A Look at the Services Virtual Care Offers

Telehealth virtual care services allow you to safely access many different types of medical care from home. To get started, talk to your doctor to find out which virtual options fit your specific health needs. Speak with your health insurance provider to confirm your coverage before scheduling any virtual appointments. Cost-effective options that do not require insurance are also widely available.

Chronic conditions treated with telehealth

Almost every medical field uses telehealth technology to deliver virtual care. Here is how telehealth supports patients managing ongoing health conditions:

Cancer care

Specialists can review scans and lab results remotely to speed up diagnoses and coordinate care plans with local physicians. Patients can also use mobile apps to request prescription refills, transmit home device data, or track wellness goals.¹

Skin and eye conditions

Personal doctors can send images to distant specialists for fast evaluation of conditions like eczema, plaque psoriasis, and macular degeneration. This store-and-forward technology helps determine whether an in-person visit is needed and simplifies follow-up progress checks.^2,3

Neurological conditions

Doctors frequently use virtual visits to evaluate stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. Telehealth increases access to specialized care in rural areas and allows remote monitoring of motor function and tremors.⁴

Lung conditions

People with asthma, cystic fibrosis, or other lung conditions can use home-connected devices to monitor their breathing, giving specialists the data needed to fine-tune treatment plans and support self-management.⁵

Rheumatic conditions

Video appointments enable patients with lupus or rheumatoid arthritis to receive specialized care from remote doctors, bridging care gaps in regions with specialist shortages.⁶

Other chronic conditions

Virtual care supports patients with COPD, diabetes, heart disease, or Alzheimer’s disease. Home health aides or nurses can conduct regular visits, help set up remote monitoring equipment, and assist during video calls.⁷

Through telepharmacy, pharmacists can review medications, answer drug questions, manage refills, and authorize prescriptions remotely.⁸

Additionally, patients can attend mental health therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy through secure video calls.⁹

Virtual care options for acute illnesses

Virtual care offers a fast, convenient way to treat non-emergency symptoms without a trip to the doctor's office. It is generally more affordable and accessible than visiting an urgent care center or primary care clinic. Common acute conditions treated via telehealth include:^10,11

• Cold and flu symptoms
• Sinus and upper respiratory infections
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• Bronchitis
• Skin rashes (such as poison ivy or contact dermatitis)
• Mild ear pain

Is virtual care covered by insurance?

Insurance coverage for virtual services continues to expand. Because benefits vary across plans, contact your provider directly for current details on covered services and copays.

Medicare currently covers a wide range of telehealth services, including:¹²

• Annual wellness visits
• Medication management
• Diabetes self-management training
• Lung cancer screening eligibility evaluations
• Tobacco and alcohol cessation counseling
• Virtual disease management and evaluation
• Chronic care management planning
• Annual mental health screenings
• Individual or family talk therapy sessions