Today, getting care doesn’t just mean making an appointment and driving to the doctor’s office. In fact, many of your health needs can be handled at home with something called “telehealth” — a convenient way to get care with just your mobile device or computer.

So, the next time a fever pops up in the middle of the night, or you’re wrestling with allergies during vacation, just remember one thing: You’ve got many ways to get care — over the phone, by video, and online. After all, health happens everywhere. Your care shouldn’t be any different.

Get to Know Telehealth

Telehealth makes it easy to get the care you need and save time along the way. However, it does work differently than a typical office visit. Knowing what to expect — and what to have on hand — can help you get the most out of your care.

Check out at all the ways you can get care, how they work, and how to get started with each one.

How Telehealth Works

At Kaiser Permanente, telehealth can help you get the same high-quality care you expect from an office visit. And while some services simply can’t be done over the phone or on a computer, you might be surprised by how many can.

From getting in touch with a doctor to filling prescriptions, let’s look at what care you can get using telehealth — and which options work best for the care you need.

When to use Telehealth for your care needs

Teletherapy has lots of benefits. Scheduling may be more flexible, so you can choose times that work best for you. You don’t have to travel to an office or spend time in a waiting room. You can use your own device in your own home, which may help you feel more comfortable. Some people find it easier to talk to a therapist on a screen than face-to-face. And teletherapy may cost less than regular counseling sessions.

If you’re ready to give it a try, follow these steps to get started.

1. Find a therapist.Check with your provider. The Kaiser website may have a list of therapists who are covered by your plan.

   If you’ve seen a therapist before, ask if they offer teletherapy. Many do these days.

2. Connect with the therapist.
   • Make your appointment. Try to choose a time when you’ll be alone or won’t be interrupted.
   • Have  your insurance card ready so they can check your coverage and copay.
   • Find out what you’ll need to be successful. You might need to use a certain internet browser or download an app. You may need to provide an email address so you can get a link to join the session.
3. Prepare ahead for success.A day or two before your session:
   • Choose the device you’ll use. This might be a computer, a phone, or a tablet. To get more privacy, you might want to use headphones or earbuds and a mic.
   • Decide on a location. Choose a place that’s private and quiet and has a good internet connection.
   • Think about the issues you want to discuss. It may help to make notes that you can use during your session.
4. Get set, and start your appointment.A few minutes before your appointment:
   • Check your device. If it isn’t fully charged, plug it in. Position the camera the way you want it. Check the audio and video settings.
   • Gather the things you’ll need. Be sure that you have the link to get into your session. Have a pen and paper handy, as well as any notes you made.
   • Get comfortable. Close the door or do what you can to ensure your privacy. If others are at home, ask them not to disturb you.

   Sign into your session a few minutes early. Be ready to introduce yourself and provide some identifiers, like your name and address.

5. Be patient with the process (and yourself). At its best, video conferencing is easy to use and works great. But glitches are pretty common. If the video doesn’t work, you may be able to continue the appointment with a phone call.

   For lots of people, it takes time to find a therapist they connect with. If you have one or two sessions and don’t find them helpful, don’t give up on counseling. Try again with someone else. A different therapist may be a better fit for you.