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What Does Telehealth Care Mean?

Telehealth is the use of digital information and communication technologies, such as computers and mobile devices, to access health care services remotely and manage your health care. These may be technologies you use from home or that your doctor uses to improve or support health care services.
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‹ For patients

What is telehealth?

Hearing a lot about telehealth lately? Connecting with your doctor online is a great way to get the health care you need from the comfort and safety of your own home.

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What does telehealth mean?

telehealth — sometimes called telemedicine — lets your doctor provide care for you without an in-person office visit. telehealth is done primarily online with internet access on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.

There are several options for telehealth care:

Talk to your doctor live over the phone or video chat. Send and receive messages from your doctor using secure messaging, email, secure messaging, and secure file exchange. Use remote monitoring so your doctor can check on you at home. For example, you might use a device to gather vital signs or other vitals to help your doctor stay informed on your progress.

There are many options to access telehealth if you don’t have a stable internet connection or device connected to the internet. Read more about how to get help with access to telehealth.

Did you know?

Recent federal policy changes about technology use now allow you to receive care using popular video chat programs that you may already be using. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, doctors may use Apple FaceTime, Facebook Messenger video chat, Google Hangouts video, Zoom, or Skype.

Ask your doctor what they use at their office.

What types of care can I get using telehealth?

You can get a variety of specialized care through telehealth. telehealth is especially helpful to monitor and improve ongoing health issues, such as medication changes or chronic health conditions.

Your doctor will decide whether telehealth is right for your health needs. Ask your doctor’s office what your telehealth options are, especially if you concerned about the health risk of COVID-19.

Common telehealth care options include:

Lab test or x-ray results Therapy and online counseling Recurring conditions like migraines or urinary tract infections Skin conditions Prescription management Urgent care issues like colds, coughs, and stomach aches Post-surgical follow-up

Tip: Are you new to telehealth? Get tips and information on the basics of telehealth.

Your doctor may also ask you to send information that will help improve your health:

Your weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, or vital information Images of a wound, or eye or skin condition A diary or document of your symptoms Medical records that may be filed with another doctor, such as X-rays

Doctors can send you information to manage your health at home:

Notifications or reminders to do rehabilitation exercises or take medication New suggestions for improving diet, mobility, or stress management Detailed instructions on how to continue your care at home Encouragement to stick with your treatment plan

Benefits of telehealth

Virtual visits are growing in popularity. Though in-person office visits may be necessary in certain cases, there are many benefits of telehealth care.

Limited physical contact reduces everyone’s exposure to COVID-19 Virtual visits ensure you get health care wherever you are located – at home, at work or even in your car Virtual visits cut down on travel, time off from work, and the need for child care Virtual health care tools can shorten the wait for an appointment Increased access to specialists who are located far away from your hometown

telehealth is not a perfect fit for everyone or every medical condition. Make sure you discuss any disadvantages or risks with your doctor.

Get tips for finding a doctor who provides telehealth.

telehealth: What to Know for Your Family (PDF) — from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid

Disclaimer: The reference to named video- and text-based communications software for telehealth is informational and not intended as an endorsement of those services.

Last updated: February 24, 2022

11 Related questions Answers found

What is telehealth and how does it work

Telehealth is the use of digital information and communication technologies, such as computers and mobile devices, to access health care services remotely and manage your health care. These may be technologies you use from home or that your doctor uses to improve or support health care services. Consider, for example, the ways telehealth could ...

What is the key benefit of telehealth

Increased spending. Telehealth waivers can increase spending in both programs, if telehealth services are furnished in addition to in-person services. Program integrity. The suspension of some program safeguards has increased the risks of fraud, waste, and abuse that GAO previously noted in its High-Risk report series. Beneficiary health and safety. ...

What's the difference between telemedicine and telehealth?

Telehealth is different from telemedicine in that it refers to a broader scope of remote health care services than telemedicine. Telemedicine refers specifically to remote clinical services, while telehealth can refer to remote non-clinical services.

What is telehealth vs telemedicine

Telehealth would include all the telemedicine examples above plus activities such as: A primary care doctor sending patient exam notes, medical history, and X-rays to a specialist through a secure email messaging system An institution delivering continuing medical education lectures to doctors who live in rural areas A team of doctors, nurses, and specialists meeting through a video platform to coordinate a patient’s care

How do you use telehealth

Telemedicine providers face unique challenges in complying ... As noted above with respect to the model Disclosure Notice, use of the standard Notice and Consent is an indication of good faith compliance. If an individual schedules an item or service ...

Are phone calls considered telehealth?

Generally, telemedicine is not an audio-only, telephone conversation, e-mail/instant messaging conversation, or fax.

What equipment is needed for telehealth?

It should have a computer with sufficient access, video equipment, power supply (battery to allow for mobility) and peripherals with storage. A mobile unit will allow telemedicine services to move within a clinic so that multiple rooms are used for patients. Costs vary widely based on equipment and capacity.

How is telehealth done?

Making use of telemedicine services is very easy. Traditionally, the service uses an online account or a toll-free phone number. Patients request a visit, submitting basic information on their condition, and then the physician either accepts or declines the visit, or schedules it for the future.

Is telehealth a video?

Telehealth is a broad term for health services rendered remotely using communication technology, not limited to medical consultations. ... Essentially, telemedicine is like a visit to a healthcare provider, but virtually, usually via video-conferencing.

How can telehealth be used?

Telehealth is the use of communications technologies to provide health care from a distance. These technologies may include computers, cameras, videoconferencing, the Internet, and satellite and wireless communications.

Does telehealth include email?

Types of telehealth. Telehealth includes video visits, phone calls, online communication, and storing patient data. Your practice may provide telehealth services using email or sharing lab results in a secure patient portal.