Telehealth Appointments: How to Prepare for a Video Visit
How to set up your device, space and information for a video or phone appointment with a health care provider, based on HHS telehealth guidance.
Independent guide — not a government website. Book My Service can’t book or change appointments, and we aren’t affiliated with organizations named here. General information, not medical advice. In an emergency, call 911. Rules and fees change — confirm with the official source before you go.
Key points
- Test your internet connection and device before the appointment, and join a few minutes early.
- Choose a quiet, private, well-lit spot and keep the camera steady at eye level.
- Have your medicine list, recent readings and written questions ready, just as for an in-person visit.
Check the basics when you book
Ask the office how the visit will happen: which app or link, whether you need an account, and whether it is a video or phone visit. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) telehealth site also suggests checking cost — your provider or insurer can tell you whether telehealth is covered and what you might owe.
If you need help such as captioning or screen reader support, HHS suggests asking your provider about it in advance.
Test your technology ahead of time
HHS recommends testing your internet connection and device before the visit. A day or two before:
- Install any app the provider uses and sign in.
- Check that your camera, microphone and speakers work, and that the app has permission to use them.
- Charge your device, or keep it plugged in during the visit.
- Close other apps that might slow your connection.
On the day, join a few minutes early so you have time to make sure your camera is on and your audio is unmuted.
Set up your space
HHS’s tips for a good video visit:
- Lighting: sit where your face is well lit so the provider can see you clearly — light in front of you, not behind.
- Steady camera: set a laptop on a table or prop up a phone or tablet, with the camera at about eye level and you centered in the frame.
- Privacy: pick a quiet, comfortable place where you can talk freely. Headphones help keep the conversation private.
Have your information ready
Prepare as you would for an office visit (see preparing for a doctor appointment): an updated medicine list, any recent readings such as weight or blood pressure if you track them, and your questions written down. Keep a pen and paper nearby for notes, and have your pharmacy’s details handy in case a prescription is sent.
If the connection fails
HHS suggests contacting the provider’s office — by message or phone — if the video won’t start. Ask at the start of the visit what number they will call if you get disconnected.
When telehealth isn’t the right choice
Some problems need an in-person examination. For emergencies, call 911 instead of booking a video visit. See urgent care or the emergency room?
This guide is general information, not medical advice.
Sources and official links
We checked these sources on . Official pages change, so the live page always wins over this guide.