The visit check
Know what the visit involves
Bring your goal into the assessment
Prepare a note about your health, medicines, and what you have tried. Ask how the doctor will assess the problem before choosing a treatment.
- BeforeBring your health notes
- DuringDiscuss the proposed care
- AfterKnow how to ask for help
Choose how to discuss your care
Telehealth is care over video, phone, or an online form, rather than sharing a room with the doctor.
The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) says the care standard must be the same for a remote visit and a visit in a room.
For a room visit, ask what to bring. For remote care, find out if the doctor will speak with you live or read information you send for later review. Ask how you can respond to their questions.
Expect room for your own questions
In guidance checked as of September 26, 2026, the FSMB says picking a treatment from a menu is not enough to meet the care standard.
That FSMB guidance says patients need a way to ask the doctor questions after the visit.
Read the FSMB guidance on prescribing
Ask the state medical board—the body that licenses doctors—how this guidance applies where you will receive care.
Ask how tests or a room visit are arranged
FSMB guidance says a doctor must arrange any needed examination or tests, or refer you to a person who can provide them.
State rules on getting a prescription after an online assessment vary, as of September 26, 2026.
Read the FSMB guidance on remote assessment
Ask which part of the assessment can be done remotely and what would need a visit in person.
Check that a prescription is involved
A prescription is a licensed health professional’s order for a medicine.
As of September 26, 2026, handing out a prescription medicine without that order is against federal law.
Read the prescription rule
Ask how the doctor’s order reaches the pharmacy, and who can answer questions about it.
Set out the care path
- How the first assessment works
- Any tests or examination to discuss
- How I can ask questions afterward
- When we would review the plan