Benefits 101 / Employee guide
How to use telehealth with your health plan.
Virtual care can make some appointments easier to attend. Start with access, cost, privacy, and whether the clinician can address your concern remotely.
Quick answer
Check which virtual providers your plan covers and what you will pay. A clinician should determine whether your concern is suitable for a virtual visit or needs an in-person exam or testing.
Two ways to access a virtual visit
| Option | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Your usual clinician by video or phone | Is this visit available virtually, covered by my plan, and appropriate for my concern? |
| A plan-designated virtual service | Which services, appointment times, ages, and locations are supported? How are records shared with my usual clinician? |
Before booking
- Confirm the provider and service are covered by your exact plan.
- Ask whether a copay, deductible, or coinsurance applies; virtual care is not automatically free.
- Tell the service where you will physically be during the visit, especially when traveling.
- Ask about accessibility, interpretation, and technical requirements before the appointment.
Prepare for the conversation
Use a private place and a stable connection. Have your medication list, questions, ID card, and preferred pharmacy details ready. Ask what happens if the connection fails or the clinician recommends in-person follow-up.
For a medical emergency, call 911. Do not rely on an ordinary scheduled telehealth appointment for emergency response.
A current HSA distinction
Federal law now permanently permits qualifying telehealth and remote-care coverage before the deductible without, by itself, disqualifying an otherwise eligible person from HSA contributions, for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2025. This does not require your plan to offer free virtual visits, and other HSA eligibility conditions still apply.
Sources checked September 19, 2026. General information; your plan and circumstances matter.
HHS · telehealthHHS · privacyIRS · telehealth