Telehealth Guide for Seniors – See Your Doctor from Home

What Is Telehealth?

Telehealth means seeing your doctor through a video call on your phone, tablet, or computer — instead of driving to the office. You and your doctor can see each other face-to-face, just like a FaceTime or Zoom call.

Think of it this way: It's a doctor's appointment where you stay in your pajamas.

What Telehealth Can Handle

• Follow-up visits for ongoing conditions
• Medication reviews and refills
• Cold and flu symptoms
• Skin rashes and conditions (show the doctor on camera)
• Mental health counseling
• Lab result discussions
• Blood pressure and diabetes management
• Post-surgery check-ins
• Nutrition and diet advice

What Still Needs In-Person Visits

• Physical examinations
• Blood tests and lab work
• X-rays, MRIs, and imaging
• Vaccinations
• Surgeries and procedures
• Emergencies (call 911)

Why Seniors Love Telehealth

• No driving — Especially valuable for those who don't drive or live in rural areas
• No waiting room — Skip the 45-minute wait surrounded by sick people
• No exposure to illness — Stay safe from flu and COVID in waiting rooms
• More convenient — Appointments from your living room
• Easier for mobility issues — No navigating parking lots, elevators, or long hallways
• Family can join — Adult children can participate in the call from their own location
• Shorter appointments — Telehealth visits are often more focused and efficient
• Same quality of care — Studies show telehealth is equally effective for many conditions

Does Medicare Cover Telehealth?

Yes! Medicare has expanded telehealth coverage significantly:

• Medicare Part B covers telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person visits
• You pay the same copay or coinsurance as an office visit (typically 20% after deductible)
• Medicare Advantage plans often include additional telehealth benefits
• No geographic restrictions — You can use telehealth from anywhere, including your home
• Many plans cover telehealth visits with specialists, mental health providers, and therapists

Check with your plan: Call the number on your Medicare card and ask "Does my plan cover telehealth visits?" — the answer is almost always yes.

How to Do Your First Telehealth Visit

Step 1: Schedule the Appointment

Through your doctor's office:

1. Call your doctor's office
2. Ask: "Can I schedule a telehealth visit instead of coming in?"
3. They'll tell you if your concern can be handled virtually
4. You'll receive an email or text with a link for the video visit

Through a telehealth service:

If your doctor doesn't offer telehealth, these services connect you with a doctor:

• Teladoc — Covered by many insurance plans
• MDLive — Also covered by many plans
• Amazon Clinic — Pay per visit, no insurance needed
• GoodRx Care — Affordable cash-pay visits

Step 2: Prepare for Your Visit

The day before:

• Write down your symptoms and questions
• Have your medication bottles handy (the doctor may ask about dosages)
• Know your pharmacy name and location (in case they prescribe something)
• Have your insurance card nearby

30 minutes before:

• Find a quiet, well-lit room
• Sit facing a window for good lighting on your face
• Charge your phone or tablet
• Test your internet connection (go to fast.com — you need at least 3 Mbps)
• Close unnecessary apps

15 minutes before:

• Click the link from your doctor's office
• Allow camera and microphone access when asked
• Wait in the virtual waiting room

Step 3: During the Visit

• Speak clearly and describe your symptoms
• Show the doctor things they need to see: a rash, swollen joint, medication bottles
• Take notes or ask a family member to join the call
• Ask questions — "What should I do if it gets worse?" "When should I come in person?"
• The doctor may:
• Send a prescription to your pharmacy
• Order lab tests for you to do locally
• Schedule a follow-up (virtual or in-person)
• Refer you to a specialist

Step 4: After the Visit

• Check your patient portal for visit notes and instructions
• Pick up any prescriptions at your pharmacy
• Schedule any follow-up tests or visits
• The visit is billed to insurance just like a regular appointment

Using Your Patient Portal (MyChart)

Most hospitals and doctor's offices use MyChart or a similar patient portal. This is a website/app where you can:

• Send messages to your doctor (like email)
• View test results when they're ready
• Request prescription refills
• Schedule appointments (including telehealth)
• View your medical records
• Pay bills

Setting Up MyChart

1. Ask your doctor's office for a MyChart activation code
2. Go to mychart.com or download the MyChart app
3. Click "Sign Up" and enter your activation code
4. Create a username and password
5. Set up your profile

Sending a Message to Your Doctor

1. Open MyChart
2. Tap "Messages"
3. Tap "New Message"
4. Select your doctor
5. Choose a topic (Medical question, Medication refill, etc.)
6. Type your message and send

Pro tip: Use MyChart messaging for non-urgent questions. You'll usually get a response within 1-2 business days. For urgent matters, call the office. For emergencies, call 911.

Setting Up Your Device for Telehealth

On iPad or Tablet (Recommended)

Tablets are the best device for telehealth — the screen is large enough to see your doctor clearly.

1. Make sure your tablet is charged
2. Download the app your doctor uses (usually sent in the appointment email)
3. Common telehealth apps: MyChart, Doximity, Zoom for Healthcare, Doxy.me
4. Test your camera: open the Camera app and make sure you can see yourself
5. Test your speaker: play a YouTube video and make sure you can hear it

On Smartphone

1. Works well, just a smaller screen
2. Use a phone stand or prop it against something at eye level
3. Hold it in landscape (sideways) for a wider view

On Computer

1. You usually don't need to download anything — the link opens in your web browser
2. Make sure your computer has a camera (most laptops do; desktop computers may need a USB webcam)
3. When prompted, click "Allow" for camera and microphone access
4. Use Chrome or Safari for best compatibility

Preparing Your Health Information

Having this information ready makes telehealth visits much more productive:

Keep a Health Notebook

Write down and keep near your phone/tablet:

• Your current medications (name, dose, how often)
• Allergies
• Recent symptoms and when they started
• Blood pressure readings (if you monitor at home)
• Blood sugar readings (if diabetic)
• Questions for the doctor
• Your pharmacy name and phone number

Connected Health Devices

Some devices can share data directly with your doctor:

• Blood pressure monitors — Omron and Withings models sync with phone apps
• Blood glucose monitors — Many connect to apps that your doctor can view
• Pulse oximeters — Measure blood oxygen levels
• Smart scales — Track weight over time

Helpful for telehealth: If you have a blood pressure cuff at home, take a reading before your telehealth visit. The doctor will want to know your current numbers.

Telehealth for Mental Health

Telehealth is especially popular for mental health care:

• Therapy sessions work just as well over video
• No stigma — No one sees you walk into a therapist's office
• More frequent access — Easier to schedule weekly sessions
• Medicare covers it — Mental health telehealth visits are covered
• BetterHelp and Talkspace — Online therapy services with licensed therapists ($60-$100/week, some insurance accepted)

Tips for the Best Telehealth Experience

Lighting

• Sit facing a window or lamp
• Light should be on YOUR face, not behind you
• Avoid sitting with a bright window behind you (you'll look like a shadow)

Sound

• Use a quiet room
• Close the door and turn off the TV
• Speak in your normal voice — you don't need to shout
• If you're hard of hearing, use headphones or earbuds for better sound
• Some apps offer live captions

Camera Position

• Hold your device at eye level or slightly above
• Stack books to prop up a tablet
• Sit about 2 feet from the camera
• Make sure your full face is visible

Connection

• Use Wi-Fi, not cellular data
• Sit close to your router for the strongest signal
• Close other apps and browser tabs
• If video keeps freezing, turn off your camera — audio-only still works

Common Concerns

"I'm not comfortable with technology"

You don't need to be! Most telehealth links work like this: click a link, allow the camera, and talk. That's it. If you can make a phone call, you can do telehealth. Ask a family member to help you with the first visit — after that, you'll know exactly what to do.

"I prefer seeing my doctor in person"

That's completely valid. Telehealth doesn't replace in-person care — it supplements it. Use telehealth for simple follow-ups and medication reviews, and save in-person visits for things that need a physical exam. Many patients alternate between telehealth and in-person visits.

"What about privacy?"

Telehealth platforms are required by law to protect your health information (HIPAA). Your video calls are encrypted and not recorded unless you're specifically told. It's actually more private than discussing health issues in a thin-walled exam room.

"My doctor doesn't offer telehealth"

Ask again — most do now. If they truly don't, consider telehealth services like Teladoc or MDLive for non-emergency visits. Or ask your doctor if they use phone-only consultations (audio without video), which is even simpler.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use telehealth if I don't have internet?

You need internet for video visits, but many doctors also offer phone-only visits (just a regular phone call). Ask when you schedule: "Can we do this visit by phone?" Medicare covers phone visits too.

Can my family member join the telehealth call?

Yes! Most platforms allow multiple participants. Your adult child can join from their own phone, even from another city. Just share the meeting link with them or ask the doctor's office to add them.

What if the technology doesn't work during my appointment?

Don't panic. The doctor's office can call you by regular phone to finish the visit. Most telehealth platforms also have a tech support number you can call. If the video isn't working, audio-only is perfectly fine.

Are telehealth visits shorter than in-person visits?

Often yes — telehealth visits tend to be 10-15 minutes for follow-ups versus 15-20 minutes in-person. They're more focused because there's no physical exam component. You still get the same quality of medical advice.

Can I get prescriptions through telehealth?

Yes! Your doctor can send prescriptions electronically to your pharmacy during or after the telehealth visit. Most medications can be prescribed via telehealth. Controlled substances have some restrictions that vary by state, but your doctor will know what's allowed.