Telemedicine services can help you connect with clinicians anywhere. Review how to access telemedicine securely without risking your health information.

Telemedicine enables you to speak with verified clinicians, manage medications, access your test results, and maintain care while away from home. Video visits and virtual communications are encrypted, and many telemedicine platforms send prescriptions directly to your preferred pharmacy.

Services like Omnia Telehealth can connect you to clinicians for secure video visits. Text chat, integrated electronic health records, and secure patient portals keep you in touch with your care team. When you visit online with privacy in mind, telemedicine can be safe and convenient.

Telemedicine Today

Many medical care organizations provide virtual services designed to connect patients to care.

These services often include:

• Secure video visits
• Encrypted text chat
• File storage and messaging
• Electronic health record integration
• Wearable devices and home monitoring equipment

Patients can check in with their clinicians to review blood pressure readings, refill medications, and evaluate test results without scheduling in-person appointments.

Using remote healthcare services can expand access to specialist care, make follow-up appointments more convenient, and allow patients to connect with clinicians while traveling.

Security Guidelines for Telemedicine

HIPAA-Compliant telemedicine websites should protect your privacy and health information.

Platforms should prioritize:

• Encrypted video visits and messaging
• Strong account authentication
• Privacy policies and patient consent
• Tracking of who views your medical information

Clinicians should only be able to access your health records if you allow them.

Privacy When Accessing Medical Care Online

HIPAA regulates medical privacy in the United States. Patients should look for secure services that provide medical consultations and maintain patient privacy.

Data Security

Encryption is essential for secure telemedicine. All data should be encrypted while transmitted to clinic servers and stored on electronic health records.

Messaging systems, file storage, and video visit services should use strong encryption standards.

Ensure that telemedicine providers use up-to-date technology and secure servers.

Legal Compliance

HIPAA law applies to medical providers in the United States. If you are using telemedicine services located outside the US, look for providers that comply with the EU’s GDPR regulation.

Patients should:

• Confirm the provider has Business Associate Agreements with their technology vendors.
• Read privacy policies.
• Ask about data breach notification procedures.

Maintaining privacy is the responsibility of both patients and healthcare providers.

Questions to Ask When Shopping for Telemedicine

Patients should understand how medical platforms keep your data private before starting care with a new clinic or doctor.

Providers should be:

• HIPAA compliant or compliant with privacy regulations in their country
• Security audited by a third-party
• Transparent about their privacy practices
• Clear about how they obtain patient consent

Telemedicine platforms should also provide doctor profiles with full licensing and certification information.

Verify that Doctors are Who They Say They Are

Many doctors are able to provide virtual care nationally and globally. However, doctors should be certified and licensed to practice in the state or country that you are physically located.

Verify that doctors providing virtual care:

• Hold current licenses
• Have board certification
• Display credentials on their profile
• Include their scope of practice when providing telemedicine

Logging into patient portals should always require more than just a password.

Multi-Factor Authentication for Patient Portals

Patient accounts should utilize multi-factor authentication. This ensures that only you can access your health records.

Forms of authentication include:

• Authenticator apps for logging into your account
• Strong passwords and automatic logouts
• Device-level authentication like screen locks and encryption
• Notifications when someone accesses your account

Private Patient Health Information

Patients should take care when accessing their health information from clinic servers.

Rather than sharing medical information over email, use a secure patient portal to communicate with your clinic. Also avoid uploading or forwarding health records through insecure chat applications.

Devices should also be protected by:

• Screen locks
• Encryption
• Updated software

Using a virtual private network can help protect your information on public networks.

Electronic Medical Record Data Protection

Clinics store patient medical records in electronic health record databases. Access to medical records should be tightly controlled.

Effective controls include:

• Role-based permissions
• Access audits
• Vendor access restrictions
• Alerts when someone accesses your information

Managing Chronic Conditions Remotely

Remote care can help patients continue seeing the same doctors even when away from home. If you have chronic conditions or regularly see the same care team, online medical visits can be a valuable option.

Telemedicine gives you access to specialists

Thanks to telemedicine technology, you can speak with specialists that might be located across town, across the state, or even in another country.

Specialists can provide follow-up care based on your medical records, review images or tests, and offer treatment recommendations ”

Using remote healthcare services can greatly increase access to specialist care for patients that cannot easily travel.

Telemedicine Can Keep You Connected to Your Doctor

If you travel often or live abroad, telemedicine can help you continue working with your home clinic.

Virtual visits allow you to check-in with your doctor while traveling and use secure messaging to review lab work, refill prescriptions, and monitor chronic conditions.

If you ever need to visit with a local clinician, your medical records can be shared to allow providers to coordinate on your care.

Receive Medications After Online Visits

Many pharmacies can fill prescriptions electronically received from your doctor. Transmission of prescriptions to pharmacies is secure.

Having medications sent directly to your preferred pharmacy can:

• Eliminate prescription errors.
• Allow pharmacies to review drug interactions.
• Ensure your pharmacist has access to your medication history.

Some telemedicine services also offer mail-order pharmacies. If you live abroad, you can often use telemedicine to fill prescriptions that can be shipped to your address.

Shopping for Online Pharmacies

Patients should make sure pharmacies can be trusted before sending sensitive medical information or paying for medication.

Tips for finding a reputable online pharmacy:

• Confirm that the pharmacy is licensed by national regulatory authorities.
• Verify that the pharmacy lists contact information.
• Look for secure payment options.
• Confirm that licensed pharmacists are available to answer your questions.

Online pharmacies should display their licensing number. Patients can also search health agency websites to ensure pharmacies are registered.

Takeaways: Telemedicine Services

Online medical services and telemedicine can allow patients to visit with doctors from the comfort of their own home. With increased access to care, patients can protect their privacy by:

• Reviewing provider credentials
• Confirming websites use encryption
• Using secure networks when accessing medical information

Telemedicine care doesn’t need to put your privacy at risk. Learn how to use telemedicine services safely and speak with your doctor from anywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can telemedicine be trusted with my data?

A: When using HIPAA-compliant websites that comply with US privacy laws, your health information should be encrypted and kept private.

Q2: What devices can I use to visit with doctors online?

A: Smartphones, tablets, and computers can typically be used to video visit with your doctor. Visiting with your doctor should be as simple as using a video-chat service.

Q3: Can doctors prescribe medications during video visits?

A: Yes. Doctors can prescribe medications that can be filled at your local pharmacy after visiting with you online. Many medications can be prescribed remotely.

Q4: Are online doctors suitable for emergencies?

A: Online doctors should not be used for emergencies. If you have a life-threatening emergency, contact emergency services or present to your nearest hospital.

Q5: Can I access telemedicine if I’m traveling?

A: As long as the doctor is licensed in the state or country you are traveling to, you can typically still see your doctor and access telemedicine services.