Date revised: November 5, 2011

Welcome to HouseDoc. We are a web-based portal that provides for private and secure communications between patients and their physicians. The following describes our terms and conditions. By clicking “I consent” below and registering on our site, you indicate that you have read and understood our terms and conditions and agree to abide and be legally bound by them. If you do not agree to the Terms of Use, then you should exit the site immediately.   HouseDoc reserves the right to post changes or modifications to the Terms of Use at any time, with the date of the most recent revisions posted on top of the page. Members should review the Terms of Use periodically. By continuing to use the service, you indicate your agreement to the changes and modifications. For purposes of the Terms of Use, the terms physician, doctor, medical provider, or provider, are used interchangeably. 

HouseDoc will try to archive records of communications for a period of one year after their occurrence, but is not responsible for maintaining the data, and reserves the right to keep or delete all communications posted on the web site. HouseDoc also reserves the right to discontinue any services or features available on its web site at any time. Our Website does not host any form of advertisement.

THIS SERVICE IS NOT INTENDED FOR URGENT MATTERS OR FOR USE IN EMERGENCIES.  IF A PATIENT HAS  AN EMERGENCY, THE PATIENT SHOULD TELEPHONE THE PHYSICIAN’S OFFICE DIRECTLY, GO TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM, OR CALL 911.

USERS

HouseDoc is designed as an electronic communications portal for physicians or other licensed medical providers, and their patients, who have an exisiting relationship, or the patients of physicians or providers that they are covering, with their mutual consent. It is not intended dor communications between patients and physicians that do not already have a relationship. 

When registering with HouseDoc, patients declare that they are at least 18 years old, have the legal right to enter into the agreement, and that the medical information they provide is accurate.  Physicians declare that they have a medical license to practice medicine in their respective state, and that they have coverage by malpractice insurance. All registrants agree not to misrepresent themselves, enter false information, or use HouseDoc services for any unlawful purpose, or to try and access unauthorized information. HouseDoc reserves the right to deny registration or the use of HouseDoc services, to anyone who infringes on HouseDoc’s policies or regulations.  

CHARGES,  REFUND POLICY, and DISBURSEMENT

Physicians or other medical providers using HouseDoc, may elect to charge a fee for certain out-of-office services. The  fee schedule will be decided by the provider and available to the respective patients. Patients will be requested to authorize payment for the ’s charge, plus a $2 transaction fee, by credit card, at the time the service is requested. Although most insurance companies do not pay for out-of-office services, patients can print a receipt of each paid transaction, in case it is reimbursable by a third party. By requesting and providing the service, patients and providers certify that they are not precluded from paying or charging for the service respectively by the patient’s insurance company, or that if patient authorization is required, than the patient knowingly so grants it.  

In cases where the provider does not provide the requested service, the patient will request a refund from the provider’s office. HouseDoc will not be responsible for refunds of  payment for services charged by the provider. 

HouseDoc will collect the fees on the behalf of the participating provider at the time the service is provided. Disbursement of the collected fees will be made by HouseDoc at the end of the month as per the medical provider's request.  A $5 administration fee will be charged at the time of disbursement. By agreeing to these terms of use, the provider hereby authorizes HouseDoc to collect fees on the behalf of the provider.

CONFIDENTIALITY, PRIVACY, MAINTENANCE, AND OWNERSHIP OF RECORDS

HouseDoc is committed to maintaining the confidentiality of all medical information and communications, in accordance with HIPAA and State regulations, and our privacy policy, which is posted on our home page and incorporated herein by reference.  By agreeing to the Terms of Use you indicate that you have read, understood, and accept our Privacy Policy. The content of communications is owned by the respective patients and physicians, and HouseDoc does not make any claims to ownership of these materials.

HouseDoc will try to archive records of communications for a period of one year after their occurrence, but is not responsible for maintaining the data, and reserves the right to keep or delete all communications posted on the web site. HouseDoc also reserves the right to discontinue any services or features available on its web site at any time. 

DISCLAIMERS, LIMITS OF LIABILITY, AND INDEMNIFICATION

By registering and using this web site, you agree to use HouseDoc service at your own risk, and assume all responsibilities and liability for the content of all your messages and communications.  You agree to indemnify and hold harmless HouseDoc, Inc. its officers, directors, employees, agents, licensors, suppliers and affiliates from all and any claims actions or demands, liabilities and settlements, resulting from, or alleged to result from your use of HouseDoc and its services.

HouseDoc does not guarantee or provide a warranty, as to whether the patient or  medical provider will read or respond to a message sent by the respective party, or that they will respond in a timely manner. HouseDoc also does not provide a warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, as to inability to use the service due to interruption of services, system malfunction, or computer viruses. When messages are unanswered or service is not available, it is advisable to contact the respective party by phone directly.

HouseDoc is not responsible for ensuring the identity of any physician or patient using the site, or ensuring that the credentials provided or medical information are correct or accurate. It is the responsibility of each patient and physician using the site to confirm that the communication is between the respective patient and physician. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE AT LAW, HOUSEDOC DISCLAIMS ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OF ANY KIND INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR USE, NON-INFRINGEMENT AND FREEDOM FROM COMPUTER VIRUS.  HOUSEDOC MAKES NO REPRESENTATION AS TO THE RELIABILITY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, COMPLETENESS OR SUITABILITY OF THE HOUSEDOC SERVICES.  HOUSEDOC SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIMS ALLEGING LOSS OF PROFIT, PERSONAL INJURY, OR WRONGFUL DEATH, RESULTING FROM MEDICAL ADVICE OR TREATMENT PROVIDED VIA THE HOUSEDOC WEBSITE, INTERRUPTION OF SERVICES, OR ERRORS IN TRANSMISSION. 

INTELECTUAL PROPERTY

The HouseDoc web site, including its design, services, software, or trademark are the property of HouseDoc Inc., and is protected by United States copyright, trademark, and intellectual property laws.  

AGREEMENT AND GOVERNING LAW

These terms of use, together with HouseDoc policies referred to herein, represents the complete agreement between you and HouseDoc LLC, regarding your use of the HouseDoc web site. The agreement shall be governed in accordance with the laws of the state of New York without giving effect to any choice of law rules.  You agree that New York County, New York shall be the sole and exclusive venue for any legal action or proceeding between HouseDoc and you for any purpose.