Telehealth consent | Minneapolis Genetics

Telehealth Informed Consent

Minneapolis Genetics, PLLC

Effective date: 4/26/2026 Last revised: 4/26/2026

The short version

Before we read the full document together, here is what this consent is really saying:

We will meet by secure video. The platform is encrypted and HIPAA-compliant, but no technology is 100% private.
You need to be in a private space, in one of the states where I am authorized to practice, and 18 or older (or have a parent or guardian present).
Telehealth has limits. I can counsel, educate, and order labs. I cannot do a physical exam, perform procedures, or respond to emergencies in real time.
You can stop the session at any time, decline telehealth and ask for an in-person referral, or transfer your care to another provider.
Your information is protected the same way it would be in a clinic, with the same legal exceptions (court orders, mandatory reporting, immediate safety concerns).

If any of the above gives you pause, please ask before signing. That is what this conversation is for.

1. What you are consenting to

By signing this document, you are agreeing to receive genetic counseling services from Minneapolis Genetics, PLLC, delivered via telehealth by Vaish Subramani, MGC, LCGC.

"Telehealth" means the use of secure, real-time, two-way video and audio communication between you and your genetic counselor. Telehealth may also include secure messaging, the electronic exchange of records, and remote ordering of laboratory testing.

This consent applies to all telehealth services you receive from Minneapolis Genetics until you withdraw it in writing.

2. What telehealth genetic counseling involves

A typical telehealth genetic counseling session with us includes some or all of the following:

Video session with your genetic counselor (15 to 60 minutes, depending on the package)
Personal and family history review
Education and discussion about genetic conditions, testing options, and what results mean
Test ordering, when clinically appropriate, through partner laboratories (Natera, BillionToOne, Myriad, Quest, or others)
Sample collection at your local lab or via mail-based kit. Minneapolis Genetics does not collect samples directly.
Results review in a follow-up video session
Written summary sent to your OB-GYN, midwife, maternal-fetal medicine specialist, reproductive endocrinologist, or fertility clinic, when you request it
Secure follow-up messaging for time-limited periods after certain packages

Telehealth does not include:

Physical examination
Diagnostic procedures (such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling)
Treatment of medical conditions
Prescription of medications
Direct emergency response

If your situation requires any of these services, we will help you connect with the appropriate provider.

3. Technology and how sessions work

Platforms we use

Video sessions: Jane App’s platform is HIPAA-compliant and encrypted in transit. We have a Business Associate Agreement on file with the vendor.
Scheduling, intake forms, secure messaging, and document delivery: Jane, a HIPAA-compliant practice management system. Business Associate Agreement on file.
Lab ordering: through each lab's secure provider portal.

What you need on your end

A device with a camera and microphone (smartphone, tablet, or computer)
A reliable internet connection (most platforms require at least 1 Mbps upload and download)
A current browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge, kept up to date)
A private location where your conversation cannot be overheard
Headphones (recommended, especially if others are nearby)

Before the session

You will receive an intake form through Jane and a secure link to join your video session. Please test your camera and microphone in advance. Join 5 minutes early to troubleshoot any issues.

4. Benefits of telehealth

Access to specialty genetic counseling without travel, in regions where in-person genetic counselors are scarce
Faster appointment availability (most appointments within 5 business days)
Comfort and privacy of your own home or chosen location
Continuity of care with the same counselor across all visits in your episode of care
Easier inclusion of partners or support people who live in different locations
Reduced cost and time compared to in-person specialty visits

5. Risks and limitations of telehealth

You should be aware of the following risks before consenting:

Technology risks

Connection failures. Internet, audio, or video may interrupt or drop. If this happens during a sensitive moment in our conversation, it can be distressing. We will reschedule or continue by phone if necessary.
Audio or video quality issues may affect the conversation, including making it harder to read facial expressions or tone.
Privacy risks despite encryption. While we use encrypted, HIPAA-compliant platforms, no electronic transmission is 100% secure. There is a small risk that information could be intercepted.
Device-side risks. If your device is shared, lost, or compromised, your information could be accessed by others.

Clinical limitations

No physical examination. I cannot examine you, palpate, or perform any physical assessment.
Limited nonverbal cues. Some emotional or physical signals are harder to read on video than in person.
Test sample collection happens elsewhere. I order tests, but you provide the sample at a local lab or via mail-based kit. This adds a step and a small delay.
Not appropriate for emergencies. See Section 8 below.

Specific to genetic counseling

Genetic counseling provides information, education, and decision support. It does not include treatment of any condition that may be discovered.
Test results are sometimes uncertain (such as a "variant of uncertain significance"). Some questions cannot be answered definitively even after testing.
Some genetic information has implications for family members. We will discuss how you may choose to share this information.

6. Privacy and confidentiality

Your information is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and applicable state laws. Full details are in our Notice of Privacy Practices (link to NPP).

Briefly:

Sessions are conducted on encrypted, HIPAA-compliant platforms.
We do not record video sessions. If you would like a session recorded for your own use, this must be discussed and agreed in writing in advance.
We do not allow third parties to observe a session without your explicit consent.
We will share information only as you direct (for example, sending a summary to your OB), or as required or permitted by law.

Legally required disclosures

We may be required to share information without your consent in limited circumstances, including:

A court order or valid subpoena
Suspected abuse or neglect of a child, vulnerable adult, or older adult
A serious and imminent threat to your safety or the safety of others
Public health reporting required by law

7. Your responsibilities

To make telehealth work safely, you agree to:

Be in a private location where your conversation cannot be overheard. Headphones help.
Be physically located in one of the states or jurisdictions where Minneapolis Genetics is authorized to practice (see Section 9).
Confirm your identity at the start of each session.
Tell us who else is present in the room with you, even if they are off-camera.
Use a secure internet connection. Avoid public Wi-Fi if possible.
Not record the session without prior written agreement.
Provide accurate medical, family, and contact information.
Tell us if you are not comfortable with telehealth at any point. We can pause, reschedule, or help you find an in-person provider.

8. Emergency procedures

Telehealth is not appropriate for medical or psychiatric emergencies.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, including thoughts of harming yourself or others:

Call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline)
Call 911 if you or someone else is in immediate danger
Go to your nearest emergency room

What we will do during a session if a safety concern arises

If during a session I become concerned about your immediate safety, I may:

Ask for the address where you are located
Ask for the name and contact information of a support person
Contact emergency services on your behalf if I believe there is an imminent threat

I will do this in collaboration with you whenever possible.

Why I ask for your location at every session

At the start of each session, I will confirm where you are physically located. This is required so that:

I can verify that I am authorized to provide care in that state
I can direct emergency services to you if needed

9. State licensure and jurisdiction

I am licensed as a genetic counselor in Minnesota (LCGC) and certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC).

I am authorized to provide genetic counseling to patients physically located in any of the following 14 jurisdictions at the time of the session:

Alaska · Arizona · Colorado · Kansas · Maine · Minnesota · Missouri · New York · North Carolina · Texas · Vermont · Washington DC · West Virginia · Wyoming

If you travel to a state not on this list, I cannot provide a session while you are there. The regulatory landscape for telehealth and genetic counselor licensure changes frequently. If your state is not listed, please contact us, as the situation may have changed.

By signing this consent, you confirm that you will tell me if your physical location at the time of a session changes from what is in your chart.

10. Recording and documentation

Session recording

We do not record video or audio of telehealth sessions. If you wish to record a session for your own personal reference, you must request this in writing before the session, and we will discuss whether and how it can be done.

Clinical documentation

A clinical record of every session is created and maintained, the same as it would be for an in-person visit. This includes:

Notes of what was discussed
Test orders and results
Written summaries sent to other providers at your request
Secure messages exchanged with you

These records are maintained according to Minnesota state requirements (a minimum of 7 years from the last date of service).

You have the right to request a copy of your records. See our Notice of Privacy Practices for details.

11. Fees, payment, and insurance

Minneapolis Genetics is a self-pay, out-of-network practice. We do not bill insurance directly.

All fees are listed on our Packages page and will be confirmed before your appointment.
A Good Faith Estimate under the No Surprises Act is provided in advance for all services.
Payment is made through Jane at the time of booking. We accept HSA and FSA cards.
A superbill with diagnosis and procedure codes can be provided on request for you to submit to your insurer for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
Cancellation policy: see Frequently Asked Questions or contact us. Late cancellations and no-shows may forfeit some or all of the session fee.

You are responsible for the cost of any laboratory testing ordered. Lab costs are billed separately by the lab and are not included in our fees. Many labs offer self-pay pricing or work with insurance directly. We will discuss expected costs before any test is ordered.

12. Your rights

You have the right to:

Refuse telehealth and request an in-person referral. Genetic counseling is not available in person at Minneapolis Genetics, but we can help you find a provider in your area.
Stop or pause a session at any time, for any reason.
Withdraw this consent at any time by notifying us in writing at office@minneapolisgenetics.com. Withdrawal does not affect the validity of services already provided.
Transfer your care to another genetic counselor at any time. We will provide a copy of your records.
Ask questions about anything in this document or about your care, at any time.
File a complaint if you have concerns about your care or your privacy. See our Notice of Privacy Practices for the complaint process.

You will not be penalized in any way for exercising any of these rights.

13. Minors

A patient under the age of 18 may receive telehealth genetic counseling if:

A parent or legal guardian has signed this consent on the minor's behalf, and
A parent or legal guardian is present at the start of the session and available throughout, or has provided documented permission for the minor to be seen alone (where state law permits)

State laws on minor consent for healthcare vary. We will confirm the requirements that apply to your situation before your session.

14. Limitations of this consent

This consent does not:

Establish an ongoing physician-patient relationship beyond the services agreed upon
Replace the care of your OB-GYN, primary care provider, or other treating clinicians
Constitute a guarantee of any particular outcome from genetic testing or counseling
Authorize any party other than Minneapolis Genetics to provide telehealth services to you

Genetic counseling provides education, risk assessment, and decision support. Decisions about whether to pursue testing, continue or end a pregnancy, proceed with IVF, or take any other action are yours to make.