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FAQs About Telemedicine

Posted: August 07, 2024


When the COVID-19 pandemic began, California saw a significant increase in patients seeking telemedicine due to social distancing regulations. While demand has decreased since early 2020, telemedicine is still prevalent throughout California, making it an essential part of the health care delivery system.

We’ve compiled a list of common questions about telemedicine and its coverage in California so you can decide if it’s right for you.

What Is Telemedicine?

Telemedicine refers to the delivery of health care services remotely through video calls, phone calls or messaging. With telemedicine, patients can book virtual appointments with health care providers to receive medical diagnoses and treatment for non-life-threatening conditions. This service allows patients to receive care when they aren’t willing or able to meet in person.

What Are the Types of Telemedicine?

There are two categories of telemedicine.

  • Synchronous: This type involves a live interaction between the health care provider and patient, including video calls, audio-only calls and real-time text messaging.
  • Asynchronous: Asynchronous telemedicine — also known as store-and-forward — occurs when the patient sends information to a provider for evaluation outside a live interaction. Remote patient monitoring and mobile health are two forms of asynchronous care where the patient’s remote device or cellphone monitors their health.

Who Uses Telemedicine?

Anyone can use telemedicine, but it is especially beneficial for people who:

  • Are away from home and need medical care.
  • Live far from doctors or in rural areas.
  • Have limited mobility.
  • Don’t have enough time to see a doctor in person.
  • Are immunocompromised and get sick easily.

What Types of Care Can I Get Through Telemedicine?

Telemedicine is a convenient solution for various forms of care.

  • Mental health therapy and counseling
  • General wellness checkups and post-treatment follow-ups
  • Urgent care for common or recurring conditions such as colds, flu, urinary tract infections, stomachaches or migraines
  • Prescribing and managing required medicine
  • Skin conditions like wounds, rashes, allergic reactions, acne, eczema and more
  • Remotely recording vital signs and health information
  • Guidance on dietary decisions

What Are the Limitations of Telemedicine?

While you can receive various forms of care through telemedicine, it’s not ideal for all conditions and requirements.

Go straight to the hospital if you have a life-threatening condition and need emergency care. Some non-life-threatening conditions are also unsuitable for telemedicine, such as a sore throat or ear infection requiring physical examination and testing.

If you’re unsure whether telemedicine is a good fit for you, contact your primary care physician first.

What Are the Benefits of Telemedicine?

Telemedicine is a convenient option with multiple advantages. Studies show people who use telemedicine in California like it as much as in-person care.

For appropriate conditions and situations, telemedicine offers the following benefits over physical appointments.

  • Affordability: Some health care providers offer reduced fees for virtual appointments, making them a more affordable option.
  • Convenience: Telemedicine allows patients to seek medical guidance from the comfort of home. It also eliminates the need to miss work or pay for child care services to see a doctor.
  • Timeliness: Telemedicine saves time on traveling to a physical doctor’s office and often has shorter wait times for appointments.
  • Accessibility: Telemedicine increases accessibility to health care — it’s available to anyone, regardless of their abilities or location.
  • Privacy: Some types of telemedicine can occur without voice or video, allowing doctors to care for patients who value anonymity.

Does Insurance Pay for a Telemedicine Appointment?

Yes. Most insurance plans available throughout the U.S. and in California cover telemedicine appointments. These include government medical plans like Medicare, Medicaid and, more specifically, Medi-Cal in California. Medi-Cal has offered telehealth coverage since 1996 after the passage of the California Telemedicine Advancement Act. If you have private insurance, verify with your provider if they cover telemedicine services before scheduling an appointment.

Thanks to payment parity laws in California, health care providers must charge the same amount for a service regardless of how they delivered it, including virtual appointments with telemedicine. Insurance providers must pay the same rate for telemedicine services as they do for physical appointments.

If you have insurance through Medi-Cal, remember that they will only pay for appropriate, medically necessary services based on evidence and best practices.

Can I Use Telemedicine Services Without Insurance?

Anyone can use telemedicine services, even if you don’t have insurance. You can ask your PCP or local hospital about their available telemedicine services. You can also look for private options online. Contact the service provider beforehand to find out how much they charge, as you’ll have to pay the total amount yourself.

Can You Get a Prescription Through Telemedicine?

Yes, health care providers can prescribe medication through telemedicine for multiple conditions. However, there are limitations. Your health care provider will need to perform an in-person evaluation first if they choose to prescribe medicine regulated by the government through the Controlled Substances Act.

What Technology Do I Need for a Telemedicine Appointment?

The technology you use for your telemedicine appointment depends on the help you need. Audio-only calls or live messaging may be enough for mental health conditions, but you’ll need a device with video capabilities for anything your doctor needs to examine visually, like injuries or skin conditions. Your doctor may also need to demonstrate how you can do a self-exam through video.

The best device for your virtual appointment has a microphone, speakers and camera. You might use your cellphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. You’ll also need a stable Wi-Fi connection or sufficient cellular data. Test that everything works in advance to prepare for your virtual appointment.

Find a Telemedicine Insurance Plan With Health for California

If you’re interested in telemedicine services, find an insurance plan that covers your appointments. Health for California takes the stress out of this process for Golden State residents, free of charge. We’re the fastest and easiest way to get affordable health care in California. Whether you need private insurance or help with Med-Cal, count on us.

Get a free quote today by filling out our online application form. We’ll work with you to find the best insurance plan within your budget with telemedicine coverage. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions — we look forward to guiding you!