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Telemedicine: How and When to Schedule a Virtual Appointment

Gina Roberts-GreyKarla Robinson, MD
Written by Gina Roberts-Grey | Reviewed by Karla Robinson, MD
Updated on January 27, 2023

Key takeaways:

  • Telemedicine is a great option for getting healthcare services in an environment that is convenient for you.

  • Telemedicine is not a good idea for emergencies. You should still seek in-person care if you are having a medical emergency.

  • Many healthcare providers offer telemedicine, and your insurance may cover it. If you need a low-cost telemedicine option, give GoodRx Care a try. 

A young woman sitting on her couch waving hi to her doctor on a telehealth visit on her laptop.
urbazon/E+ via Getty Images

When you’re feeling under the weather or have questions about your health, you usually schedule a visit with your primary care provider. In after-hour situations, you may even head to an urgent care clinic. 

But as communication technology advances, options for care are expanding. With telemedicine services, you can get medical advice anytime, anywhere — without leaving the comfort of your home.

What is telemedicine?

Telemedicine allows you to communicate with a healthcare provider using technology. And it lets you avoid visiting a clinic or hospital.   

With telemedicine, you can talk in real time with a healthcare provider about symptoms, medical issues, and more. You can use video, online portals, and email to get a diagnosis and learn your treatment options. 

You can also get a prescription electronically. When necessary, providers can even remotely monitor readings from medical devices to keep an eye on your condition. 

There are three common types of telemedicine

  • Interactive medicine: This is also called “live telemedicine.” This is when you communicate with providers in real time.

  • Remote patient monitoring: This allows providers to monitor you remotely. Using mobile medical equipment, you can collect data on things like blood pressure and blood sugar levels and share it with your provider

  • Store and forward: Health information that you enter is shared with a provider and reviewed at a later time, not in real time.

Since the 1950s, healthcare providers have been offering remote services. Telemedicine first began on landline telephones. As technology has advanced, telemedicine has grown to offer services in a variety of ways. This includes online portals, video software for remote visits, and apps managed by companies that offer telemedicine services, like GoodRx Care.

How do telemedicine services work?

Telemedicine appointments work by virtually connecting you to a healthcare provider. This usually happens via a secure online video platform. To use telemedicine services, you need a stable internet connection and a web camera. Some providers may ask you to download an app or other software to connect online. 

Telemedicine is very useful for simple issues and follow-up consultations, like:

  • An infected cut 

  • Strep throat

  • Medication refills (like birth control)  

  • Psychotherapy

  • Colds and flu

  • Insect bites

  • Diarrhea

  • Pink eye 

The difference between telemedicine and telehealth

The terms “telemedicine” and “telehealth” sound the same, but they’re definitely different. 

Telemedicine is the use of technology that lets healthcare providers and people seeking medical services connect virtually. This gives you the freedom to receive treatment without having to go to an office for medical services. 

On the other hand, telehealth is a support tool — not a service. Telehealth is a way to improve patient care and physician education. It expands beyond telemedicine to cover nonclinical aspects of care. This includes appointment scheduling, continuing medical education, and physician training.

The benefits of telemedicine services

The need for more accessible healthcare is a driving force behind the growth of telemedicine. Whether you live in a remote area or have a busy schedule, telemedicine can help improve your overall health and well-being. 

It can also help your financial health. Access to a telemedicine provider can reduce the need to visit the emergency room in some cases — which can be costly. 

As the popularity of telemedicine grows, many health insurance plans are beginning to offer coverage for visits. Some states have laws that require insurance plans to reimburse telemedicine visits at the same rate as in-person visits. Medicaid may also offer reimbursement for telemedicine services as long as they meet all requirements.

It’s best to check with your specific plan’s benefits before using telemedicine to understand your financial obligation. 

The disadvantages of telemedicine services

As convenient as telemedicine is, there are a few disadvantages. For one, you can’t use it for every scenario. Anything that requires immediate or hands-on care should be handled in person. Telemedicine isn’t appropriate for emergency situations, like: 

  • Heart attacks

  • Strokes

  • Lacerations

  • Broken bones that require X-rays, splints, or casts 

If you aren’t using telemedicine services with your own provider, or there isn’t a shared electronic health record, there may be gaps in your care. Your primary care provider should always know if another provider sees you or gives you a prescription. This prevents medical errors and medication interactions. Taking the time to make sure your records are shared and complete make take a little effort on your part. But this is important to make sure you get streamlined and holistic care. 

Telemedicine can also be hard to navigate for some people. It does require a basic understanding of the internet and web services. If you aren’t familiar with technology, you may have some trouble using telemedicine.

Who should try telemedicine?

Telemedicine may be a good option the next time you come down with a case of the sniffles or need a consultation about how to use a certain medication. Check if your current provider offers telemedicine services that your insurance plan covers. Or you can try a telemedicine option like GoodRx Care.

GoodRx research found that the cost of both in-person and telemedicine visits can vary greatly. It’s worth your time to shop around before you commit to paying a specific provider. You can compare prices across telemedicine companies on the GoodRx Telehealth Marketplace.

Does your provider offer telemedicine services?

The best way to know if — and to what extent — your current healthcare provider offers telemedicine services is to ask. The practice manager should be able to explain which telemedicine services they offer and the associated costs.

The bottom line

Telemedicine doesn’t mean that you’ll never visit a clinic again. But it does make care more accessible and affordable in some cases. Plus, it can definitely help reduce the time you spend in your provider’s waiting room. Check with your healthcare provider to see if they offer telemedicine services. You can also check with your insurance provider to make sure they cover telemedicine services.

References

HealthIT.gov. (2023). Telemedicine and telehealth.

Federal Communications Commission. (n.d.). Telehealth, telemedicine, and telecare: What's what?

View All References (1)
GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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