Privacy, terms & refunds

1. Privacy

What we collect on this website

• Free kit and email sign-ups: your email address and the state you live in. We use them to send what you asked for and occasional updates, and to tell you when we serve your state.
• Messages you send us: your name, email address and what you write. Please don't send health information by email or through this website.
• Technical information: our hosting provider (Cloudflare) processes basic connection data, such as IP address and browser type, to deliver the site securely and protect it from attacks.

This website does not use advertising trackers, analytics cookies or social media pixels. Your browser stores a small setting (for example, that you've already seen our sign-up pop-up) on your own device; you can clear it at any time in your browser settings.

When you become a client

Health information, intake forms, session notes, messages, appointments and payments are handled in our secure client platform (Healthie), which is designed for healthcare and contractually bound to protect your information. Card payments are processed by Stripe; we never see or store your full card number. We protect your health information in line with HIPAA standards and applicable state laws, including California's Confidentiality of Medical Information Act, and you'll receive our Notice of Privacy Practices before your first appointment.

How we share information

• We do not sell your personal information or health information, and we do not use it for targeted advertising.
• We share it only with service providers that help us run the practice (such as Healthie, Stripe, Google Workspace, Cloudflare and MailerLite), under contracts that limit their use of it; with your prescriber or other clinicians when you ask us to or agree; or when required by law.

Your choices and rights

• You can unsubscribe from emails at any time using the link in each email.
• You can ask to see, correct or delete the personal information we hold about you by emailing [email protected]. We'll respond within 45 days. Some client records must be kept for a period required by law; if so, we'll explain what we keep and why.
• Our services are for adults aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect information from children.

Security

We use encryption, access controls and two-step verification on our business accounts. No system is perfectly secure; if a breach affects your information, we'll notify you as required by law.

2. Consumer health data privacy policy

This section is for residents of states with consumer health data laws, including Washington (My Health My Data Act), Nevada and Connecticut, and applies to health information not otherwise covered by HIPAA.

• What we collect: health-related information you give us as a client, such as your medications, health history, symptoms, eating habits, weight and body-composition results, goals and session notes. On this website we collect only your email address and state, which we do not treat as health data.
• Where it comes from: directly from you, and from your prescriber or other clinicians if you ask them to share it with us.
• Why we use it: only to provide the nutrition services you request, to communicate with you, to coordinate with your clinicians with your consent, for billing, and to meet legal and professional obligations.
• Who we share it with: the service providers listed in section 1 (as processors acting on our instructions) and, with your consent, your prescriber or other clinicians. We do not sell consumer health data.
• Consent: we ask for your consent before collecting your health data at intake, and you can withdraw it at any time (this may mean we can no longer provide services).
• Your rights: you can confirm whether we hold your consumer health data, access it, see the list of third parties it has been shared with, have it deleted, and withdraw consent. Email [email protected] with "Health data request" in the subject line. We'll respond within 45 days.
• Appeals: if we decline your request, you can appeal by replying to our decision within 30 days. We'll respond to your appeal within 45 days. If you're not satisfied, you can contact your state Attorney General.

3. Terms of service

• Eligibility: you must be 18 or older and physically located, at the time of each session, in a state where our dietitians are authorized to provide care. We'll confirm your location at the start of each video session; if you're elsewhere, we'll reschedule.
• Accurate information: please give us complete and accurate information about your health and medications, and tell us about any changes. Our advice depends on it.
• Your account: keep your client portal login secure and don't share it.
• Communication: secure messages are answered within 1 business day during your program (2 business days for Lantern Continue). Messaging is not for urgent or emergency issues.
• Recording: sessions may not be recorded by either party without the other's written consent.
• Our materials: meal plans, guides and other materials are for your personal use. Please don't copy, share or sell them.
• Website content: articles and other content on this website are general education, not personal medical or nutrition advice, and don't create a dietitian-client relationship.
• Ending services: we may end services if you are abusive, provide false information, or if continuing would be unsafe or outside our scope. If we end services for reasons other than your breach of these terms, we'll refund any unused, prepaid portion.
• Trademarks: Wegovy, Ozempic, Saxenda and Victoza are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Zepbound and Mounjaro are registered trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company. Lantern is not affiliated with or endorsed by these companies.

4. Telehealth and scope of care

• Our Registered Dietitian Nutritionists provide medical nutrition therapy, nutrition counseling and education by video and secure messaging. By booking, you consent to receiving care through telehealth. Telehealth has limits compared with in-person care (for example, we can't perform a physical exam), and your dietitian may recommend that you see another clinician in person.
• We do not diagnose medical conditions, prescribe, dose, sell or supply medications, or tell you to start, stop or change a medication. Your prescriber manages your medication. With your consent, we may share relevant observations with them.
• Our services are not a substitute for care from your physician or prescriber, and are not suitable for emergencies. If you think you're having a medical emergency, call 911. If you're having thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).
• Results vary from person to person. We don't guarantee any particular weight, body-composition or medical outcome.

5. Payments, cancellations and refunds

• 3-month programs (Lantern Thrive and Lantern Landing) are paid in full when you join. Prices are shown in US dollars on our website at the time you buy.
• Change of mind: if you cancel within 7 days of buying a 3-month program and before your first assessment, we'll refund you in full. After your assessment, program fees are not refundable, except under our guarantees below or if we end services as described in section 3.
• Moving or medical reasons: if you move to a state we don't serve, or need to pause for medical reasons, contact us. We can pause your program for up to 30 days, or refund the unused portion on a pro-rated basis.
• Founding-client price: available to the first 20 clients who join a 3-month program by January 31, 2027 ($599 Lantern Thrive; $549 Lantern Landing; paid in full). It applies to that program only and can't be combined with other offers.
• Automatic renewal (month-to-month plans and Lantern Continue): these plans renew automatically every month, and your card is charged the then-current monthly price on the same date each month until you cancel. We'll show you these terms and ask for your agreement before you subscribe, and send you a confirmation by email. You can cancel online at any time, and cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing month; there are no partial-month refunds. If the price changes, we'll tell you at least 30 days before it applies.
• Lantern Continue is available by invitation after you complete a 3-month program.
• Missed or late-cancelled sessions: sessions cancelled or rescheduled with less than 24 hours' notice, or missed, may be counted as used. We'll make reasonable exceptions for emergencies.
• Billing errors: if you think you've been charged in error, email us within 60 days and we'll investigate and correct any mistake.
• HSA, FSA and superbills: you can pay with an HSA or FSA card, and we can provide a superbill for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Eligibility and reimbursement are decided by your plan, and we can't guarantee them. Some plans ask for a letter of medical necessity from your prescriber.

Our guarantees

• Feel-Better Promise (Lantern Thrive): if you attended your sessions, logged your meals and symptoms at least 5 days a week and followed your Side-Effect SOS plan, and your nausea or constipation has not improved within 14 days, we provide up to 2 additional 30-minute sessions at no cost. It must be requested during your program, can be used once per client, and does not apply to symptoms that need medical care or a change in medication dose, which your prescriber manages.
• Do-the-Work Guarantee (both 3-month programs): if you attend your scheduled sessions and log meals at least 5 days a week, and are not consistently reaching your agreed protein target by the end of your first month, we'll refund one-third of your program price. Request it in writing within 14 days after the end of your first month. Available once per client.
• Guarantees relate to our support and to behaviors within your control. They don't promise specific weight, body-composition or medical outcomes.

6. Your right to a Good Faith Estimate

You have the right to receive a "Good Faith Estimate" explaining how much your care will cost. Under federal law, health care providers need to give patients who don't have insurance, or who are not using insurance, an estimate of the expected charges for services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency services, in writing, at least 1 business day before your scheduled service, or when you ask. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises, or call 1-800-985-3059.

7. Disputes and liability

• Talk to us first: if you have a concern, please email us. Most issues can be resolved quickly. If not, either of us may bring a claim in a court of competent jurisdiction, including small claims court.
• Governing law: these terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without affecting any protections you have under the laws of the state where you live.
• Limits: to the extent permitted by law, we're not liable for indirect or consequential losses, and our total liability for any claim relating to the website or our services is limited to the amount you paid us in the 12 months before the claim. Nothing in these terms limits liability that can't be limited by law, including for negligence in providing professional care, fraud or willful misconduct.
• Website availability: we aim to keep the website accurate and available but can't promise it will always be error-free or uninterrupted.
• Changes: we may update these terms. We'll post the updated version here with a new date, and tell current clients by email about material changes before they take effect. Changes won't apply retroactively to programs you've already paid for.
• If any part of these terms is found unenforceable, the rest remains in effect.

8. Accessibility and nondiscrimination

We want our website and services to be usable by everyone, and we don't discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. If you have difficulty using the website or need an accommodation, please contact us.

9. Contact

Lantern Nutrition LLC, California · [email protected]