Telehealth Explained: Everything You Need to Know About Seeing a Doctor Online

Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions remain our own.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider about your specific health needs and treatment options.

By KidneyDiseaseMS.com Health Research Team | Updated July 2026

What Is Telehealth, Exactly?

Telehealth means getting medical care without leaving your home. Instead of sitting in a waiting room, you talk to a real doctor or nurse practitioner (a healthcare provider trained to treat patients) through your phone, tablet, or computer.

Think of it like a video call with a friend — except the person on the other end is a trained medical professional who can diagnose your problem and send you a prescription.

Telehealth is not the same as texting a friend for health advice. It's a real medical visit with a licensed doctor or nurse practitioner. They follow the same rules and ethical standards as doctors in a regular office. Your visit is private and protected by law.

What Can Telehealth Treat?

Telehealth works well for many common health problems. Here's what your doctor or nurse practitioner can usually help with over a video call:

• Cold and flu symptoms — cough, sore throat, runny nose, fever
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) — painful urination, urgent need to pee, lower belly pain
• Skin rashes — hives, eczema flare-ups, minor infections
• Medication refills — getting more of a medicine you already take regularly
• Mental health support — talking to a therapist or psychiatrist about anxiety, depression, or stress
• Weight management — discussing diet, exercise, and sometimes weight loss medications with a doctor
• Heartburn and indigestion
• Minor infections — earache, sinus infection, mild bronchitis
• Follow-up care — checking in on a condition your regular doctor already knows about

The key thing: your provider needs to see and hear you, ask questions, and listen to your symptoms. They don't need to physically touch you or run special equipment.

What Telehealth CANNOT Do

Some medical problems require in-person care. Do not use telehealth for these situations:

• Medical emergencies — chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, loss of consciousness. Call 911 immediately.
• Broken bones — your doctor needs to see your bone, often with X-rays
• Severe injuries — large cuts, burns, or anything that needs immediate wound care
• Conditions that need hands-on examination — checking reflexes, feeling your belly for tenderness, looking in your ears with a special tool
• Problems that need lab tests or imaging — blood tests, ultrasounds, or CT scans (a detailed picture of inside your body)
• Surgery or procedures
• Certain mental health crises — suicidal thoughts or severe psychiatric emergencies need emergency room care

When in doubt, call 911 or go to the emergency room. It's always better to be safe.

How a Telehealth Visit Actually Works: Step by Step

Never used telehealth before? Here's exactly what happens:

Step 1: Sign Up on a Telehealth Platform

You pick a telehealth website or app (we'll talk about popular ones below). You create an account with your name, date of birth, insurance information, and address.

Step 2: Schedule Your Appointment

You pick a date and time that works for you. Many telehealth companies have appointments available the same day or next day. This is much faster than waiting weeks for a regular doctor's appointment.

Step 3: Fill Out a Health Questionnaire

Before your visit, you answer questions about your symptoms, medical history (past illnesses and conditions you've had), medications you take, and allergies. Be honest and detailed — this helps your doctor prepare.

Step 4: Join Your Video Visit

At your appointment time, you click a button on your phone or computer and connect to your doctor. You'll see them on your screen, and they'll see you. It works just like a video call with family.

Step 5: Talk to Your Doctor

The doctor or nurse practitioner asks you questions about your symptoms, listens to your concerns, and may ask you to do simple things like look at your throat or show them a rash on your skin.

Step 6: Get Your Treatment Plan

Your doctor tells you what's wrong and how to treat it. They might prescribe medication, recommend rest, or suggest you see a specialist in person.

Step 7: Receive Your Prescription

If you need medication, your doctor sends it electronically to your pharmacy. You pick it up the same day or next day, or have it delivered. This is a real prescription from a real doctor — it works exactly like a prescription from your regular doctor's office.

Step 8: Pay Your Bill

You pay your copay (the amount your insurance says you owe) at the end of the visit, or your insurance company bills you later. If you don't have insurance, you pay the full cost of the visit.

How Much Does Telehealth Cost?

The price depends on whether you have health insurance.

With Insurance

Most insurance plans cover telehealth the same way they cover in-person doctor visits. Your copay (the amount you pay out of pocket) is usually $0 to $50 per visit. Many insurance plans now offer telehealth visits for free ($0 copay).

Check with your insurance company before your visit to find out your exact copay. You can call the phone number on the back of your insurance card.

Without Insurance

Uninsured patients pay the full cost. Typical prices are:

• $50–$100 per visit for a standard consultation
• $150–$200 per visit for more complex visits or specialist appointments

Some telehealth companies offer subscription plans (paying a monthly fee for unlimited visits). These cost $20–$50 per month and can save money if you have frequent visits.

Prescription Costs

Your medication costs the same whether you get a prescription from a telehealth visit or an in-person visit. Your pharmacy charges you the same price either way.

Will Your Doctor Actually Prescribe Real Medication?

Yes — absolutely. A telehealth doctor can prescribe real medications that work exactly like medications prescribed in a traditional doctor's office.

Here's how it works:

• Your doctor can prescribe antibiotics (medicines that kill bacteria), pain relievers, allergy medications, and many other drugs
• The prescription goes directly to your pharmacy electronically
• You pick it up or have it delivered like any other prescription
• It's covered by your insurance the same way
• The medication is made by the same manufacturers as medications you'd get anywhere else

This is legal and safe. Telehealth doctors are licensed physicians. They follow all the same rules as doctors in traditional offices. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — the government agency that approves medicines — recognizes telehealth prescriptions as legitimate.

The only catch: your doctor may not prescribe controlled substances (powerful medications with addiction potential, like many painkillers) on a first telehealth visit. This is a safety rule to prevent abuse.

Is Telehealth Private and Safe?

Yes. Your telehealth visit is protected by the same privacy laws as a visit to your regular doctor's office.

HIPAA Protection

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a federal law that protects your medical information. All telehealth companies must follow HIPAA rules. This means:

• Your doctor cannot share your health information with anyone without your permission
• Your health records are encrypted (scrambled so nobody can read them without special codes)
• Your video call is private — the telehealth company cannot see or hear your conversation with your doctor

Your Responsibility

You can keep your visit extra private by:

• Using a private room at home where nobody can overhear you
• Using a device (phone, tablet, or computer) that only you use
• Closing the door and turning off notifications so you won't be interrupted

Popular Telehealth Platforms and What They Offer

Many different companies offer telehealth. Here are some of the biggest:

Ask your insurance company which telehealth platforms they work with. Many insurance plans have partnerships with specific companies, which means your copay might be lower.

Tips for Your First Telehealth Visit

Before Your Appointment

• Find a quiet, private room where you can talk without being overheard or interrupted
• Test your technology — make sure your phone, tablet, or computer has a working camera, microphone, and internet connection
• Have your insurance card nearby so you can give your insurance information if needed
• Make a list of your current medications — include the name, dose (how much you take), and how often you take it. If you're not sure, bring the bottles with you.
• Write down your symptoms and questions before the visit. Be specific: instead of “I don't feel good,” write “I've had a sore throat and fever of 101°F for two days.”
• Know your medical history — past surgeries, serious illnesses, and health conditions run in your family
• Note your allergies — especially to medications

During Your Appointment

• Dress appropriately — if your rash is on your arm, wear a short-sleeved shirt so your doctor can see it
• Be honest about your symptoms — don't minimize or exaggerate. Tell your doctor exactly what you're experiencing.
• Ask questions — don't be shy. If you don't understand something, ask your doctor to explain it
• Take notes — write down what your doctor says about treatment, medications, and follow-up care
• Confirm prescription details — ask your doctor which pharmacy to use and when to expect your medication

After Your Appointment

• Follow the doctor's instructions — take your medication as prescribed, and rest or make lifestyle changes as recommended
• Keep your after-visit summary — most telehealth platforms send you a written summary of your visit and treatment plan by email. Save it.
• Pick up or refill prescriptions promptly — don't wait several days if you're sick
• Schedule a follow-up if recommended — if your doctor says to check in again, book it before you forget

When Should You See a Doctor in Person Instead?

Telehealth is convenient, but some problems require an in-person visit. Consider seeing your regular doctor if:

• You've had symptoms for more than a week with no improvement
• You're very sick and think you might need hospitalization (stay overnight in a hospital)
• You need a physical exam for a new condition
• You haven't seen your doctor in over a year and need a complete check-up
• You have a chronic condition (a long-term illness like diabetes or high blood pressure) and need regular monitoring
• You need blood tests or imaging (like X-rays)
• Your telehealth doctor recommends it

Telehealth and in-person care work best together. Use telehealth for quick, simple problems. Use in-person visits for your ongoing care and serious concerns.

Common Questions About Telehealth

Can telehealth doctors see my medical records from my regular doctor?

Sometimes, but not always. It depends on whether your telehealth platform is connected to your doctor's system. Always tell your telehealth doctor about any current conditions or medications — don't assume they can see your old records.

What if I need a follow-up exam after a telehealth visit?

Your telehealth doctor will tell you whether you need an in-person visit. If they recommend one, they may send you to an urgent care center or your regular doctor's office.

Can telehealth doctors order tests for me?

Some can. Your doctor may order blood tests or imaging (like an ultrasound) that you can have done at a lab or imaging center near your home. You'll get results back in a few days.

Is telehealth right for someone with kidney disease?

Telehealth can help with some aspects of kidney disease care — like medication refills, nutrition advice, or mental health support. However, people with kidney disease need regular in-person visits to monitor kidney function with blood tests. Talk to your kidney doctor about which visits can be done by telehealth and which need to be in person.

What if my internet cuts out during my visit?

Most telehealth platforms have a way to reconnect you. You may be able to switch to a phone call instead of video. If the connection fails, contact the platform's support team and they'll reschedule your visit.