Understand care
Compare the visit, then ask about the follow-up
Telehealth means getting care at a distance. Picture the conversation before you commit to a service.
Picture each kind of visit
In a room
Ask what will happen at the visit, who you will see, and whether an exam or test is part of the plan.
For follow-up, ask whether you would return to the same place or use another kind of visit.
At a distance
Ask whether the visit uses video, a call or a form reviewed later. Find out who reviews your answers and how you can raise questions of your own.
If your care professional needs to examine you in person, ask how to arrange that as part of follow-up.
Use these questions to compare an office visit with care at a distance.
Standards for care and a real assessment
As of September 30, 2026, Washington requires online care to meet the same professional standards as comparable care in person.
That includes checking identity, protecting privacy and getting informed consent, meaning agreement after the care is explained.
A message alone cannot start the relationship
As of September 30, 2026, Washington allows a patient relationship to begin through telehealth, but not through email, text, instant messaging or fax alone.
Washington law also includes visits where you send health information for review later. A live video call is not required for every first visit. That does not mean any online form is enough to start care. Ask how the service reviews your health and lets you ask questions.
A form needs room for a real assessment
The Federation of State Medical Boards rejects making treatment choices from a patient’s menu selection alone in guidance it adopted in May 2026.
That guidance calls for a route through which patients can raise questions after the visit.
This is guidance for boards, rather than a Washington law.
Know what happens after the screen closes
Find out how you can contact your care professional, receive replies and arrange an exam or test if needed.