Learn About Telehealth Appointment Options

What Telehealth Means and How It Works

Telehealth is a way to receive medical care using technology instead of going to a doctor's office in person. The term covers several different types of remote healthcare services, from video appointments with doctors to text-based conversations with nurses. When you use telehealth, you can stay in your home, at work, or anywhere with internet access while still talking to a healthcare provider.

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The basic process works like this: you use a computer, tablet, or smartphone with a camera and microphone to connect with your doctor or healthcare provider through a secure video platform. The provider can see and hear you, ask questions about your symptoms, review your medical history, and make recommendations. Some telehealth services also let you send photos or documents to your provider before or after your visit. According to the American Medical Association, telehealth visits increased from about 1% of all doctor visits before 2020 to around 38% during the pandemic, showing how widely this option has been adopted.

Different types of telehealth services exist for different situations. Video visits are best for conditions that don't require hands-on examination, like discussing medication side effects, following up on test results, or managing chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Phone visits work when you don't have reliable internet but still want to talk to a provider. Store-and-forward visits let you send information like photos of a skin rash to a dermatologist who reviews it later and sends back their thoughts. Asynchronous messaging allows you to message your doctor's office with non-urgent questions and get responses within a few hours or days.

Practical takeaway: Telehealth isn't one single thing—it's a range of options for remote care. Understanding which type fits your situation helps you choose what works best for your needs.

Common Types of Telehealth Appointments and What They're Used For

Video visits represent the most common telehealth option and work well for many medical situations. During a video appointment, you and your provider can see each other face-to-face through a screen. This type of visit is suitable for routine check-ups, discussing new or ongoing symptoms, reviewing medication effectiveness, getting prescriptions refilled, and receiving follow-up care after a hospital visit or procedure. The American Telemedicine Association reports that video visits are particularly helpful for managing chronic diseases like asthma, arthritis, and depression, where regular check-ins matter but invasive physical exams aren't always necessary.

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Phone-only appointments don't require any camera or video capability—just a regular phone call with your healthcare provider. These are useful when internet quality is poor, when you don't have a device with a camera, or when the conversation doesn't require visual information. Phone visits work well for discussing symptoms over the phone, getting results from recent lab work, asking questions about your medications, or talking with a mental health counselor. Many insurance plans cover phone visits the same way they cover in-person visits.

Some telehealth platforms offer asynchronous or "store-and-forward" services, where you don't talk to a provider in real time. Instead, you submit information—like photos, descriptions of symptoms, or medical records—and a provider reviews it when they have time and sends back a response, usually within 24 to 48 hours. This works particularly well for dermatology concerns like moles or rashes, follow-up questions that aren't urgent, or reviewing lab results. It's also less expensive than live visits because it takes less of the provider's time.

Hybrid appointments combine in-person and remote care. For example, you might have bloodwork or a physical exam done at a local lab or clinic, then have a video visit with your doctor to discuss the results. This approach lets providers gather information they need while still reducing your travel time.

Practical takeaway: Match the type of telehealth to your situation—video for most visits, phone when internet isn't available, store-and-forward for non-urgent concerns, and hybrid when some in-person testing is needed.

Technology Requirements and Setup for Telehealth Visits

Starting a telehealth visit requires just a few basic things. For video appointments, you need a device with a camera and microphone—this could be a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. You also need a stable internet connection with a reasonable speed; most telehealth platforms recommend at least 2.5 megabits per second for video calls. According to the FCC, about 21 million Americans still lack access to broadband internet at those speeds, which is why phone-only and asynchronous options remain important alternatives.

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Before your appointment, test your technology to avoid problems. Check that your camera and microphone work by opening the platform a few minutes early. Make sure your internet connection is strong—if possible, use a wired connection rather than Wi-Fi, as it's more stable. Close other programs or browser tabs that might slow down your connection. Download any app your provider requires ahead of time rather than trying to do it during your appointment window.

Privacy and a good location matter for telehealth visits. Choose a quiet, well-lit space where you can speak without being overheard if you're discussing medical information. Sit at a comfortable distance from your camera—about arm's length away works well. Make sure your face is visible and that there's enough light from the front rather than backlighting, which can make your face look dark. You don't need a fancy background; healthcare providers are used to seeing homes, cars, and offices.

Different telehealth platforms have different requirements. Some are built into your healthcare provider's existing patient portal—you just log in and click on your appointment. Others use well-known platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Some companies offer their own apps you download from Apple or Google's app stores. Check your appointment confirmation email or call your provider's office to find out which platform they use and whether you need to download anything before the visit.

Practical takeaway: Test your setup at least 10 minutes before your appointment time. Have your internet connection working, camera and microphone functional, and choose a quiet, private space.

How to Find and Schedule Telehealth Appointments

Telehealth options are offered through several different types of providers. Your existing doctor's office may offer video visits as an option. If you use a health insurance plan, check the plan's website or call the customer service number on your insurance card to learn which providers in your network offer telehealth. Your employer may also offer telehealth through an employee health program. Many traditional hospitals and clinics now advertise their telehealth services on their websites, making it easy to see if your provider participates.

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Dedicated telehealth companies represent another major option. These are businesses built specifically around remote care, without physical office locations. Examples include platforms focused on urgent care visits, mental health counseling, dermatology consultations, and prescription refills. These companies typically make scheduling easy through a website or app—you choose your visit type, pick an available time, and get connected with a provider. Many of these services let you see a provider quickly, sometimes within hours, though you may not see the same doctor every time.

When looking for telehealth services, consider whether you want continuity with a doctor who knows your medical history or whether you just need care for an immediate issue. If you have ongoing medical conditions, working with your regular doctor's telehealth service keeps your care coordinated. If you need urgent care for something like a cold, urinary tract infection, or minor injury, a dedicated telehealth company may be faster and simpler.

Scheduling usually involves a few steps. Many providers let you schedule online through their website or app—you pick a date, time, and sometimes the reason for your visit. Some require you to call to schedule. Before booking, verify that the service is covered by your insurance and whether there's a copay or cost. Have your insurance information ready when scheduling. Some telehealth services require you to create an account and fill out a health history form, which you can often do before your appointment time.

Practical takeaway: Start by asking your regular doctor if they offer telehealth, then check with your insurance plan for covered options. For urgent issues, look into dedicated telehealth companies that offer quick scheduling.

Cost, Insurance Coverage, and What to Expect for Payment

The cost of telehealth visits varies significantly based on how you pay and which service you use. If you have health insurance, many plans cover telehealth visits the same way they cover in-person visits—you pay a copay (

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