Terms of Use

Acceptance of these terms

These Terms of Use ("Terms") govern your use of the Northtide Health website and the online tools we make available, including our appointment request form ("the Site"). By using the Site, you agree to these Terms and to our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.

The healthcare services we provide to you as a patient are also governed by the consent forms, financial policies, and other agreements you sign when you become a patient, and by our Notice of Privacy Practices.

Emergencies

No medical advice through the website

The information on the Site — including descriptions of services, conditions, and "Know where to go" guidance — is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for an evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional.

Using the Site or submitting an appointment request does not by itself create a provider–patient relationship. A provider–patient relationship begins only when a Northtide Health clinician agrees to provide care to you, typically at your first visit. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read on the Site.

Telehealth services

Northtide Health currently provides care by secure video visit. If you become a patient, you will be asked to review and sign our Telehealth Informed Consent. In general:

Eligibility

• You must be physically located in Maryland at the time of each visit, because our clinicians are licensed to provide care there.
• We care for patients ages 1 to 99. A parent or legal guardian must request care for, and generally join visits with, patients under 18, except where Maryland law allows a minor to consent to care on their own.
• You must provide accurate identity, contact, and insurance information.

Technology and privacy

• You need a phone, tablet, or computer with a camera, microphone, and reliable internet connection.
• Please join from a private, well-lit location where you are comfortable discussing your health.
• A video visit may be recorded only with your consent, as described in our Telehealth Informed Consent. Please do not record a visit yourself without your clinician's agreement.

Limits of telehealth

• Some conditions cannot be safely diagnosed or treated without an in-person examination, test, or procedure. Your clinician will decide whether telehealth is appropriate for your needs and may refer you for in-person care, laboratory testing, imaging, or specialist evaluation.
• If technology fails during a visit, we will try to reconnect or complete the visit by phone, or reschedule.

Prescriptions and lab tests

• Prescribing decisions are made by your clinician based on clinical judgment and applicable law. We cannot guarantee that any particular medication will be prescribed.
• Certain medications, including some controlled substances, are subject to special federal and Maryland rules for telehealth prescribing and may require additional evaluation, an in-person visit, or may not be prescribed through telehealth.
• Prescriptions are sent electronically to the pharmacy you choose. Lab tests are ordered to a participating laboratory near you; you are responsible for completing ordered tests.

Appointments, cancellations, and communications

• Submitting an appointment request does not guarantee an appointment. We will contact you to confirm a time.
• If you need to cancel or reschedule, please let us know at least 24 hours in advance by calling (443) 399-3123, so we can offer the time to another patient. Any fees for missed appointments or late cancellations are explained in our Financial Policy.
• By providing your contact information, you agree that we may contact you by phone, text message, and email about your appointment request and care, as described in our Privacy Policy. You can opt out of text messages at any time by replying STOP.

Insurance, payment, and price estimates

• We currently accept CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Medicare, Medicaid, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna, and offer self-pay options. Coverage varies by plan, so please verify your benefits before your visit.
• You are responsible for any copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and charges not covered by your health plan, as explained in our Financial Policy.

Acceptable use of the Site

You agree to use the Site only for lawful purposes and in a way that does not infringe the rights of others. You agree not to:

• Submit false or misleading information, or request appointments on behalf of someone without their authority
• Impersonate any person or misrepresent your affiliation with any person or organization
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Site, our systems, or other users' information
• Upload or transmit viruses, malware, or any harmful code
• Use automated tools (such as bots or scrapers) to access, copy, or submit content to the Site without our written permission
• Interfere with or disrupt the Site's operation or security
• Send spam, harassing, threatening, or abusive content to Northtide Health or its staff

We may suspend access to the Site or decline requests that violate these Terms.

Intellectual property

The Site and its content — including text, graphics, logos, illustrations, design, and the Northtide Health name — are owned by Northtide Health or its licensors and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other laws. You may view and print pages for your personal, non-commercial use, such as keeping a copy of our policies. You may not otherwise copy, modify, distribute, or create derivative works from the Site without our prior written permission.

Third-party links and services

The Site may link to or integrate with third-party websites and services, such as our patient portal, telehealth platform, online payment, laboratories, and government resources. These are provided for your convenience. We are not responsible for the content, policies, or practices of third-party websites, and your use of them is subject to their own terms.

Disclaimers

We work to keep the information on the Site accurate and up to date, but the Site is provided "as is" and "as available." To the fullest extent permitted by law, Northtide Health disclaims all warranties, express or implied, regarding the Site, including warranties of accuracy, completeness, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We do not guarantee that the Site will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of harmful components.

Nothing in these Terms limits any rights you have under applicable law, or any professional duty Northtide Health and its clinicians owe you as a patient.

Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Northtide Health and its owners, clinicians, employees, and vendors will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of, or inability to use, the Site or its content. This limitation applies to your use of the website only. It does not apply to the healthcare services you receive from us, which are governed by applicable professional standards and law.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Northtide Health and its owners, clinicians, employees, and agents from any claims, losses, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from your violation of these Terms or your misuse of the Site, to the extent permitted by law.

Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any dispute relating to these Terms or the Site will be brought in the state or federal courts located in Maryland, and you consent to the jurisdiction of those courts.

General terms and changes

• Changes. We may update these Terms from time to time. Changes are effective when posted on this page with a new "Last updated" date. Your continued use of the Site means you accept the updated Terms.
• Severability. If any part of these Terms is found unenforceable, the rest will remain in effect.
• No waiver. Our failure to enforce any part of these Terms is not a waiver of our right to do so later.
• Entire agreement. These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Notice of Privacy Practices, are the entire agreement between you and Northtide Health about your use of the Site.