Our office offers TELE-MED appointments for TEXAS residents and with your doctor's approval. Also please be aware some insurance policies do not cover Tele-med. Our staff can help you with any questions about this service and you can read more about it below too.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Telemedicine in Texas is defined by Texas law to be remote medical services provided to a patient by a physician who is licensed in Texas. Since our doctors are only licensed to practice medicine in Texas, they cannot and will not provide Telemedicine services to any patient located across Texas state lines. Even in cases where your permanent residence is in Texas, if you're located physically across state lines we cannot and will not provide Telemedicine services. Thank you.
What is telemedicine?
Telemedicine is the practice of providing clinical care to patients at a distance using telecommunications technology. In other words, it is a method of treating patients using the internet and telephone. This can take the form of real-time video visits, secure email, or remotely monitoring a patient’s vital signs.
Are telemedicine and telehealth the same thing?
The terms telemedicine and telehealth are often used as if they were the same thing, but technically telemedicine is a subset of telehealth. Telehealth also includes non-clinical uses of telecommunications technology such as self-monitoring, provider and patient education, and medical records management.
Does a patient have to meet with a provider in-person before a visit can be conducted via video?
This is determined on a state-by-state basis, a prior in-person visit is a requirement in Texas.
Is telemedicine technology difficult to use?
Of course, this depends on the specific application, but in general, telemedicine software is designed to be as easy to use as other familiar modern applications. Patients and providers with a basic familiarity with online apps should be able to quickly figure out how to use a telehealth application.
Will insurance pay for video visits?
In many cases, yes. Many insurers voluntarily pay for telemedicine visits and 26 states have laws requiring them to do so. The laws vary, so it makes sense to learn more about the rules in the state where you live or practice.
Is telemedicine private and secure?
Yes, but only when it is conducted using an encrypted platform that was designed for the purpose. Consumer apps like Facetime and Skype are not secure enough for video visits.
Is the quality of care the same as an in-person visit?
The quality of telemedicine as a method of healthcare delivery is confirmed by decades of research and demonstrations. Telemedicine has been found to be a safe, cost-effective and convenient way to provide healthcare services.
Who benefits from telemedicine?
Patients: Telemedicine gives patients the opportunity to receive care without a trip to the doctor’s office. They don’t have to take time away from work or family responsibilities. They don’t waste time traveling, or money on parking or public transportation. They don’t risk exposure to other patients with communicable illnesses. And they get better health outcomes and become more engaged in their own healthcare.
Telemedicine Forms