Terms and Conditions

Welcome to the Stellar Pathology Consultation services online ordering website (“Website”). These Terms and Conditions (“T&Cs”), along with any other documents referred to herein, govern the legal relationship between you (“the Patient” or “the Client”) and Stellar Pathology (“we,” “us,” or “our”).

Please read these T&Cs carefully before using our services. By accessing or using any part of our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these T&Cs.

If you do not agree with these Terms and Conditions, please do not use the Website or the Services.

Scope of Services

Stellar Pathology offers pathology consultation services including, but not limited to, second opinions, diagnostic evaluations, and subspecialty pathology consultations across various medical fields, including surgical pathology, dermatopathology, gastrointestinal pathology, gynecologic pathology, and molecular diagnostics. Our diagnostic services are provided by board-certified pathologists.

Our services are intended for medical consultation purposes and to support healthcare providers in making informed clinical decisions. Our pathology reports are provided as expert second opinions and do not replace the clinical judgment of your primary healthcare provider or original pathology diagnostic reports.

Website Usage

By accessing or using our Website, you agree to use it in compliance with all applicable local, state, Federal, and international laws. You further agree:

• Not to use the Website for any unlawful purposes.
• Not to interfere with the Website’s functionality or compromise its security.
• Not to transmit or distribute any viruses or harmful components through the Website.
• Not to use automation software systems, such as bots, to access or interact with the Website.

Stellar Pathology reserves the right to terminate or limit your access to the Website if you violate these terms or engage in unlawful activities.

Consultations and Service Delivery

Pathology consultations at Stellar Pathology can be initiated by healthcare providers or patients seeking a second opinion. Once we receive the necessary medical records, previously laboratory-processed pathology specimens and/or samples, our team will review the materials and provide a diagnostic report.

Consultations are primarily conducted through electronic communication and/or other secure method of transmission. We are not responsible for delays caused by incomplete or missing information provided by the Client.

Our consultation services involve reviewing diagnostic specimens provided by the Client. Stellar Pathology may utilize advanced techniques to assess the materials and deliver findings to the referring healthcare provider within a predefined time frame.

Limitations on Scope of Responsibility: While Stellar Pathology ensures that all diagnostic evaluations are conducted accurately and timely, our reports are intended to provide expert second opinions only. The ultimate responsibility for interpreting the results and making treatment decisions rests with the primary healthcare provider. Stellar Pathology does not assume responsibility for the outcome of any medical treatments based on the consultation results. Healthcare providers and patients should not rely solely on our reports without consulting with the treating physician to determine the appropriate course of action.

Client/Patient Responsibilities

• Accurate Information: You are responsible for providing accurate, complete, and up-to-date medical information, samples, and any other required materials for us to deliver our pathology consultation services effectively.
• Compliance: Clients must comply with all relevant laws and professional guidelines concerning patient data and specimen submissions.
• Follow-up: After receiving your pathology report, you are responsible for discussing the results with your primary healthcare provider. We do not manage direct follow-up care after delivering the consultation report.

Stellar Pathology’s Obligations

• Professional Standards: We are committed to maintaining high standards of accuracy, professionalism, and confidentiality in all of our diagnostic evaluations.
• Data Protection: We comply with HIPAA and relevant privacy standards to safeguard patient information shared with us.

Payment and Fees

• Services Fees: Service fees are outlined in our fee schedule and are subject to change. The itemized service fees on the website cover only the consultation services on previously prepared H&E stained materials and does not cover any additional investigative workup. Patient may incur additional fees for any additional workup including immunohistochemical stains and other diagnostic investigations even if these materials are prepared elsewhere but are interpreted by our consultant physicians. Payments must be made prior to the issuance of diagnostic results unless other arrangements are made. Non-payment may lead to suspension of services.

• Billing and Payment: All payments are due at the time of service or as specified in the Service Agreement. We accept payment through approved methods such as credit cards, wire transfers, or other online payment systems.

• Refunds: Due to the nature of our services, all fees are non-refundable once the consultation process has begun unless otherwise stated in our Refund Policy.

Refund Policy

Patients may request refunds under the following conditions:

• If Stellar Pathology is unable to complete the consultation process due to a failure of the laboratory that prevents us from performing the consultation process within ninety days if an investigation determines that such failure is solely due to a fault of Stellar Pathology. 
• Refunds are not available once the consultation process has begun.

Please refer to our Refund Policy for more details.

​​Privacy, Confidentiality, and Data Security

Stellar Pathology is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal and medical information in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Illinois state privacy laws. We understand the sensitive nature of the data you provide and take all necessary steps to safeguard it.

• Data Collection and Use: By using our services, you consent to the collection, processing, and use of your personal and medical information as outlined in our Privacy Policy. This includes how we gather, store, and use your data for the purpose of providing pathology consultation services.

• Confidentiality: All client-provided information, including medical records, specimens, and personal data, will be treated as confidential. Stellar Pathology will not disclose identifiable patient information to third parties without proper authorization unless required by law.

• Data Security Measures: We employ a range of security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or alteration. These include secure data transmission methods, encryption, and restricted access protocols to ensure compliance with HIPAA and relevant privacy laws.

For more details, please refer to our Privacy Policy  which elaborates on how we manage, protect, and share your data under these legal frameworks.

Intellectual Property

All content and materials provided on the Website, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, audio clips, digital downloads, data compilations, and software (collectively, “Content”), are the property of Stellar Pathology or its content suppliers and are protected by U.S. and international copyright laws.

You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use the Website and its Content for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not:

• Reproduce, modify, distribute, or create derivative works from the Content.
• Use the Content for any commercial purposes without express written consent.
• Use any data mining, robots, or similar automated data-gathering or extraction tools.

Any unauthorized use of the Content or the Website may result in the termination of your access to the Website and legal action.

Limitation of Liability & Disclaimer of Medical Advice

Stellar Pathology provides second-opinion pathology consultation services intended to support healthcare providers in making informed decisions. However, the information and reports provided through our Services are for and professional guidance only. They are not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment by your primary healthcare provider or replace original pathology diagnostic reports.

• Medical Disclaimer: The pathology reports and consultations offered by Stellar Pathology do not constitute medical advice and should not be solely relied upon for making treatment decisions. Clients must consult their treating physician or healthcare provider before making any clinical decisions based on the information provided. Stellar Pathology’s second opinions are intended to assist and complement the primary healthcare provider’s diagnostic and treatment decisions.

• No Warranty: Stellar Pathology’s Services are provided on an “as-is” and “as available” basis. We make no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of the Services or information provided.

• Limitation of Liability: Stellar Pathology is not responsible for any adverse outcomes resulting from the Client’s reliance on the diagnostic reports or services provided. We shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, incidental, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, or use, arising out of or in connection with your use of our Services or reliance on the diagnostic information provided.

This includes but is not limited to, any errors or omissions in the content, loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of using the Website, Services, or any reliance on the information provided through our pathology consultations.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Stellar Pathology and its affiliates, employees, officers, directors, agents, and licensors shall not be liable for any claims or damages, whether in contract, tort, strict liability, or otherwise, arising from or in connection with your use of the Website or Services.

For more details, please read our full Disclaimer .

Indemnification

You agree to protect and defend Stellar Pathology, along with its affiliates, officers, employees, agents, and licensors, from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable attorney fees) that arise from your violation of these Terms and Conditions or your use of our Services.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, USA, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any legal action or proceeding related to the use of the Website or Services must be brought exclusively in the federal or state courts located in Peoria County, Illinois. The parties agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of these courts for any legal proceedings arising hereunder.

International and Out-of-State Users: If you access or use our Services from outside Illinois or the United States, you agree to comply with all applicable local laws, regulations, and standards in your jurisdiction. By using Stellar Pathology’s Services, you acknowledge and accept that Illinois laws govern these Terms and Conditions, and you consent to jurisdiction in Illinois regardless of where you are located.

Stellar Pathology makes no representations that its Services are appropriate or available for use in other locations. Those who choose to access the Website from other locations do so at their own initiative and are responsible for compliance with local laws.

Force Majeure

Stellar Pathology will not be liable for any delay or failure to perform its obligations under this Agreement if such delay or failure arises from events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, acts of government, war, terrorism, labour strikes, or Internet or communication outages.

Termination

Stellar Pathology reserves the right to terminate or suspend your access to the Website and Services at any time, without notice, for conduct that it believes violates this Agreement or is harmful to its business interests or other users.

Entire Agreement

These Terms and Conditions, along with our Privacy Policy and Refund Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Stellar Pathology regarding the use of the Website and Services. This Agreement supersedes any prior agreements, communications, or understandings, whether oral or written.

Amendments to Terms

Stellar Pathology reserves the right to amend or modify these T&Cs at any time without prior notice. Any changes will be posted on our website, and continued use of our services after any such changes have been made will constitute acceptance of the new terms.

Contact Information

For questions or further information about our Terms, please contact us at:

Stellar Pathology

Phone: +1 (888) 818-2158

Email: info@stellarpathology.com