There are paid services that will help you find an online doctor like healthtap. com, livehealthonline. com, and virtualdoctors. org.
The California Telemedicine & eHealth Center offers an extensive telemedicine glossary you may find helpful. [1] X Research source
Some newer insurance policies will actually incentivize or require telemedicine diagnosis for minor conditions as a way of saving money. [2] X Research source Again, make sure to discuss these options thoroughly with your provider.
The website www. certificationmatters. org is an easy to use, independent resource for checking a doctor’s credentials. Just type in basic information like the doctor’s name and the address of their practice. Alternatively, see if the website for the online doctor lists a phone number. If so, call and ask if they can fax or email you a copy of their credentials.
Keep in mind that the laws are applied based on the state you live in. In other words, you can’t skirt your state laws by speaking with an online doctor in a different state.
Web resources like WebMD, ZocDocs, Yelp, Google Reviews and Angie’s List offer patient-written reviews. Because you yourself are a patient and lack expert medical knowledge, it’s a good idea to learn what others have experienced in similar situations. [4] X Trustworthy Source Consumer Reports Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source
Sources like Healthgrades, BetterDoctor and RateMDs will offer verified reviews as well as more specific information you can’t find in patient reviews such as pricing information and statistics on medical outcomes. [5] X Research source There are some criticisms of review sites to be aware of. Some are paid by medical organizations or specific doctors that could compromise their objectivity. Some are compromised by fake reviews written by the doctors themselves. [6] X Research source Do your research on the site as well as the doctor. Reviews are legally required to disclose business relationships with the organizations they review so look for the words “Sponsored by. ”
Consider asking something like “How do you diagnose patients over the internet?”
Therapeutic solutions that are based solely on nutritional choice or herbal remedies are likely not approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating serious medical conditions. [8] X Research source You don’t necessarily have to dismiss alternative medicine options out of hand. Some do have proven medical value or, at least, very little risk. Independent research is the key. [9] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
