8 common questions about telemedicine, answered

Receiving real-time care from a healthcare provider (HCP) located in another city or state via your smartphone or the internet is known as telemedicine, and it has become more common since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The term telehealth is used interchangeably with telemedicine by most people, and it covers a wider spectrum of technology that supports healthcare, says Corey Scurlock, MD, CEO of Equum Medical in New York City. Many physicians and hospitals are using telemedicine in some capacity, and several online HCPs offer round-the-clock patient care via telemedicine.

How can I get care through telemedicine?

Ask your HCP, employer, or insurance company if telemedicine options are available to you. Many national providers of telemedicine allow you to speak to a licensed health professional—such as a primary care doctor or a specialist—through the internet or your phone (using an app or phone call) at a time that’s convenient for you.

During an appointment, you can receive care for many common health issues, such as colds and flu, allergies, skin conditions, urinary tract infections, and mental health conditions. Your HCP may also talk with you about your lab or X-ray results, help guide you through physical or occupational therapy, check in after surgery, follow up with issues like infections and headaches, or discuss drug and alcohol use concerns.

What are some advantages of telemedicine?

Telemedicine is convenient. You don’t have to worry about taking time off work or covering child or eldercare needs. Obviously, telemedicine doesn’t work for surgery or procedures that require hands-on care, but it is a wise option for following up or determining what type of care you need. If your problem can be addressed remotely, it’s typically less expensive than a traditional office visit. Telemedicine HCPs can even provide prescriptions in some cases.

Another advantage is that telemedicine can help keep you and others away from each other when sick, which may lower your chances of picking up each other’s illnesses.

What options are there for specialty care?

If you need specialty care that’s not available in your area or not available in a timely manner, telemedicine may be a good option. Take psychiatry, for example. Fewer than half the counties in the United States have a psychiatrist, explains Dr. Scurlock, and many psychiatrists are approaching retirement age. This means that large areas of the country do not have psychiatric support, even as drug abuse is on the rise.

“We can connect patients to psychiatrists via telehealth relatively rapidly, and patients like it. Some even prefer it. It solves a really severe staffing problem for the country,” Scurlock says.

What are the disadvantages of telemedicine?

Technology is not always fail-proof, and bandwidth limitations during peak times can affect a telemedicine encounter, says Travis Hanson, JD, MS, former executive director at The F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock. Furthermore, Hanson says, provider reimbursements can be a challenge, although this is changing.

Telemedicine doesn’t work for things that require hands-on care, such as a physical exam or if a patient needs an in-office weight check for accurate medication dosing. However, as technology evolves, more services may be offered using telemedicine.

Will I get the same level of care?

Yes. “Physicians are responsible to make sure the standard of care for each telemedicine encounter is the same as if the physician and patient were together,” Hanson says.

There’s a growing body of research that suggests people feel as satisfied with their levels of telehealth care as they do in-person care. For instance, a study published in 2024 in JAMA found that 1,250 adults across the United States with advanced lung cancer who received telehealth palliative care reported the same quality-of-life scores as those who received in-person care.

To optimize your level of care during your telemedicine visits and ensure that you’re as safe as possible, try to avoid driving, running errands, or eating while you’re speaking with your HCP. You can also take steps to prepare for the visit so that it goes smoothly, such as making a list of your current concerns, writing down your medications, and signing on early to make sure all your technology is working.

Are my security and privacy protected?

Yes, as long as you have a secured connection. All telemedicine companies and platforms have to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, and there is often regulatory oversight by cyber security experts. “A large part of the expenditures in telemedicine is on security and privacy,” says Scurlock.

To help optimize your security, use your own personal computer and have telemedicine sessions in private locations, like your home or a parked car. It’s also helpful to check to see if all the latest security updates are installed on your computer.

Do private insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid cover telemedicine?

It depends. A growing number of states require insurance companies to offer the same coverage via telemedicine as in-person. Medicare reimbursement may cover telehealth care, as well, including some mental and behavioral health services. Medicaid coverage of telemedicine may depend on the reason for your appointment and state in which you live. Provider reimbursement is an area that’s changing rapidly, however. That’s why it’s best to check with your insurance provider before booking a telehealth session with your HCP.

What else do I need to know?

The laws governing telemedicine are a bit different in each state. To help you understand the regulations in your area, the HHS has 12 regional and two national Telehealth Resource Centers that cover every state, so you can learn more about telemedicine in your area.