Can you see a doctor at home? How telemedicine can be your health guardian

What does telehealth mean?

Telehealth (sometimes called telemedicine) lets you see a doctor without having to go to the doctor's office. You can do a telehealth visit online using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Telehealth lets you:

• Talk to your healthcare provider over the phone or video.

• Securely message your healthcare provider.

• Use technology to track your healthcare so you can share information like your blood pressure with your healthcare provider.

What are the benefits of telehealth?

A telehealth visit is like a regular visit, but you are in one place and your healthcare provider is in another. While there may be times when you need to see your healthcare provider in person, telehealth has many benefits.

• It keeps you and other people from getting sick from being near each other.

• You can see your healthcare provider anywhere: at home, at work, or even in your car.

• It saves time because you don't have to travel, take time off, or find someone to watch your children.

• You can get an appointment faster.

• You have more options. You can visit a healthcare provider who is far away from you.

What are the different types of telehealth?

Telehealth can be used in a variety of different ways:

• Talk to your healthcare provider over the phone or via video.

• Send and receive messages from your healthcare provider.

• Use tools to collect your health data. You can use technology to track and share health data with your provider. This is often called remote patient monitoring.

What conditions can be treated with telehealth?

Technology allows you to check on your health from home. This is called “remote patient monitoring,” or “RPM” for short. It’s an effective way to manage your health conditions. Some common health issues that RPM can track include:

• High blood pressure

• Blood sugar levels for diabetes

• Weight

• Heart problems

• Breathing problems

• Sleep problems

• Asthma

How do I schedule a telehealth appointment?

Many different types of health care providers are now using telehealth. Find out how to schedule an appointment with them.

Check to see if your health care provider offers telehealth services. When you call, you can ask:

▸ Do you do telehealth visits?

▸ What health issues can you treat via telehealth?

▸ Is telehealth right for my health issue?

▸ How do I schedule a telehealth visit?

Can I find telehealth services through my insurance?

Your health insurance company can help you find a health care provider that uses telehealth to provide care. They can also tell you about telehealth services you can use on your computer or smartphone.

To learn more, call your health insurance company or visit their website.

If you have Medicare, there is a tool called Care Compare that can help you find Medicare providers near you. After you enter your zip code, city, state, or county, you will see a list of nearby providers. If you select the telehealth indicator, you can see which providers offer telehealth services.

How do I pay for telehealth?

How much you pay for telehealth depends on your healthcare provider and health insurance. Many insurances treat telehealth visits as in-person visits. Before a telehealth visit, call your health insurance or provider to find out what the costs might be.

What do I need to use telehealth?

For most telehealth visits, you'll need a device with video and sound. This can be a computer, smartphone, or tablet.

What should I know before a telehealth visit?

Before starting a telehealth visit, you should:

▸ Understand the costs. Before your visit, ask what the cost will be. If you can't afford the visit or don't have health insurance, your healthcare provider may have local resources.

▸ Ask for help if you need it. Let your provider know if you need a screen reader, closed captioning, translator, or other help.

▸ Review the details of your visit. Your healthcare provider will remind you of your visit. They may text, email, call, or leave you a message in the patient portal (video). Sometimes there will be a form to fill out or instructions on how to start the telehealth visit. ▸ Find a good place. Choose a quiet place with internet access. Make sure you are comfortable and can talk freely.

▸ Test your technology. Make sure your internet and the device you are using for your appointment are working well. Sometimes a member of your healthcare provider team will help you with testing.