Telehealth can be a video call from the kitchen table, a picture of a rash uploaded to a patient portal, or a blood pressure cuff that uploads results overnight. Each of these actions allows a person to get healthcare in a remote way through technology.
The term encompasses a broad range of activities, from doctor visits to patient education to public health administration. As a result, telehealth services can include a therapy session by video, as well as a text message reminder for a vaccine. Telemedicine refers more narrowly to the clinical services side of health care.
What Is Telehealth?
Telehealth Definition
The most authoritative definition of telehealth in the United States comes from the Health Resources and Services Administration. In this telehealth definition, communication technologies are used to provide four categories of long-distance health care services: clinical services, patient education, health administration, and public health.
Telehealth Meaning in Practice
In practice, that means that a definition of telehealth includes a psychiatrist’s video visit with a patient, as well as a nurse’s review of blood glucose data sent from home overnight. It also includes a rural clinic discussing an x-ray with a distant specialist.
Telehealth Services Online and by Phone
Telehealth online generally refers to services accessed through a website or an application, although telehealth also includes phone calls or secure messaging. Some telehealth services use the term telehealthcare to describe an organized set of services supporting patients in their homes.
The Technology Underpinning Telehealth
Most telehealth technology is intuitive to anyone who uses smartphones. Secure video conferencing tools support real-time doctor visits, while patient portals with secure messaging support the exchange of information, test results, or instructions. Electronic health record systems let the remote doctor review the same information as an on-site physician.
There are also more specialized tools for store-and-forward imaging or remote monitoring. Connected blood pressure cuffs or pulse oximeters send data to the doctor’s office. After a visit, a digital prescription can go directly to the pharmacy.
Telehealth vs Telemedicine: What Is the Difference?
The difference between telehealth and telemedicine is one of scope: telehealth is the broader term that encompasses a range of services, including non-clinical ones, while telemedicine refers strictly to clinical care. Telemedicine is the clinical equivalent of telehealth. The telehealth and telemedicine difference is less relevant than it sounds, as hospitals, insurers, even patients tend to use the terms interchangeably. The distinction has to do more with billing than with content.
| # | Telehealth | Telemedicine | Telecare |
| Scope | Broad; includes clinical services | Narrow; includes only remote clinical services | Support that helps people live safely at home |
| Who provides it? | Clinicians, health systems, educators, public health professionals | Licensed clinicians and other eligible professionals | Care services, monitoring centers, support organizations |
| Examples | Health education, staff training, remote monitoring, virtual care | Video consultation, remote diagnosis, medication management | Home sensors, fall alerts, daily check-in calls |
| Where the term is common | Federal health policy | Clinical and insurance settings | Social care, especially in Europe |
What Is Telemedicine? Meaning and Definition
The most straightforward way to define telemedicine is as “clinical care delivered at a distance through communication technology.” The World Health Organization has a slightly more detailed equivalent: telemedicine is the delivery of health care services where distance is a critical factor, using communication technology for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
That telemedicine definition highlights why the term appears so often in insurance contexts: telemedicine services are the reimbursable part of a larger telehealth service. Telemedicine refers to a clinical case handled by video, such as an adjustment to a medication or the evaluation of a skin condition.
In short, telemedicine is a type of health service, while telehealth services is a larger concept that includes telemedicine as well as other types of services. When comparing telemedicine vs telehealth, remember that one is a subset of the other.
What Is Telecare?
The term telecare generally refers to technology-enabled care coordination or safety services. Telecare is most often seen in the context of home safety: sensors that alert caregivers when a senior falls, or a medication dispenser that confirms that a pill has been taken. The Federal Communications Commission published a report on telehealth, telemedicine, and telecare, outlining the terms as related but distinct.
The same technologies are used in medical alert systems, which allow caregivers to respond to emergencies by calling for help. The 360alert guide to medical alert systems goes into more detail on the topic.
Related Terms to Telehealth and Telemedicine
Virtual care is the general term for care provided through technology. Virtual healthcare services refer to the same concept. Digital health, like e-health, is an umbrella term for health-related technology. The term mHealth refers specifically to mobile phone technology. Connected care refers to patient-centered care with an emphasis on shared information.
A teleconsultation is a kind of remote healthcare consultation, which can take place between a doctor and a patient or between two clinicians. Remote healthcare, online consultation, and online medical care are similar terms referring roughly to the same thing.
Types of Telehealth Services
Telehealth services generally fall into four main categories, which are more ways of delivering care than specific medical specialties. These telehealth services often overlap, so a given patient interaction may use more than one.
| Format | How it works | Example | Often used for |
| Live video (synchronous) | Patient and clinician communicate in real time by video or audio | Video visit, teletriage, facilitated virtual visit | Conditions that benefit from a conversation or visual exam |
| Store-and-forward (asynchronous) | Information is gathered, stored, then sent to a destination for interpretation | Skin picture for teledermatology, x-ray for teleradiology | Questions that don’t require conversation or real-time interpretation |
| Remote patient monitoring | Home-based devices connected to a care team transmit vital statistics | Blood pressure, pulse oximetry, glucose measurements | Chronic condition management |
| Mobile health (mHealth) | Smart phone apps or text messages deliver medical information or reminders | Meds reminders, self-reporting | Symptom management, self-care support |
Synchronous and Asynchronous Telehealth
The distinction between synchronous and asynchronous telehealth services is related to the real-time nature of the communication. Synchronous telehealth takes place when the patient is interacting with the provider at the same time. Asynchronous telehealth takes place when the patient is communicating with a care team at different points in time.
Store-and-forward telehealth is the asynchronous type, in which a patient is talking with a provider who sees the information at a later time. A primary care doctor can photograph a suspicious mole during an in-office visit, then send it, along with the patient’s medical records, to a dermatologist.
Remote Patient Monitoring
Remote monitoring, also called telemonitoring, usually applies to patients with chronic health conditions. A heart failure patient’s connected weight scale or blood pressure cuff can send information about weight, blood pressure, and pulse to the doctor’s office.
Medicare does not consider remote monitoring to be a telehealth service, which surprised many patients who had hoped to utilize the reimbursement expansion for this particular service. Remote monitoring services are billed as separate services, not connected to the general rules for video visits.
Specialty Uses
Almost all areas of medicine have telehealth, telemedicine, or telecare variations. Telepsychiatry, like teletherapy, refers to mental health care by video, while teledermatology uses pictures to diagnose skin conditions. Teleradiology allows a radiologist to read scans from a distant location.
Telemedicine applications are also used widely in hospitals, such as telestroke, which allows neurologists to evaluate stroke patients by video. A tele-ICU allows a centralized group of critical care physicians to simultaneously view patients in the ICU. Telepharmacy lets pharmacists provide medication counseling by video.
Many of these hospital-based telehealth services use the same kinds of remote monitoring that are available to standard patients. The 360alert guides to the ICU and to the telemetry unit discuss bedside monitoring in more detail.
How Care Is Organized
The oldest model for telehealth is the hub-and-spoke model, in which a central hospital with a specialist provides care to smaller hospitals in outlying areas. Direct-to-consumer telemedicine is a different model that connects patients to clinicians through an application or website, without the involvement of an overarching hospital.
Hospital-at-home programs represent another variation, in which selected hospital services are provided to patients in their own homes. In these programs, nurses make in-person visits, while telehealth visits by video supplement them at intervals.
How Does Telehealth Work?
For most telehealth visits, a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera is needed, as is a decent internet connection. Most telehealth visits can also be done as an audio call if the patient is unable to use video. The provider usually sends a link or asks the patient to log on to a patient portal or application.
What Is Telehealth? Appointments Step by Step
Most telehealth appointments follow a similar set of steps, although the details can vary by provider.
1. Book the appointment, then determine whether it will be by video or by phone. You will usually receive a confirmation link or instructions to log on to a portal.
2. Test the connection by opening the link or logging on a few minutes early. Most video appointment programs let you check that the camera and microphone are working.
3. Complete any forms sent by the provider, such as a health history or reason for visit. The provider may ask for pictures or other information.
4. Attend the appointment from a private room where you can speak freely. The provider will ask questions, then may ask you to perform some tasks, such as pressing on your abdomen or showing a rash.
5. Discuss next steps, such as follow-up visits or prescriptions, before ending the appointment.
6. Review the appointment through a patient portal if one was used, to check for additional instructions.
A telemedicine appointment would have similar steps, as telemedicine services are a type of telehealth service. If something during the appointment suggests that the patient needs emergency care, the provider will recommend going to an emergency room or calling 911.
What Can Telehealth Treat?
Telehealth has a broad range of applications, from mental health care to chronic condition management. It can also be used for medication reviews, many skin conditions, and minor urgent care needs, such as eye or ear infections. Telehealth after surgery can be useful for any follow-up that does not require an in-person examination.
Telehealth has many uses in schools, such as school-based mental health care, where students can connect by video to a counselor. Some disaster response programs use telehealth for triage after hurricanes or wildfires when local clinics are unavailable.
Telehealth is not a replacement for emergency care: chest pain, trouble breathing, suspected stroke, or an injury requiring imaging should be brought to the hospital rather than an online appointment.
Benefits of Telehealth
The telehealth benefits to patients are often obvious: a follow-up that used to take half a day, with driving time both ways, can now be completed from home in twenty minutes. There are also benefits to telehealth for providers, who can offer more services without the cost of an office.
Better Access to Care
Healthcare access is the biggest selling point for telehealth, especially for people who cannot easily come to a medical office. Rural residents can access care without the time or expense of a long drive, while homebound or physically disabled patients do not have to leave the house. Those who need a specialty not available locally can sometimes find one through telehealth in another state.
Veterans are one example of a population that benefits from both the convenience and the availability of telehealth. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reports that more than 2.9 million veterans used telehealth in fiscal year 2025, with more than 14.6 million episodes of care. Of veterans who used VA telehealth services, 91.7% were satisfied with their care.
Part of the reason for this is a federal rule that allows VA clinicians to provide services to veterans regardless of where the veteran or the clinician is located. Most private practices do not have such a rule, as the following section discusses.
Convenience and Time
Online doctor visits by video save patients time as well as money, since many of them have to miss work or pay for childcare to visit a doctor. Patients who use telehealth for regular check-ups or medication reviews can easily add those items to their calendars.
Less Exposure to Infection
A telehealth appointment keeps sick patients out of waiting rooms, reducing the risk that others will get infected. This was an especially important consideration during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which reducing in-person contact was considered to be a public health priority.
Continuity of Care
When telehealth is used as an extension of regular care, it provides continuity rather than interruption. A diabetic patient can send blood glucose data from a glucose monitor, allowing the doctor to manage that condition remotely. The savings in travel time are obvious, although telehealth is not always less expensive than an in-office visit.
Telehealth Benefits and Challenges: The Limits
The most important telehealth benefits and challenges relate to the fact that telehealth is not able to replace a physical exam. A doctor cannot listen to your heart or take blood samples through a video call. Some conditions can only be diagnosed with scans, lab tests, or manual examination. A patient may need to come in for an in-person examination even after a telehealth appointment.
The Broadband Gap
An internet connection is a prerequisite for most telehealth services. Not all households have regular access to broadband, however, especially in rural areas or among low-income families. Pew Research Center published a survey on home broadband adoption in 2025, which found that 71% of rural adults had home broadband, compared with 84% of suburban adults. Adults with incomes below $30,000 were much less likely to have home broadband, at 54%.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has different figures for 2023, which show that 12% of Americans live in households that do not have internet access at all. For those residents, a telehealth appointment by video is not an option; a phone call is the most that can be done. The limitations for rural residents in accessing telehealth, and the implications for their health, is why health equity experts are paying close attention to the broadband gap.
Other Telehealth Limitations
Interoperability is a growing concern for telehealth: if a telehealth application does not connect to a patient’s electronic medical records, it may actually serve more to isolate patients from ongoing care. The American Medical Association has raised a similar concern, warning that one-size-fits-all telehealth fails to account for the importance of the patient-doctor relationship.
Patient privacy at home is another practical telehealth limitation that clinicians do not always consider. A teenager with a mental health condition may not have access to a private room for telehealth appointments. Older patients may not have the technological literacy to use a telehealth application on a smartphone, especially if they do not have family assistance nearby. Issues with state licensure or reimbursement add further limitations for telehealth providers, as the following section discusses.
Is Telehealth Effective?
Depending on the condition being treated, telehealth has been shown to be effective in helping patients, especially in areas where access to care was previously limited.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) published a 2016 evidence report on the effectiveness of telehealth, which concluded that there was sufficient evidence of benefit in three areas: remote chronic disease monitoring, chronic disease counseling, and psychotherapy. The most consistent results for telehealth were in the areas of heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management. Those patients saw improvements in mortality, quality of life, and hospital admissions.
An AHRQ Effective Health Care Program report from 2019 examined telehealth for acute and chronic care, concluding that patient outcomes were at least comparable to traditional care for remote consultation. The report also found support for the effectiveness of remote intensive care consultations in reducing mortality.
Finally, telehealth has been shown to have consistently positive patient satisfaction outcomes for the same reasons that telehealth can be beneficial to access to care. The VA study on telehealth mentioned earlier had particularly positive results for veteran satisfaction with telehealth services.
Telehealth Cost, Insurance, and Regulations
Telehealth regulations are subject to frequent change, which is why this section reflects the state of Medicare telehealth regulation in October 2026. Check with your insurance provider about your telehealth benefits, which are likely to depend on your plan, the type of service, and the state where you live.
Medicare
Medicare’s 2020 telehealth rules have been extended several times, most recently by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026. According to the Center for Connected Health Policy, the 2026 act extended most telehealth waivers of the usual geographic restrictions through December 31, 2027.
This means that, up until that date, Medicare beneficiaries could use telehealth services from home in all locations across the country, with certain exceptions. Audio-only visits were also an option in some cases. The rules were suspended temporarily as of October 1, 2025, according to KFF, but were later reinstated with retroactive effect. According to KFF’s analysis, telehealth utilization in traditional Medicare has decreased steadily since early 2021, but is still double the pre-pandemic level.
There are special rules for mental health care in Medicare, which generally refers to home-based behavioral health telehealth as a permanent exception. However, as of January 1, 2028, there will be a requirement for an in-person assessment for beneficiaries who want to use telehealth for mental health within six months of the initial telehealth service. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) publishes details on its telehealth FAQ page.
Medicaid and Private Insurance
Medicaid telehealth insurance coverage is state-based, with considerable variation between states. Most private insurances also have different telehealth regulations based on the state where the patient lives.
State telehealth laws often refer to coverage parity and payment parity. Coverage parity means that an insurer is required to cover a telehealth service if it covers the in-person equivalent. Payment parity means that the insurer pays the same amount for a telehealth service as it would for an in-person service. Check with your insurance provider to learn whether the type of telehealth visit you want is covered, whether the practitioner is in-network, and what your copay, if any, will be.
Telehealth reimbursement can be a concern for providers, as different payers or different types of visits can have drastically different reimbursements for the same service.
Prescribing Controlled Substances
By federal law, physicians are not allowed to prescribe controlled substances, such as some ADHD medications, without an in-person examination of the patient. The Drug Enforcement Administration has issued several temporary telehealth rules since the pandemic, including a fourth temporary extension of this particular flexibility.
As a result, the flexibility that allows telehealth prescribing of controlled substances is in place through December 31, 2026. This is an important consideration for patients seeking treatment for substance use disorders or ADHD, among other conditions. The DEA publishes updates on its website.
A permanent special registration system for telemedicine prescribers was proposed in January 2025. As of October 2026, no final version has been published in the Federal Register. Telemedicine prescribers advise patients to pay particular attention to possible changes at year-end.
HIPAA Telehealth and Privacy
During the public health emergency, federal regulators relaxed privacy enforcement to allow clinicians to use video conferencing tools. This policy was revoked on May 11, 2023, with a transition period that ended on August 9, 2023. As of now, telehealth visits under HIPAA require standard privacy protections on a secure platform.
Patients can ensure privacy during their telehealth visits by following a few simple steps. Firstly, patients should use the organization’s application or link, then conduct the entire visit in private. It is essential to avoid sharing a link to an online session. Patients should also never send personal medical information via an unsecured online channel.
State Licensure
A clinician should hold an active license in the state where a telehealth visit occurs, not the state where the clinician practices. This rule has been the backbone of telehealth law. A clinician who wants to see a patient who is out-of-state or has moved cannot do so unless there is a special agreement.
Interstate compacts ease licensing laws for medical professionals who want to work in several states. As of September 2026, the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact had 44 member states plus two U.S. territories, and the Nurse Licensure Compact counted 43 jurisdictions. As of April 2025, PSYPACT was in effect in 40 states, the District of Columbia, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
A Brief History of Telehealth
The use of telehealth goes far beyond the advent of the Internet. Doctors have traditionally delivered care by phone for decades. Closed-circuit television or satellite links were used to bring specialists to remote or underserved areas. Telehealth services became more available to ordinary users due to the rise of broadband, electronic health records, and smartphones.
The COVID-19 pandemic was the catalyst that sent telehealth into mainstream adoption. According to CDC data, the number of telehealth visits rose by 50% in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. In the last week of March 2020, telehealth visits were 154% higher than in the same week in 2019.
The growth slowed down significantly; as of 2022, 30.1% of adults had used telemedicine in the past year, compared to 37.0% in 2021, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Data show that telehealth visits were distributed unevenly among various groups of Americans. Female patients were more likely to use telehealth services than male patients (33.8% versus 26.3%). Similarly, telehealth users in large central metropolitan counties were more likely to use telehealth services (34.2%) than those in the most rural counties (19.6%).
The Future of Telehealth
The future of telehealth lies in combining video consultations with the latest technology trends. Wearable devices used for remote patient monitoring have already enabled doctors to collect patient data from home. Hospital-at-home programs are being implemented in many healthcare facilities. Some caregivers are developing artificial intelligence applications for use in telehealth to help direct patients to the appropriate level of care. Telehealth is also expected to incorporate point-of-care devices that enable clinicians to perform some examinations at a distance. Such devices include digital stethoscopes that allow remote auscultation. Handheld ultrasound machines can also transmit images during a facilitated telehealth visit.
These examinations, called telediagnosis, may be used in telehealth to help identify certain conditions. However, they are unlikely to replace a physical examination by a doctor. In addition, policies are critical to the continued adoption of telehealth. Medicare’s 2027 deadline, DEA’s prescribing guidance, and state licensure laws also contribute to the future of telehealth.
When to Choose In-Person or Emergency Care
Choosing emergency care is necessary when a patient has chest pain or difficulty breathing, is experiencing a stroke or major trauma, or is displaying other life-threatening conditions. Instead of waiting for an online appointment, calling 911 is the best option. Inpatient or outpatient care is needed for procedures or tests that require hands-on assistance. Telehealth is also the best option for follow-up consultations, prescription refills, and other approved procedures.
If unsure whether to use telehealth or inpatient or outpatient care, contacting the doctor’s office or a nurse advice line is the best option. Some telehealth care providers can recommend the appropriate level of care based on the symptoms described. If a patient calls an urgent care center or emergency room after a telehealth appointment, this will not be considered inappropriate use of either service.
Conclusion
Telehealth refers to the broad concept of health-related services provided from a distance. Telemedicine is the clinical aspect of telehealth, with telehealth encompassing non-clinical aspects, such as education or administration. Telehealth services include live video conferencing, store-and-forward technologies, remote patient monitoring, and other mobile health technologies. Ideally, a comprehensive telehealth program includes all four elements with the patient’s regular care team.
The practical considerations listed above will help choose the right type of telehealth care before the scheduled time. If all the factors that influence telehealth visits are considered, telehealth services can save hours of travel time while providing quality care.
This article is intended for general information for U.S-based audiences. Readers should always check with their private insurers or CMS for coverage-related questions since policies frequently change. In an emergency, call 911.
Frequently Asked Questions About Telehealth
Most private insurers cover telehealth, including telemedicine or remote patient monitoring, depending on the plan. Medicare and Medicaid cover it in some cases as well. Each policy will include a list of CPT and HCPCS reimbursement codes. Telehealth services typically covered by insurers include video visits, remote patient monitoring, and medication management. Patients should contact their private or employer-sponsored insurers to find out what telehealth services are covered.
Telehealthcare is telehealth care written as one word. It refers to ongoing care or support from a distance, mainly in the patient’s home. Telehealthcare covers a wide range of services, including remote monitoring, consultations, education, as well as regular check-ins with a care provider between in-person appointments.
The term telehealth relates to the entire continuum of care, including non-clinical services such as health administration or education. Telemedicine, by contrast, refers specifically to clinical services. The two terms are often used interchangeably, though telemedicine is a part of telehealth.
All telemedicine is telehealth, but not all telehealth is telemedicine.
A telemedicine appointment is a scheduled video or phone call with a clinician to discuss a specific health concern, then determine the course of treatment. A telemedicine appointment involves logging in using a link or an application, completing a brief questionnaire, discussing health concerns, and reviewing recommendations in the patient portal.
In many cases, telehealth has proven to be effective for follow-up care or chronic disease management, according to federal health agencies conducting telehealth research reviews. Telehealth services can be helpful in monitoring patients with chronic conditions, especially those needing regular check-ups, counseling, or psychotherapy. Studies have shown that telehealth services have the most significant impact on patients with heart failure or COPD. In contrast, some conditions can only be diagnosed in person, such as those requiring a physical examination or same-day imaging.
Most private insurers cover telehealth services, with some covering the equipment as well. Each plan has specific coverage criteria that outline which telehealth services qualify for reimbursement. Coverage also depends on the state where the policyholder resides. In most cases, Medicare coverage of telehealth services is time-limited, with the current telehealth policy set to expire on December 31, 2027.
In most cases, a doctor can electronically issue a prescription for the medications discussed during a telehealth appointment. Due to federal regulations, there are limitations on obtaining controlled substances through telehealth. The DEA has temporarily eased restrictions on prescribing controlled substances through telehealth, including ADHD medications.
Telehealth is secure since providers are using special platforms that are HIPAA-compliant as of August 2023. To protect their privacy, patients should use the special link or application provided by the care team. The visit itself should take place in a private setting.
A doctor can only provide telehealth services to patients in another state if that doctor holds an active license in the state where the patient resides. There are special agreements, called interstate compacts, which make obtaining multiple licenses easier for medical professionals who wish to work in more than one state. However, not all clinicians hold multi-state licenses.
