Patient Identity
Full legal name, date of birth, and a brief identity verification method to reduce misidentification risk during remote sessions.
A clear addendum documents informed consent for remote care, reduces regulatory ambiguity under HIPAA, and creates an auditable record of patient choices. It aligns telehealth practices with federal e-signature frameworks (ESIGN Act, 15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state electronic transaction rules (UETA) while addressing privacy, recording, and cross‑jurisdictional licensure concerns.
The Healthcare Telehealth Addendum is used by clinical providers, administrative staff, and patients to document consent and technical terms before remote visits.
The addendum clarifies roles and establishes which party is responsible for technology, privacy safeguards, and emergency procedures.
Full legal name, date of birth, and a brief identity verification method to reduce misidentification risk during remote sessions.
Clear description of services permitted via telehealth, limitations compared to in-person care, and procedures for escalation or in-person referral.
Specify audio, video, store-and-forward, or remote monitoring technology, plus minimum technical requirements for participation.
Explicit patient authorization or denial for audio/video recording, including storage duration and access controls for recorded PHI.
Statement about HIPAA protections, whether a Business Associate Agreement applies, and patient rights under 45 CFR §164.502 et seq.
Signature block for patient and provider with date fields and witness or notary information if required by state law or organizational policy.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Authentication Method | Email link or SMS code; use KBA or MFA for higher risk |
| Recording Retention | Set retention per policy, commonly 6 years for PHI |
| BAA Requirement | Enable only if BAA exists with vendor |
| Document Format | Use PDF/A for long-term preservation |
Ensure the chosen platform supports HIPAA controls, secure transport, and integration with your clinical systems.
Confirm vendor compliance certifications and BAA availability prior to transmitting PHI through any third-party service.
Obtain signed addendum prior to providing telehealth services when feasible.
Document clinical reason if consent cannot be obtained beforehand.
Give explicit notice immediately if a session is recorded.
Store signed addendum with clinical record for required retention period.
Record patient revocation and effective date in the chart.
Legal and clinical teams approve template language and fields.
Addendum provided and any questions answered prior to signing.
Patient and provider signatures captured with authentication.
Signed addendum stored in EHR and retained per policy.
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | Yes, 7-day free trial | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies | No cap | No cap |
A clinic attaches the addendum to intake forms to document audio-only session consent
An agency uses the addendum for remote monitoring enrollment
The patient or their legally authorized representative must sign to indicate informed consent for telehealth modalities, recordings, and data sharing; guardians or healthcare proxies sign when the patient lacks capacity.
An authorized clinician or delegated staff member signs to confirm the provider’s telehealth policies, technical instructions, and any clinician-specific limitations or procedures.