Site Map

Telehealth

Telehealth; Telemedicine; Mobile health (mHealth); Remote patient monitoring; E-health

Telehealth is using electronic communications to provide or get health care services. You can get health care using phones, computers, or mobile devices. You can find health information or talk with your health care provider using streaming media, video chats, email, or text messages. Your provider can use telehealth to remotely monitor your health with devices that can remotely record vital signs (for example, blood pressure, weight, and heart rate), medicine intake, and other health information. Your provider can also communicate with other providers using telehealth.

Telehealth is also called telemedicine.

Information

Telehealth can make it quicker and easier to get or provide health services.

HOW TO USE TELEHEALTH

Here are just a few ways telehealth is used.

Email. You can use email to ask your provider questions or order prescription refills. If you get a test done, the results can be sent to your providers by email. Or, one provider can share and discuss results with another provider or a specialist. These may include:

• X-rays
• MRIs
• Photos
• Patient data
• Video-exam clips

You can also share your personal health records by email with another provider. That means you do not have to wait for paper questionnaires to be mailed to you before your appointment.

Live telephone conferencing. You can make an appointment to talk to your provider on the phone or join phone-based online support groups. During a telephone visit, you and your provider can use the phone to talk with a specialist about your care without everyone being in the same place.

Live video conferencing. You can make an appointment and use video chat to talk to your provider or join online support groups. During a video visit, you and your provider can use video chat to talk with a specialist about your care without everyone being in the same place.

Mhealth (mobile health). You can use a mobile device to talk with or text your provider. You can use health apps to track things like your blood sugar levels or diet and exercise results and share it with your providers. You can receive text or email reminders for appointments.

Remote patient monitoring (RPM). This allows your provider to monitor your health from afar. For example, you keep devices to measure your heart rate, blood pressure, or blood glucose in your home. These devices collect data and send it to your provider to monitor your health. Using RPM can lower your chances of getting sick or needing to go to the hospital.

RPM can be used for long-term illnesses such as:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Kidney disorders

Online health information. You can watch videos to learn specific skills to help you manage health conditions like diabetes or asthma. You can also read health information online to help you make informed decisions about your care with your provider.

With telehealth, your health information remains private. Providers must use computer software that keeps your health records safe.

BENEFITS OF TELEHEALTH

Telehealth has many benefits. It can help:

• You get care without traveling long distances if you live far from your doctor or medical center
• You get care from a health care provider in a different state or city
• You save time and money spent on traveling
• Older or disabled adults who have a hard time getting to appointments
• You get regular monitoring of health problems without having to go in as often for appointments
• Reduce hospitalizations and allow people with chronic disorders have more independence

TELEHEALTH AND INSURANCE

Not all health insurance companies pay for all telehealth services. And services may be limited for people on Medicare or Medicaid. Also, states have different standards for what they will cover. It is a good idea to check with your insurance company to be sure telehealth services will be covered.

References

American Telemedicine Association website. Telehealth basics. www.americantelemed.org/resource/. Accessed August 8, 2022.

Health Resources and Services Administration. A guide for rural health care collaboration and coordination. www.hrsa.gov/rural-health/resources/index.html. Updated March 2022. Accessed August 8, 2022.

Kayingo G, Hass VM. Chronic care perspectives. In: Ritsema TS, Brown DL, Vetrosky DT, Coplan B, MacLean MJ, Zaweski J, Ballweg R, eds. Ballweg's Physician Assistant: A Guide to Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 12.

Rheuban KS, Krupinski EA. Understanding telehealth.1st ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education; 2018.

BACK TO TOP

Review Date: 4/17/2022  

Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Health Content Provider 06/01/2025

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. This site complied with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information from 1995 to 2022, after which HON (Health On the Net, a not-for-profit organization that promoted transparent and reliable health information online) was discontinued.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2024 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.