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Care, checked.

A workbook for your care search

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.

Before Bring your health notes

During Discuss the proposed care

After Know how to ask for help

Ask about the whole care path.

## 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.

FSMB: guidance on prescribing

## 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.

FSMB: remote-care assessment

## 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.

US law: prescription medicines

## 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

## Carry this forward

Ask about the assessment before the prescription.

Know how to continue the conversation after the visit.

Check the proposed medicine →

This workbook is a guide for checking care, not a clinic where care is given or a seller of treatments.

Look at the evidence Read this chapter as text Read the check path as text

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Opening page Begin with your goal Check a licence Read reviews Check the evidence Understand visits Name the medicine Write out the cost Check coverage Plan for problems Take your questions