Using telehealth for your care needs

Person having a video visit with a doctor

In part 2 of this 3-part series on telehealth at Kaiser Permanente, you can see what types of care you can get using telehealth.

Article 1: Get to know telehealth

Article 2: Using telehealth for your care needs

Article 3: Telehealth is easy — here’s how it works at Kaiser Permanente

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.

Routine care

Treating expected care needs and catching problems before you get sick are important parts of staying healthy. That’s where scheduled routine care, like preventive screenings and annual checkups, come in.

If you can’t visit your doctor in person, telehealth can help you get many scheduled routine care services throughout your care journey.

You can often use telehealth to:

Have regular checkups for an ongoing condition or regular visits with your doctor.
Receive follow-up care after a procedure so a doctor can see how you’re feeling and adjust your treatment plan.
Get medication prescribed by a doctor or request refills.

Your best telehealth options¹

Phone appointment

Video visit

E-visit

Member using their phone to access care from Kaiser Permanente

Care from a specialist

Person video chatting with a doctor from home

Specialty care services, like pediatrics, dermatology, and physical therapy, are also available with telehealth. You can see a specialist for the first time (with a referral if one’s needed), follow up on a past diagnosis, request prescriptions to manage an ongoing condition, and more — without having to go to the doctor's office every time.

Plus, because everyone on your Kaiser Permanente care team is connected through your electronic health record, specialists can consult with you and your doctor remotely during your other scheduled appointments to help make decisions and recommend treatment.

Your best telehealth options¹

Phone appointment

Video visit

E-visit

Sudden health issues

When it comes to your health, you can’t always plan for everything. If a health issue pops up that can’t wait for a routine visit, telehealth is here to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can get 24/7 virtual care from Kaiser Permanente clinicians across the U.S. We offer phone and video visits, one-on-one advice over the phone, and online self-care support. So you can easily get care for the unexpected — and have peace of mind knowing we’re standing by to help.

Your best telehealth options¹

24/7 virtual care¹

24/7 advice

E-visit

standing person chatting virtually with his doctor

Don’t use telehealth for urgent or emergency care
If you’re having a medical or mental health emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.²If you have a care need that isn’t an emergency but requires prompt medical attention, go to urgent care.³

Health questions or advice

Person talking on the phone with Kaiser Permanente team member

Don’t just search for symptoms online. Get answers to health questions directly from your care team. Call our 24/7 advice line to talk with a clinician day or night for advice. Or use our kp.org message center to securely email your doctor or care team with nonurgent health questions or medication updates, including questions about any side effects you may be having. You’ll get a reply from your doctor or care team usually within 2 business days.

Your best telehealth options

24/7 advice

Remote patient monitoring

Some conditions may be eligible for at-home management. If your care team decides that your condition is eligible, you may be able to use remote monitoring. If eligible, you can use devices like a blood pressure monitor, weight scale, or blood sugar (glucose) monitor to manage your health from home.

Your best virtual care options

Blood pressure monitor

Weight scale

Blood sugar (glucose) monitor

person performing a blood pressure check remotely

Refill a prescription

Pharmacy envelope for prescription delivery

You can request a refill when it works best for you, without emailing your doctor or visiting the pharmacy. If doctor approval is needed, you can rest assured the pharmacist has it covered. To skip a trip to the pharmacy, just use kp.org or the Kaiser Permanente app to have most prescriptions delivered directly to your front door within a few days — at no extra cost.

Your best virtual care options

Mobile device or computer

View your medical records

Get your medical information when you need it. View your test results, vaccination and immunization details, visit summaries, and medical forms online. All your records are in one convenient place, so it’s easy to view or print your or your family’s medical records. Need specific forms completed? We have you covered there too.

Your best virtual care options

Mobile device or computer

Person viewing medical information on laptop

Manage your health
The Kaiser Permanente app and kp.org can help you stay on top of your health between appointments, connect directly with your care team, and more. No matter how you get care — or who provides it — your medical history is online at your fingertips.

Email your doctor’s office with nonurgent health questions.
Schedule routine appointments.
View your medical history, including most lab results, allergies and immunizations, and past visit information.
Fill or refill most prescriptions.
Pay bills.
Connect to video visits.

Next: Telehealth is easy — here’s how it works at Kaiser Permanente
Take a closer look at what it’s like to use telehealth at Kaiser Permanente. Check out our third article in this series. >>

Footnotes
¹When appropriate and available. If you travel out of state, phone appointments and video visits may not be available in select states due to licensing laws. Laws differ by state.
²If you believe you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. For the complete definition of an emergency medical condition, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or other coverage documents.
³An urgent care need is one that requires prompt medical attention, usually within 24 or 48 hours, but is not an emergency medical condition. These can include minor injuries, backaches, earaches, sore throats, coughs, upper-respiratory symptoms, and frequent urination or a burning sensation when urinating.