How to Book a Telehealth Appointment: A Guide

If you are new to telehealth, you may not know the ins and outs of booking, what you need, or some of the additional information about the service. Here is everything you need to know to ensure you get the most out of your appointment. 

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Before You Book

When you first go to book a telehealth appointment, it is important to have all the necessary paperwork and information in place. The most important thing to do is to check your insurance coverage and understand if your appointment is covered, and if not, how much it will cost. 

The second-most important thing is to have any medical records, medication, etc, as your telehealth doctor will want to know your medical history and know what medication you are currently taking, or have taken before. 

Required Information

The next thing you want to do is to make a fairly concise list of any symptoms you may have and experienced, when you experience them, and how severe they are. While this may sound a bit obvious, it is very important to give your doctor as much information as possible. 

Additionally, if you have any visible symptoms, be sure to take a few high-quality photos to share with your doctor. Lastly, make a quick list of questions to ask so that both you and your doctor are on the same page. 

Technical Prep

It is important not to forget to set up your laptop, tablet, or phone properly. The last thing you want is for your device’s battery to die, or for you or your doctor to be unable to hear each other because of a speaker or volume issue. 

Therefore, join the appointment early and test everything to ensure it is all working correctly. This also gives you time to resolve any issues you may have before your appointment starts. 

Privacy

Depending on where you are, it is important to find a quiet and private room for your call. You may be sharing sensitive information, information you may not want family or friends to be privy to. 

During the Appointment 

During your appointment, don’t sit back and let your doctor do all the talking. It is important that this be a conversation where you share as much as possible and clarify anything you may not know or understand. 

It is also vital that you are upfront and honest: no symptom is too small to be important, so you should share absolutely everything with your doctor during your appointment. 

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Additional Information

Now that you know what to do for your appointment, here is some additional important information for using a telehealth service. 

When to Use Telehealth

Firstly, it is crucial to understand when you should and shouldn’t use a telehealth service. To keep it simple, your first meeting can almost definitely be held online, unless it is an emergency that is worsening. 

For instance, there is no need to visit a doctor in person if you have had a runny nose and cough for a couple of days. However, if it gets worse and you’re three weeks in, then a visit to the doctor is a must. 

When to Visit a Doctor

As mentioned previously, it is best to visit a doctor in the event of an emergency or if your sickness has become worse. Additionally, you should visit a doctor when it is not possible to be properly assessed for your issue, or if tests need to be done. 

For instance, a telehealth doctor can’t help much with a broken bone, and it is also not possible for them to check your breathing, take a blood test, etc. However, if you do call them, they will almost definitely schedule an in-person appointment for you if they deem it necessary. 

Telehealth Benefits

There are also several benefits to using a telehealth service instead of visiting a doctor in person. The first one is convenience, as it is far easier to book a telehealth appointment that fits into your schedule, instead of needing to take several hours out of your day to visit a doctor’s office. 

Another massive benefit of using a telehealth service is that it can save you money in ways you wouldn’t think about. You don’t have to pay for fuel to get to the appointment, and you don’t need to pay for childcare like you would if you couldn’t take your child with you to your appointment. 

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Limitations

Some of the limitations have been mentioned already, but they can’t be understated. When it comes to your health, you shouldn’t take any shortcuts, and there are several instances when visiting a doctor is the better choice. 

As mentioned, when you need tests of any kind done, it is best to visit a doctor, and the same is said for needing scans. Additionally, if you are ever in doubt about what is wrong, a trip to the doctor can easily be a life or death decision, and if you ever have doubts about whether or not a telehealth appointment is what you need, then a trip to the doctor is the better choice.