What counts as a real visit

A form can be a starting point

For advice about care, state medical boards can turn to their national organisation, the Federation of State Medical Boards. Under that group's advice, there are several ways to begin online care, provided the clinician can give proper care.

Its advice rejects treatment based only on a form that cannot gather enough information about your health. The clinician needs a way to ask more questions when the answers are not enough.

A form can help the clinician learn about your health if it allows enough questions and answers. Rules governing online care are set by each state separately.

A phone call has limits too

The federation's guidance treats voice-only calls as an option when live video cannot be used or voice-only care fits the service. State rules may add limits.

Ask whether you will speak live, exchange messages, or complete a form for later review. Ask how you can add an answer the form did not request.

Board guidance also calls for checking the patient’s location and identity, naming the clinician, and getting the patient’s agreement. State duties differ.

Leave room for an in-person visit

When the clinician needs an examination or test in person to understand your health, the federation advises arranging it or sending you to someone who can do it.

Ask what happens if the clinician cannot answer the care question through a screen. Get the next step explained before treating a quick decision as a complete one.