How to use telehealth when you have no insurance

What telehealth is

Telehealth means getting care from a health professional by phone or video instead of in person. The federal telehealth website comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which we will call HHS. It says you can talk with your provider by phone or video. Messages to your provider and health numbers shared from home, such as blood pressure, are also part of telehealth.

Most visits need internet and a device such as a smartphone, computer or tablet. The same site says to ask about a phone call if you do not have a device with video. When your home internet is weak, you can ask about a phone visit or use free internet at a library. This page is general information and is not medical advice.

Telehealth can help with many everyday problems

The HHS telehealth site lists some everyday examples. They include checking on common problems like headaches or infections, getting help for colds or an upset stomach, and looking at skin problems. The site also names talking to someone about your feelings, or about problems with alcohol or drugs, and checking in with a provider after surgery.

A virtual visit may also be a way to ask about test results or to find out whether you need to be seen in person. Our guide on the cost of a doctor visit without insurance explains what drives the price of any visit, and the same ideas apply here.

Some problems still need an in-person visit

The HHS site says you may need to see your provider in person sometimes. The site adds that telehealth may not be right for everyone or for every health condition. Some care needs a hands-on exam, a lab test, an X-ray or a procedure, and a screen cannot provide those.

Telehealth is not the right choice for an emergency. If you have chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke or a serious injury, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988, which is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The line is free and open all day and night.

When you book, ask the office what problems it treats by telehealth and whether telehealth is right for your problem. The HHS site suggests asking exactly that, and a good office will tell you honestly if you need to come in.

Where to find lower-cost virtual visits

The HHS telehealth site says that health centers help everyone, even people with no health insurance who cannot pay a lot. Health centers provide care to people with no health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance, the site adds. Many health centers offer visits by phone or video, so a call is worth making. Our guides on community health centers and sliding scale clinics explain how the income-based pricing works.

A direct primary care practice is another option. This is a monthly membership with a doctor that usually costs $50 to $200 a month. Ask whether visits by phone, text or video are included, and what is not included. Our directory lets you search for a cash-pay doctor near you to see which doctors list their prices.

Some websites and apps sell one-time virtual visits to people who pay on their own. We do not name or recommend any, since prices and quality differ and we cannot check each one. The safety tips below apply to any of them.

Find the self-pay price before you book

The HHS site says the cost depends on your insurance status and coverage. It tells people to call ahead to learn what a visit might cost, and with no insurance that means asking for the self-pay price. The short script below can help with that call.

1. Start by saying, "I do not have insurance, so what is the total price for a telehealth visit?"
2. Ask what the price covers, including any follow-up message, prescription refill or lab order.
3. Ask whether a phone-only visit costs less than a video visit.
4. Ask if there is a charge when you cancel or when the connection fails.
5. When you schedule ahead, ask for a good faith estimate in writing.

A good faith estimate is a written price quote. Federal rules say providers must give one to people who pay without insurance when they schedule care in advance or ask for one. Before you book, read our guide on the good faith estimate and our phone script on how to ask for the cash price.

Get ready before the visit

A little preparation helps a short visit go well. Write down your main problem, when it started and what you have tried. Keep a list of your medicines and allergies nearby, along with any recent test results. Charge your device and test the camera and sound a few minutes early. If you own a blood pressure cuff or a thermometer, keep it close so you can share the numbers.

Safety tips for any virtual visit

• Ask for the name and type of the clinician, and look up the license on your state medical board's website. A license lets a provider legally practice in a state, and HHS says providers should confirm where you are during the visit.
• Pick a private spot for the visit, because others should not overhear it. The HHS site also says to check that your provider uses a secure, private way to communicate online.
• Keep your medicine list ready, along with your allergies and any recent test results.
• Ask for a written summary of what the clinician found and what happens next.
• Save your receipt and the written price, in case you need to ask for a bill review.

You can walk away if a company asks for payment before it tells you the price, or will not tell you who the clinician is. Telehealth should make care easier, and it is fine to say no to a visit you do not feel good about.