PERMISSION FOR TELEHEALTH VISITS
What is telehealth?
Telehealth is a way to visit with healthcare providers, such as your doctor or nurse practitioner.
You can talk to your provider from any place, including your home. You don’t go to a clinic or doctor’s office.
How do I use telehealth?
You talk to your provider by phone in limited circumstances or if technical difficulties prevent video usage.
We prefer you to use video during your visits so you and your provider can see each other. You can use a smart phone, tablet, laptop, or computer. Your device must have a camera and a microphone.
How does telehealth help me?
You don’t have to go to a clinic or office to see your provider.
You won’t risk getting sick from other people.
Decreases the time you need to take off work, eliminates transportation issues.
Can telehealth be bad for me?
You and your provider won’t be in the same room, so it may feel different than an office visit.
Your provider may make a mistake because they cannot examine you as closely as at an office visit. (We don’t know if mistakes are more common with telehealth visits.)
Your provider may decide you still need an office visit.
Technical problems may interrupt or stop your visit before you are done.
Will my telehealth visit be private?
We will not record visits with your provider.
If people are close to you, they may hear something you did not want them to know. You should be in a private place, so other people cannot hear you.
Your provider will tell you if someone else from their office can hear or see you.
We use telehealth technology that is designed to protect your privacy.
If you use the Internet for telehealth, use a network that is private and secure.
There is a very small chance that someone could use technology to hear or see your telehealth visit.
What if I want an office visit, not a telehealth visit?
For now, almost all visits are by telehealth.
You can schedule an office visit if you prefer: Please let us know when you schedule your appointment that you want to have an in-person office visit.
Our office is in Northwest Austin.
What if I try telehealth and don’t like it?
You can stop using telehealth any time, even during a telehealth visit.
You can get an office visit if you no longer want a telehealth visit.
If you decide you do not want to use telehealth again:
Call (737) 738- 6277 and say you want to do an in-person office visit.
Office visits are scheduled in advance only. Appointment days or times may be limited.
This form only gives permission to do a telehealth visit. If you do not feel comfortable with telehealth, please let our staff know and we will schedule in person visits going forward.
How much does a telehealth visit cost?
A telehealth visit will not cost any more than an office visit.
If your provider decides you need an office visit in addition to your telehealth visit, you may have to pay for both visits.
Do I have to sign this document?
No. Only sign this document if you are willing to use/ try telehealth.
Please sign this form prior to your first telehealth visit. If you have any questions, please feel free to let our staff know and we will do our best to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
What does it mean if I sign this document?
If you sign this document, you agree that:
We talked about the information in this document.
We answered all your questions.
You want a telehealth visit. Copies of this form are available upon request. Please let us know what format you prefer and how you would like the copy sent (regular mail versus email)