Make the first visit a conversation

Choose a visit you can use

Telehealth provides care using video, phone calls, or exchanges online in place of meeting in a room together. During an in-person appointment, the doctor or other health professional providing care is in the room with you.

• Find out if you will meet live or have your information reviewed at a later time.
• Ask how to talk with the person treating you if a questionnaire leaves something out.
• Ask whether any part of the health review needs an in-person visit.

Know what agreeing to an online visit means

California rules checked September 28, 2026 require your spoken or written agreement to telehealth, with that agreement recorded.

Agreeing to telehealth does not rule out in-person care later.

As of September 26, 2026, California permits an assessment by questionnaire only if it meets the required standard of care.

That means the usual level of care expected for the visit. A completed questionnaire does not by itself prove that the person treating you has enough information to decide about medicine.

• Ask: “Have you reviewed my medicines, allergies, health history, and answers before deciding?”
• Ask: “Is anything missing that needs a conversation, an examination, or a test?”
• Ask how you can ask questions in return.
• Ask whether the health review can end without a prescription.