What is telehealth?

Telehealth is healthcare delivered at a distance – usually a video or phone visit with a licensed provider. You describe what is going on, the provider asks questions (and often takes a look on camera), and when it is right for you they can diagnose, treat and prescribe, just like in an office.

It also covers the parts around the visit: messages with your care team, visit notes you can read later and follow-up check-ins.

People use the two words interchangeably, and for a patient there is no real difference. Strictly, telemedicine means the medical visit itself – a doctor or nurse practitioner diagnosing and treating you remotely – while telehealth is the wider term that also includes things like follow-up care, health education and remote monitoring.

So a telemedicine appointment is a kind of telehealth. Either way, you are talking to a licensed provider without going to an office.

• Request a visit and tell us what is going on – it takes a couple of minutes
• Choose video or phone and pick a time; most visits happen the same day
• Talk to a licensed provider, who asks about your symptoms and history
• Leave with a clear plan; any prescription goes to the pharmacy you choose

More detail on how it works.

Many everyday problems: colds and flu, sinus infections, UTIs, allergies, pink eye, rashes, acne, minor injuries, and stress, anxiety and sleep problems. See everything we treat.

• Chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke, severe bleeding or a serious injury
• Anything that needs a hands-on exam, a test or imaging right away
• A mental health crisis – call or text 988 any time

A virtual visit is not an emergency service. For chest pain, trouble breathing, severe bleeding, signs of a stroke or a serious injury, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) at any time.