Policies

Terms of Service

Terms of Service & Client Agreement

Effective Date: 22 October 2025

Governing Law: The laws of St. Kitts and Nevis

Welcome to Healthful Healing, led by Dr. Florelle Hobson, a Board Certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician. These Terms of Service (TOS) govern all services provided by Healthful Healing, whether in-person or virtual. By accessing or using our services, you agree to be bound by these terms.

1. Scope of Services & Dual Model Disclaimer

Healthful Healing operates a dual model, and the services you receive depend entirely on your location and the service you select.

1.1 Lifestyle Medicine Medical Care (St. Kitts and Nevis ONLY)

This service is offered exclusively to residents of St. Kitts and Nevis, where Dr. Hobson holds a valid medical license.

Scope: This constitutes a physician-patient relationship. Services include medical assessment, ordering/interpreting labs, diagnosis, and prescription management (focused on reduction/deprescribing).
Governing Terms: MEDICAL SERVICES TERMS APPLY.

1.2 Global Health & Wellness Coaching (International & Local Coaching-Only Clients)

This service is offered to international clients and local clients who opt for a coaching-only track.

Scope: This does NOT constitute a physician-patient relationship or medical care. Services are strictly limited to education, motivation, goal setting, accountability, and behavioral change support. No medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or medication changes will be provided.
Governing Terms: COACHING SERVICES TERMS APPLY.

By engaging in Global Health & Wellness Coaching, you acknowledge and agree that Dr. Hobson is acting solely as a health coach and educator, not as your treating physician.

1.3 Website Content Disclaimer

All educational content, articles, and public information provided on the Healthful Healing website (the "Site") is for informational purposes only. This information is not intended to serve as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment for any individual health condition. You are required to review the Disclaimer text provided in the Site's footer on every page and agree that all content consumption is at your own risk.

2. Client Responsibilities (ALL Clients)

Primary Care: You must maintain a relationship with a local Primary Care Physician (PCP) or treating specialist for all acute medical issues, emergency care, routine screening, lab work, and urgent health concerns.
Emergency Care: Healthful Healing is not an emergency care provider. For all emergencies, you must immediately call your local emergency services (911, 999, or local equivalent) before contacting us.
Medication Management: Any changes to medication, supplements, or ongoing medical treatment must be discussed and approved by your local treating physician or PCP.

3. Fees, Payment, and Cancellation

Fee Structure: All services are fee-for-service. Specific pricing for packages and sessions will be detailed at the time of booking.
Payment: Full payment is required prior to the service being delivered.
Cancellation Policy: Sessions must be cancelled or rescheduled at least 48 hours in advance. Cancellations made outside this window or failure to attend a scheduled session (no-show) will result in forfeiture of the session fee.

4. Limitation of Liability and Waiver

Healthful Healing and Dr. Hobson offer evidence-based guidance, but we do not guarantee specific health outcomes. Success depends on the client’s level of commitment, adherence to lifestyle changes, and individual biological factors.

You agree that Dr. Hobson and Healthful Healing shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or exemplary damages resulting from your participation in the program or use of the information provided, particularly where the advice provided to international clients is explicitly non-medical in nature.

5. Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate services immediately if a client fails to adhere to these TOS, including but not limited to failure to pay, aggressive behavior, or requests for services outside the defined scope of practice.

6. Detailed Service Terms

The following terms further define the specific nature of the services provided under the two models described in Section 1.

6.1 Terms Specific to Lifestyle Medicine Medical Care (St. Kitts and Nevis)

Physician-Patient Relationship: A formal physician-patient relationship is established upon the initial medical consultation for this service. This relationship is governed exclusively by the medical laws and professional standards of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Medical Scope: This service includes the full scope of a licensed physician, including: diagnosis, treatment planning, ordering and interpretation of laboratory tests, management of chronic conditions (Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, Obesity), and medication management (including deprescribing).
Medical Liability: Dr. Hobson is responsible for the professional standard of care as defined by the medical laws of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Termination: The medical service relationship may be terminated by either the physician or the patient in accordance with standard medical practice guidelines.

6.2 Terms Specific to Global Health & Wellness Coaching

Non-Medical Relationship: This service establishes a client-coach relationship, not a physician-patient relationship. This distinction applies regardless of Dr. Hobson's medical credentials.
Coaching Scope: This service is limited to education, support, goal setting, accountability, and behavior modification related to the six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine.
Prohibited Activities: The Coach will not provide medical diagnosis, interpret lab results for clinical decisions, advise on discontinuing or changing medications, or treat any acute medical condition. Any health concerns must be directed to the client's local treating physician or specialist.
Coaching Liability: The Coach is not responsible for any health outcomes, complications, or adverse events resulting from the client's failure to adhere to their local physician's advice or for issues arising outside the scope of health education and behavioral support.

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 22 October 2025

Healthful Healing is committed to protecting your privacy and the confidentiality of your personal and health information. This policy describes how we collect, use, and safeguard your data, recognizing our dual service model.

1. Information Collected and Scope

We collect information necessary to provide and manage our services. The type of information collected depends on the service model you engage in:

For ALL Clients (Medical and Coaching):

Contact & Identity Data: Name, address, phone number, email address, date of birth, and client-signed agreements (TOS, Consent Forms).
Commercial Data: Payment history and billing details.

For Lifestyle Medicine Medical Care Clients (St. Kitts and Nevis ONLY):

Protected Health Information (PHI): Detailed medical history, physical assessment findings (from in-person visits), laboratory results, diagnostic information, treatment plans, medication lists, and medical progress notes. This data is subject to the strictest confidentiality standards.

For Global Health & Wellness Coaching Clients:

Non-Clinical Health Data: Lifestyle assessment forms, goal setting documentation, dietary tracking records, exercise logs, and motivational progress notes. This information is not treated as PHI and is used solely for educational and coaching support.

2. How We Store and Protect Your Information

Security Standard: We utilize secure, encrypted virtual records management systems and administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your data against unauthorized access or disclosure.
HIPAA Compliance & BAA: Our telehealth and electronic records are safeguarded through a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with Google Workspace, which ensures compliance with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) requirements.
Access Control: Access to your data is strictly limited to Dr. Hobson and necessary administrative staff required to manage your account and schedule.
Data Location: All client data, regardless of location, is stored and maintained in secure digital environments selected by Healthful Healing, with our primary operations based in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Client Risk Acknowledgment: If you choose to communicate with your health provider by channels other than the approved secure platform (e.g., standard, unencrypted social media messaging), you accept the inherent risk of exposure of your protected health information.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information exclusively for the following purposes:

To provide, manage, and deliver the specific services you have contracted for (Medical Care or Coaching).
To communicate with you regarding appointments, billing, and program updates.
For internal quality improvement, auditing, and practice management.
To comply with the laws and regulations of St. Kitts and Nevis.

4. Confidentiality and Limits

Confidentiality: We maintain strict confidentiality regarding your personal and health information. Clients with GMAIL email addresses will have access to their health provider by confidential and secure text/chat/video platform. If you choose to communicate with your health provider by any other channels, you accept the risk of threat of exposure of your protected health information.
Professional Consultation: Health providers may consult with other health professionals regarding your care. No identifying information is shared in such consultations unless a release has been obtained from you as a client.
Limits of Confidentiality (Duty to Report): Confidentiality may be breached as required by the laws of St. Kitts and Nevis and international reporting standards if there is:
- A threat of serious harm to yourself or others.
- Known or suspected physical or sexual abuse of a child.
- Abuse or neglect of the elderly or other vulnerable persons.
- A court order or legal subpoena requiring the release of information.
Consultation: Health providers may consult with other health professionals regarding your care. This allows a freedom to gain other perspectives and ideas concerning how best to help you reach your health goals. No identifying information is shared in such consultations unless a release has been obtained from you as a client.

5. Data Sharing

Healthful Healing will NEVER share, sell, rent, or trade your personal or health information to any third party for marketing purposes.

Information may be shared under the following limited circumstances:

With third-party service providers (e.g., secure payment processors, scheduling platforms) only as necessary for the functioning of the practice, and only if those providers agree to maintain confidentiality.
When a specific written consent/release form has been signed by you.
When legally required (as detailed in Section 4).

6. Website Data, Google Analytics & Cookies

We utilize Google Sites to host our website. Like most modern sites, our platform and embedded tools use cookies—small text files placed on your device—to function correctly.
Google Sites and Functionality: Cookies are used for basic website functionality, security, and remembering user preferences (e.g., screen size).
Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with our website, such as which pages are most popular and how long visitors stay. This tool collects data using performance and tracking cookies. This data is collected anonymously and is used solely to improve our website's performance and content. We do not use this data to personally identify you.
Third-Party Embeds: If you interact with embedded content on our site (such as videos or social media feeds), those third-party services may also place cookies on your browser.
Your Control: You have the ability to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline them if you prefer. Disabling cookies may prevent you from taking full advantage of the website.

7. Your Rights and Access

You have the right to request access to and receive a copy of your records, as well as request amendments or corrections to your information, in accordance with the laws of St. Kitts and Nevis.

8. Changes to this Policy

Healthful Healing reserves the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be effective immediately upon posting the updated policy on our website. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Telehealth Policy

Telehealth Policy & Consent

Effective Date: 22 October 2025

This document outlines the terms for receiving care and coaching services virtually through electronic communication technologies. By participating in a virtual session, you are providing informed consent to this Telehealth Policy.

1. Nature of Telehealth Services

Telehealth involves the use of electronic communications (video conferencing, phone, email) to transmit medical or health information. You understand that:

Not a Physical Exam: Telehealth consultations are not the same as an in-person visit and may lack certain diagnostic information that can only be obtained through direct physical examination or in-person procedures.
Technology Risk: There are inherent risks in virtual care, including poor transmission quality, technical failures (loss of internet connection), or, rarely, breaches of security. We use secure, encrypted virtual records systems to mitigate these risks, but absolute security cannot be guaranteed.

2. Scope of Service & Geographical Limitations

St. Kitts/Nevis Medical Clients: If you are receiving licensed medical care in St. Kitts or Nevis, you understand that your physician is acting within their full scope of practice under local law.
Global Coaching Clients: If you are receiving coaching services outside of St. Kitts and Nevis, you understand that Dr. Hobson is acting strictly as a coach/educator and is not providing licensed medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment in your jurisdiction. The service is educational and supportive only.

3. Client Responsibilities for Virtual Sessions

Location & Safety: You must be in a private, quiet space during your virtual session to protect your confidentiality and minimize distractions. Clients should make every effort to guard their own privacy and safety before engaging with a telehealth professional (e.g., ensure no one can overhear, ensure the environment is safe).
Equipment: Headphones are preferable to ensure privacy. You are responsible for ensuring your devices (computer/phone) and internet connection meet the necessary technical requirements for a stable session.
Identity & Verification: You agree to verify your identity at the start of each session.
Local PCP Awareness: You consent to inform your local Primary Care Physician (PCP) that you are participating in this program.

4. Key Disclaimers and Emergency Procedures

Healthful Healing is NOT a substitute for emergency services.
Emergency Procedures: If you experience a medical emergency (e.g., chest pain, severe shortness of breath, sudden bleeding), you must immediately call your local emergency number (e.g., 911, 999, or your country's equivalent). After calling emergency services, you may contact our office as a follow-up to inform us of the situation.
Risk Disclaimer: You accept that medical and coaching services offered virtually may not be comprehensive and may require local in-person follow-up, assessment, or lab work to be managed safely.

5. Right to Withdraw Consent

You have the right to withdraw your consent to participate in telehealth services at any time. You may request to transition to in-person care (if available and you are a local resident) or cease services altogether.

Disclaimer

Website Content Disclaimer

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