Hampshire.

Patients may be asked to confirm their identity and physical location at the beginning of a telehealth encounter.

Telehealth may not be appropriate for every medical condition. Ryan may recommend in-person evaluation, emergency care, laboratory testing, imaging, specialty care, or another healthcare service when clinically appropriate.

Emergency Medical Care

Northstar Online Clinic is not an emergency medical service.

Do not use this website, a contact form, email, Push Health, Sesame Care, or routine telehealth scheduling for a medical emergency.

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

Prescriptions and Medication

A consultation does not guarantee a prescription.

Medication may be prescribed only when Ryan determines that treatment is medically appropriate and legally permitted.

Certain medications may require:

• Medical records
• Laboratory testing
• Additional evaluation
• Follow-up appointments
• Monitoring
• In-person evaluation
• Pharmacy coordination

Some medications, including controlled substances or medications requiring specialized monitoring, may not be available through Northstar’s routine telehealth services.

For GLP-1 and medical weight-loss care, treatment eligibility and medication selection depend on the patient’s health history, medications, clinical needs, potential risks, and professional medical judgment.

GLP-1 and Medical Weight-Loss Services

Information regarding semaglutide, tirzepatide, GLP-1 medications, peptides, or other weight-management treatments is provided for educational purposes.

Treatment is individualized.

Northstar does not guarantee:

• Eligibility for medication
• A particular medication
• A specific dosage
• Insurance coverage
• Medication availability
• Pharmacy availability
• A particular amount of weight loss
• A particular medical outcome

Medication, pharmacy, laboratory, and other third-party costs may be separate from Northstar’s consultation fee unless specifically stated otherwise.

Consultation Fees

Northstar may charge fees for telehealth consultations as displayed on the website or applicable booking platform.

The current advertised consultation price may be $70, but specific services, follow-ups, laboratory testing, medication, pharmacy charges, or third-party services may involve additional costs.

Patients should review pricing before completing a booking.

Patient Responsibilities

Patients agree to provide accurate and complete information regarding:

• Identity
• Physical location
• Health history
• Medications
• Allergies
• Symptoms
• Previous diagnoses
• Laboratory results
• Other information relevant to treatment

Patients are responsible for asking questions when they do not understand treatment recommendations.

Technology Limitations

Telehealth relies on internet access, electronic devices, third-party systems, and communications technology.

Technical failures may delay or interrupt an appointment.

Northstar may recommend another communication method, rescheduling, or in-person care if technology prevents an appropriate clinical encounter.

Third-Party Websites

Northstar may link to external platforms, including Push Health and Sesame Care.

External websites are governed by their own privacy policies, terms, consent documents, accessibility practices, and security procedures.

A link from Northstar does not transfer responsibility for that third party’s website or services to Northstar.

No Guarantee of Results

Healthcare results vary between individuals.

Northstar does not guarantee any particular diagnosis, treatment result, medication response, weight-loss result, or health outcome.

Changes to These Terms

Northstar may update these policies periodically to reflect changes in services, technology, laws, regulations, or clinic practices.

The updated effective date will appear at the top of this page.

3. HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

Your Information. Your Rights. Our Responsibilities.

This section describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can access this information.

Northstar Online Clinic is required by applicable law to protect the privacy and security of protected health information, provide patients with information about privacy practices, and notify affected individuals following certain breaches of unsecured protected health information. HHS.gov

How Northstar May Use and Share Your Health Information

Northstar may use or disclose your protected health information for permitted purposes including:

Treatment

We may use or share information to provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare.

This may include sharing relevant information with:

• Pharmacies
• Laboratories
• Other treating healthcare professionals
• Specialists
• Telehealth platforms
• Other entities involved in your care

Payment

We may use information as necessary to process payment or administer healthcare-related financial transactions.

Healthcare Operations

We may use health information for activities necessary to operate the clinic, such as:

• Quality improvement
• Compliance
• Recordkeeping
• Administrative functions
• Security
• Business operations

Other Permitted Uses and Disclosures

Applicable law may permit or require Northstar to disclose health information for purposes such as:

• Public health and safety
• Reporting certain diseases or conditions
• Reporting suspected abuse or neglect when legally required
• Health oversight activities
• Judicial or administrative proceedings
• Law enforcement requests permitted by law
• Workers’ compensation matters
• Preventing or reducing a serious threat to health or safety
• Compliance with federal or state law
• Other activities specifically permitted or required by law

Your HIPAA Rights

You generally have rights regarding your protected health information.

These may include the right to:

Obtain a Copy of Your Health Information

You may request access to or copies of certain medical and billing records maintained by Northstar.

Request a Correction

You may ask Northstar to amend health information you believe is incorrect or incomplete.

Northstar may deny certain requests when legally permitted, but will explain the reason when required.

Request Confidential Communications

You may request that Northstar communicate with you in a particular way or at a particular location.

Request Restrictions

You may ask Northstar to limit certain uses or disclosures of your health information.

Northstar is not required to agree to every requested restriction except where specifically required by law.

Receive an Accounting of Certain Disclosures

You may request information about certain disclosures of your health information.

Receive a Copy of This Notice

You may request a paper or electronic copy of this Notice at any time.

Choose Someone to Act for You

A legally authorized representative may exercise certain rights on your behalf.

File a Privacy Complaint

You may file a complaint with Northstar if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights.

Northstar will not retaliate against you for filing a privacy complaint.

Northstar’s Responsibilities

Northstar will:

• Maintain the privacy and security of protected health information as required by applicable law
• Follow the privacy practices described in the current Notice
• Notify affected individuals when legally required following a breach of unsecured protected health information
• Provide patients with access to this Notice
• Limit uses and disclosures of protected health information as required by applicable law

HHS requires covered healthcare providers with websites describing their services to prominently post and make their Notice of Privacy Practices available online. HHS.gov

Questions or Privacy Complaints

For questions about this Notice, requests involving your health information, or privacy complaints, contact:

Northstar Online Clinic
Ryan Foley, APRN
Email: [Insert Privacy Contact Email]
Phone: [Insert Phone Number]
Mailing Address: [Insert Business Mailing Address]

4. Accessibility Statement

Northstar Online Clinic is committed to providing people with disabilities equal access to our website, information, and telehealth services.

Medical offices and other businesses open to the public are subject to the ADA’s requirements for nondiscrimination and effective communication, including services provided through websites. The Department of Justice identifies the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, or WCAG, as helpful technical guidance for website accessibility. ADA.gov

Our Accessibility Goal

Northstar is working to provide a website experience that is accessible to as many people as possible and aims to follow recognized accessibility practices, including principles found in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Our accessibility efforts may include:

• Clear heading structures
• Keyboard-accessible navigation
• Alternative text for meaningful images
• Appropriate text and background contrast
• Descriptive links and buttons
• Responsive design
• Clearly labeled forms
• Compatibility with common assistive technologies
• Accessible alternatives when digital content cannot be accessed

Telehealth Accommodations

If you require an accommodation to access telehealth services, please contact Northstar before your appointment.

Reasonable accommodations may include assistance with communication, alternative formats, or other appropriate accessibility support.

HHS guidance notes that healthcare providers may need to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services to ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities during telehealth services. HHS.gov

Report an Accessibility Problem

If you experience difficulty accessing any part of the Northstar Online Clinic website or telehealth services, please contact us.

When possible, include:

• The webpage or feature you were trying to access
• A brief description of the problem
• Your preferred way to receive the information

We will make reasonable efforts to provide the information or service through an accessible alternative.

Accessibility Contact:
Email: ryan@northstaronlineclinic.com
Phone: 804-640-6030

Final Contact Section

Questions About Privacy, Legal Terms or Accessibility?

Northstar Online Clinic welcomes questions regarding these policies or requests for accessible assistance.

Ryan Foley, APRN
Northstar Online Clinic
Colorado • Connecticut • Maine • New Hampshire

Complaint information is available through the HHS Office for Civil Rights.