Weight-Loss Consumer Bill of Rights & Informed Consent Addendum
This Weight-Loss Consumer Bill of Rights & Informed Consent Addendum (“Addendum”) supplements and is incorporated into the existing Terms & Conditions of Service governing the use of the Axis Health platform, website, and related services. This Addendum applies to all patients participating in weight-management, metabolic-health, nutrition, wellness, and medication-assisted weight-loss programs offered through independent licensed healthcare providers utilizing the Axis Health platform.
NOTHING IN THIS ADDENDUM REPLACES OR SUPERSEDES THE EXISTING TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY STATED HEREIN.
IMPORTANT HEALTH NOTICE
I. Weight-Loss Consumer Bill of Rights
WARNING:
Rapid weight loss may cause serious health problems. Rapid weight loss generally refers to weight loss exceeding one and one-half (1.5) to two (2) pounds per week or more than one percent (1%) of total body weight per week after the second week of participation in a weight-loss program. These guidelines are provided as a general rule; the definition of rapid weight loss may vary based on individual circumstances and specific programs.
CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN
Patients are encouraged to consult with their personal physician or another qualified healthcare provider before beginning any weight-loss, metabolic-health, nutrition, or medication-assisted program.
LONG-TERM LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Only permanent lifestyle changes, including healthier nutrition choices, behavioral modifications, physical activity, and adherence to provider recommendations, are generally associated with long-term weight management success.
PROVIDER QUALIFICATIONS
Information regarding the qualifications, licensure, and credentials of participating healthcare providers, clinicians, dietitians, nutritionists, or other applicable professionals is available upon request, subject to applicable legal and privacy limitations.
II. Patient Rights
Patients participating in Axis Health programs have the right to:
- Ask questions regarding the potential health risks, side effects, nutritional considerations, psychological support,
educational materials, medications, supplements, laboratory testing, and any other aspect of the program or treatment
plan.
- Receive information regarding the actual or estimated self-pay costs associated with the program, including consultations,
medications, laboratory testing, supplements, memberships, subscription fees, examinations, and ancillary services,
where applicable.
- Receive information regarding the anticipated or estimated duration of the program or treatment plan, recognizing that
treatment timelines may vary depending upon individual medical circumstances and provider discretion.
- Request information regarding the identity, licensure, credentials, and qualifications of healthcare professionals involved in
reviewing, approving, recommending, or managing treatment plans.
- Be treated with dignity, respect, and professionalism without discrimination.
- Participate in informed healthcare decision-making and receive information in a manner reasonably understandable to the
patient.
- Refuse treatment or discontinue participation in services to the extent permitted by law, recognizing that discontinuation
may affect clinical outcomes or eligibility for ongoing care.
- Expect reasonable privacy and confidentiality protections for protected health information in accordance with applicable
federal and state laws, including HIPAA.
- Submit complaints, concerns, or grievances regarding services received through the platform without retaliation.
- Understand that all diagnoses, prescriptions, treatment determinations, and medical decisions are made solely by
independent licensed healthcare providers exercising independent professional medical judgment.
III. Informed Consent for Weight-Management Treatment
The patient acknowledges and understands the following:
- All prescription medications, including appetite suppressants, GLP-1 medications, metabolic-health medications, and other weight-management therapies, carry potential risks, side effects, contraindications, and limitations.
- Certain medications prescribed for weight management may be prescribed in a manner that differs from manufacturer labeling, including duration of use, dosing schedules, titration protocols, or off-label treatment approaches, as determined appropriate by the treating licensed healthcare provider exercising independent medical judgment.
- The patient understands that not all uses, durations, or dosages may have been studied to the same extent as those specifically reflected within FDA-approved labeling.
- The patient understands that potential side effects and risks may include, but are not limited to, gastrointestinal symptoms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dehydration, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, allergic reactions, elevated heart rate, blood pressure changes, gallbladder complications, pancreatitis, thyroid-related concerns, psychological symptoms,
medication intolerance, and other known or unknown risks associated with weight-management medications or treatment protocols.
- The patient understands that serious adverse events, although uncommon, may occur and may require discontinuation of treatment, emergency care, hospitalization, or additional medical evaluation.
- The patient understands that remaining overweight or obese may also pose health risks, including but not limited to hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, joint disorders, sleep apnea, metabolic disease, and other medical complications.
- The patient understands that there are alternative approaches to weight management, including lifestyle modification, nutrition counseling, behavioral support, exercise programs, and other medical or non-medical interventions.
- The patient agrees to follow provider instructions carefully and to promptly report side effects, medication concerns, pregnancy, changes in medical history, or worsening symptoms to the treating provider.
- The patient understands that results vary between individuals and that no guarantee, warranty, or assurance of weight-loss outcomes, medical improvement, or treatment success has been made.
- The patient understands that continued participation in the program may require compliance with follow-up visits, laboratory testing, medical monitoring, and provider recommendations.
IV. Independent Medical Judgment
Axis Health does not practice medicine and does not direct or control the independent medical judgment of licensed healthcare
providers. All prescribing decisions, treatment recommendations, diagnoses, medical evaluations, and determinations regarding
patient eligibility are made solely by independent licensed healthcare providers or provider groups
V. Cash-Pay Services; Government Program Non-Participation
Axis Health operates its services on a strictly self-pay and cash-pay basis for programs and services offered through the platform.
Patients acknowledge and understand that Axis Health and participating providers do not accept, bill, submit claims to, participate in, or seek reimbursement from Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or other federal or state government healthcare programs for applicable weight-management, wellness, metabolic-health, nutrition, or related services unless expressly stated otherwise in writing.
Patients are solely responsible for payment of all applicable fees, charges, memberships, consultations, laboratory services, prescriptions, supplements, and ancillary services associated with participation in the program.
Upon request, patients may receive an itemized estimate or summary of anticipated service costs via email for informational purposes only. Any such estimate is not a guarantee of final charges or out-of-pocket expense.
Patients acknowledge that they are responsible for determining whether any services may qualify for reimbursement through a private insurer, health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), or other third-party benefit arrangement. Axis Health makes no representation or guarantee regarding reimbursement eligibility and cannot be responsible for assisting with reimbursement services.
VI. Patient Acknowledgment
By utilizing the Axis Health platform and participating in any weight-management or metabolic-health services, the patient acknowledges that they have reviewed and understood this Addendum, have had the opportunity to ask questions, and voluntarily consent to participation in the program and any provider-directed treatment plan.
