What Telehealth Means
Telehealth — sometimes called telemedicine — lets patients receive medical care virtually without an in-person office visit. Telehealth is done primarily online with internet access on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Types of Medical Care Available Through Telehealth
Telehealth can be used for a variety of healthcare services, including:
- Urgent care for acute illness that only last a few days like colds, flu, and stomach viruses
- Ongoing care for chronic health conditions that last for an extended period of time like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol
- Traditional primary care services
- Medication management
What to Expect During a Telehealth Video Appointment
On the day of your virtual visit, your provider’s office will contact you by phone to complete your “check-in.” When you begin your telehealth appointment, treat it the same as you would an in-person conversation with your healthcare provider. Please be sure to let them know if you have any issues hearing or seeing them at any time during the appointment. At the end, your provider will give you recommendations for any necessary treatments or medications and provide you further instructions by email or through our secure patient portal, MyCovenantHealth.
If any testing is required, your provider will help you get scheduled at a nearby laboratory, clinic, or diagnostic center.
The same privacy laws apply to telehealth video visits as in-person medical services.
How To Schedule a Telehealth Video Appointment
You can schedule a virtual appointment by calling your healthcare provider’s office or by requesting a visit through our secure patient portal, MyCovenantHealth. Your provider will review your current condition to determine if a telehealth appointment is right for you.
What You Will Need For Your Virtual Appointment
- A computer or cellphone with a camera and microphone
- Connection to Wi-Fi or cellular data
- Located in Tennessee for services
Although every effort will be made to protect your privacy, please be aware that public networks are not secure, and we cannot guarantee a secure connection for a virtual visit.
If you use an Apple device, please ensure your device is operating on the latest iOS (operating system).
Connecting to Your Virtual Visit Through the Amwell Touchpoint App
These instructions will help you connect to your virtual visit with Covenant Medical Group through the Amwell (AW) Touchpoint App. Using the AW Touchpoint app is not required to access your virtual visit.
- Go to the App Store on your Apple device or Google Play on your Android device. Search for AW Touchpoint and download the app.
App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aw-touchpoint/id1221987053?mt=8
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.avizia.blackwell.provider&hl=en_SG - Once the AW Touchpoint app has been downloaded, you can leave the AW Touchpoint app to go back to your invitation to the virtual visit.
- You will receive a link with an email or text message invitation at or around the time of your visit. If you have already received an invite from your provider, retrieve the invitation and tap “Join with the app.” A pop-up will appear on the screen. Tap Open.
- Enter your name. Tap Patient and then tap Connect.
- You will be placed in the video call. When you are done with your virtual visit, tap the red End Call icon on the right.
Here are the instructions in a PDF if you would like to save them.
Preparing For Your Virtual Appointment
- Choose a well-lit spot. Your provider will need to see your face clearly. If you are near a window, make sure the light is not coming in from behind you. Adjust your device so it’s at eye level and your face is in the center of the camera.
- Make sure you have privacy. You want to be able to discuss your healthcare issue in private and not be overheard.
- Be patient while waiting for your provider to appear for your visit. Just like a regular in-person office visit, providers are treating other patients and want to give them the adequate time they need to have questions answered and receive the care they require. This sometimes causes them to run behind schedule.
- Notify your provider if you need interpreter services. We can provide free interpretation services for patients who need it. Tell your healthcare provider ahead of your scheduled telehealth appointment so proper services can be set up for you.
- Be prepared with your health information. Your healthcare provider might ask you questions related to your health history, including allergies, medications, hospitalizations, surgeries, and test results.
You will be given instructions in advance of your appointment on how to log into the telehealth system.
How You Will Be Charged For Your Telehealth Video Appointment
Most healthcare insurances cover telehealth appointments. We encourage you to contact your insurance company to verify that telehealth services are covered. Most of the time, it doesn’t cost more than a face-to-face visit. Plus, you don’t have to worry about travel expenses lost, child care expenses, or time away from work.
We will send charges for your video doctor’s appointment to your healthcare insurance company or directly to you if you’re a self-pay patient.