Telemedicine has positively impacted the world when it comes to health care. In a state with over 29 million people, access to quality medical care is a challenge apart from the existing financial obstacle. That is why federal and state legislatures are striving to include, improve, and promote telemedicine platforms, being established parts of the health care system.
Under the Texas Occupations Code, a telemedicine medical service is defined as a health care service like assessment, diagnosis, consultation, and treatment rendered by a state-licensed physician or any health care worker under the direct supervision of the former to a remote or physically distant patient by utilizing information and communication technology such as compressed digital interactive video, audio, or data transmission and computer imaging or still-image capture. The physician and the supervised health care worker can only render services within the scope of their license.
Texas is one of the states that issue special licenses to health care professionals to practice telemedicine within the state or at least render telemedicine services to Texans even when they are not physically located within the state.
A face-to-face consultation is no longer required days after a telemedicine visit between a physician and a new patient, and virtual visits, in turn, can already establish a practitioner-patient relationship except in special circumstances where an in-person examination is a must. There isn’t any fast and hard rule for these circumstances, and practitioners are given discretion in identifying them. Two legal requirements, however, limit their decision-making. These are the standard of care and the establishment of a practitioner-patient relationship.
The same standard of care must be upheld by all practitioners when delivering telemedicine services as they would in an in-office or in-person consultation. The Texas Supreme Court stated that any action taken by the physician passes the required standard of care if other reasonable and prudent medical practitioners would have done the same thing given similar circumstances. This includes the corresponding obligation to maintain the patient’s medical record. These are not only obligations of the providers but also considered patient’s rights.
Texas State Telemedicine Laws and Policies
Informed Consent
Informed consent must first be obtained from the patient, the patient’s guardian or caregiver, or any other person legally overseeing the patient’s medical treatment before any telemedicine service is provided.
Apart from obtaining the patient’s informed consent, the physician must also communicate their privacy practices and provide the procedure for filing complaints with the Texas Medical Board either on his website, app, the bill for services, e-mail, or any other acceptable means. The patient must likewise give his or her acknowledgment through electronic or written means.
If the patient gives consent, the telemedicine provider may notify the former’s primary care physician for record purposes and to make the latter aware of the recent medical condition and treatment the patient has undergone.
When the patient is a child and the telemedicine service was rendered while said child was in school, a notification must likewise be given to the child’s primary care physician or parent or legal guardian in the absence of the former regarding all information about the virtual consultation. A list of primary care physicians in the state will also be given to the child’s parent or legal guardian, together with the required notification.
Confidentiality
Any medical information shared by the patient or discovered by the provider during the entire telemedicine service course shall be subject to the same standard of confidentiality as in-person consultations provided by federal and state laws. Information such as the patient’s identity, medical condition, course of treatment, and other health-related data are considered as privileged communications and shall not be disclosed to third parties subject to certain exceptions such as when:
- Both the physician and patient or any other person acting on behalf of the latter has given a written consent to divulge such information. The written consent is revocable, but the revocation does not affect the information shared before it.
- Medical records are used for historical research purposes as long as said medical records are already 75 years old.
- The court requests medical information through a subpoena in a case, whether civil, criminal, administrative, collection, or malpractice proceedings, where the patient is one of the parties
- Other governmental or law enforcement agencies require such information as authorized by law
- Another physician is involved as long as the original physician in charge needs his or her services
The privilege not only covers the patient and the physician but also with all other persons to whom such pieces of information were communicated.
Mental Health Services
The State of Texas recognizes the need to make mental health services more accessible to residents, especially those who reside in far-flung areas. With that in mind, lawmakers have deemed it proper to devise a separate section allowing for this kind of telemedicine service. The provider-patient relationship can also be established virtually or through other telecommunication means.
All practitioners who render mental health services must be licensed or at least certified to do so in Texas. Mental health services can also be provided by Mental Health Professional-Community Services (QMHP-CS), which can be any of the following:
- Registered Nurse
- Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts (LPHA)
- A holder of a bachelor’s degree in psychology, nursing, counseling, special education, early childhood education or intervention, physician assistant, social work, rehabilitation, and other similar fields
Despite the allowance of telemental health services, substance use disorders (SUD) treatments are still not administered via telemedicine.
E-prescription
For a physician to validly issue an electronic prescription in the state of Texas, the following elements must be present:
- A practitioner-patient relationship must be established following existing rules set forth by the Medical Board.
- A valid call coverage agreement, whether oral or written, wherein the telemedicine physician undertakes to inform the existing primary physician of the patient to whom he or she is rendering the telemedicine service.
- The use of an appropriate technology which could be a real-time audio-visual interaction, asynchronous store-and-forward technology, or any other forms of audio-visual technology. There must also be a guide on the proper follow-up care.
As stated in the Texas Health and Safety Code, prescriptions for controlled substances must be issued electronically at the beginning of this year by physicians with valid DEA registration numbers. This rule, however, does not apply when concerned agencies have granted a waiver in favor of the prescriber or when:
- a veterinarian issues the prescription
- the prescribed controlled drug is still undergoing research
- the physician and the dispenser are located in the same area or are licensed under the same jurisdiction
- the pharmacy dispensing the medication is located outside Texas
- prescribing online would cause delays on the part of the patient and negatively affect the patient’s course of treatment and condition
- the prescription is non-patient-specific subject to limitations and guideline further provided by state law
- there are data required by the US Food and Drug Administration to be included in the prescription that cannot be supplied through electronic means
- there are technical difficulties and system or electronic failures at the time of prescribing
Physicians may apply before the Texas Medical Board for a waiver from electronically prescribing controlled substances online by stating circumstances that would warrant such waivers due to economic hardships, technological limitations, or other special situations. The approved waiver is valid for only one year and renewable 30 days before its expiration.
The Legislature has set limitations on prescriptions when it comes to treating chronic pain through telemedicine. This is because medication for chronic pain has led to overdose deaths and would require an in-person consultation for proper guidance. Under Texas law, chronic pain has been defined as continuous or intermittent pain experienced by the patient for at least 91 days counting from the day the patient was prescribed opioids. On the other hand, acute pain has been defined to be limited to less than 30 days. Unless there are laws or exceptional circumstances, treating chronic pain with scheduled drugs through telemedicine is prohibited.
On the other hand, any prescription of abortifacient availed of through telemedicine means can never be a valid prescription.
Telepharmacy
Texas allows remote pharmacies or telepharmacies in underserved far-flung rural areas with no actual pharmacy. They have what they call an automated pharmacy system that dispenses prescription drugs while keeping records of all their transactions.
Unlike in other states, licensed remote pharmacies can operate in jails and state-operated healthcare facilities as long as an employed licensed healthcare professional administers any dispensed drugs in the said sites.
Teledentistry
The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners disallows the practice of teledentistry within the state. Aside from the lack of state laws allowing it, compliance with the rule on tactile or visual examination of the oral cavity and documenting the findings would be impossible through teledentistry.
Who can practice telemedicine in Texas?
The Texas Medical Board is the body the governs and regulates all medical professionals’ licensing. It issues laws, rules, limitations, and guidelines regarding who, how, where, and when practitioners can provide health care services to Texas residents.
Generally, when a telemedicine service is rendered to a patient, it is as if the physician goes to their location. It is different from in-office visits wherein patients travel to the doctor’s location. Hence, it is only right that telemedicine health care physicians and practitioners must be a holder of a full Texas medical license to legally treat an individual within the state of Texas at the time of delivery of telemedicine service.
It must be noted that even though the individual to be treated is a Texan but is outside the state at the time he or she avails of telemedicine services, a Texas-licensed physician cannot render such service and is subject to the license requirements of the state where the patient is located.
The Board also issues a limited Out-of-State Telemedicine License to individuals who are:
- At least 21 years old
- Holders of an active license issued by the medical board of their respective state and that the same is recognized in the state of Texas
- Passers of the Texas Medical Jurisprudence Examination
- Approved applicants to the Board for such license to practice medicine across state lines
- Not subjected to disciplinary action or investigation in the past or present by other states
Although the state allows out-of-state physicians to render medical consultations to Texas residents even without a license, they may only do so occasionally and not regularly. Their practice of medicine within the state is only limited to the following:
- Interpretation and reporting of diagnostic testing results to a fully-licensed Texas physician
- Follow-up patients to whom he or she have rendered the majority of the health care and treatment in another state
- Laws and other statutes in the state of Texas
- The physician is not authorized to practice medicine in Texas physically
As of January 2021, there are 495 out-of-state licensees for telemedicine, while there are no in-state telemedicine licensees in Texas.
No license is required when a physician renders aid in an emergency as long as the said physician did not charge for such service. The same is also true when a Texan is the one who requested a home health or hospice service from a state-licensed agency to be conducted by a physician licensed under a different state as long as that other state has a contiguous border with Texas.
Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
The compact legislation has already been introduced in Texas and is currently in the senate committee undergoing hearing. It has recently been referred to the Health and Human Services Department for review. If the bill is passed, Texas-licensed physicians would be allowed to practice medicine in multiple states subject to existing laws and regulations.
State Reimbursement Policy
The general rule is that telemedicine services must be covered and reimbursed in the same way and extent as those rendered in person. An in-person care service is not a requirement before a telemedicine service can be reimbursed. The latter is a stand-alone reimbursable service.
The health plan provider shall not require physicians to use a specific telemedicine platform reimbursed for their services. The physician chooses the platform that can address the medical needs of the patient.
No managed care organizations (MCO) can deny, reduce, or limit reimbursement for any services listed as covered just because the mode of delivery of such service is telemedicine as long as the said visit is clinically appropriate and cost-effective.
What services are reimbursed in the state of Texas?
By TX Medicaid:
- Synchronous audio-visual interaction
- Store-and-Forward
- Home Telemonitoring
X E-consults through e-mail, phone, or fax
Texas Medicaid provides reimbursement for live video or synchronous audio-visual interaction and store-and-forward telemedicine services in specified circumstances. In the home telemonitoring case, it is only reimbursable when the provider has been approved to render this type of service and under several conditions only.
If the patient availed the services of two or more different telemedicine providers under different specialties, all services could still be reimbursed under Medicaid.
Synchronous Audio-visual Interaction
For live video telemedicine, the following services are reimbursable:
- Consultations
- Data transmission
- Office or other outpatient visits
- Pharmacologic management
- Psychiatric diagnostic interviews
- Psychotherapy
There are select outpatient mental health services that Medicaid reimburses. Except in mental health emergencies, there is no requirement for a patient site presenter in mental telemedicine services.
The following originating or patient sites are eligible for reimbursement under Medicaid:
- Established medical site
- Public mental health facility
- State-supported living centers
When the originating site is the patient or client’s home, the facility fee is not reimbursed.
Store-and-Forward
Both asynchronous SAF paired with synchronous audio-only interaction are reimbursed under this category by TX Medicaid if the provider at the distant site uses either of these:
- Diagnostic images
- Clinically relevant photographs or video images
- Relevant medical records of the patient
- Laboratory results
- Medication history
Home Telemonitoring
Also, called remote patient monitoring, home telemonitoring is defined in Texas as a telemedicine service that transmits patient information to the provider based on a schedule.
The provider is usually a licensed home or community support services agency, hospital, or other home health agencies. The covered patients are those who have diabetes, hypertension, and other medical conditions considered by the HHSC to require such services as cancer, heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and mental illness who has documented experiences at least two of the following:
- Access challenges
- Falls within the last six months
- Frequent emergency room trips
- Hospitalizations more than once in the past year
- Lack of support systems
- Lone living setup
- Poor medication adherence
If the patient is no older than 20 years of age, they have likewise covered for home telemonitoring services if:
- They have been diagnosed with an end-stage solid organ disease.
- They have undergone an organ transplant.
- They require mechanical ventilation.
Prior authorization must be requested and is only valid up to 180 days at a time. Renewals must be made before the 180-day expiration to ensure coverage. The initial setup of equipment in the originating site and the monthly maintenance thereof are considered covered benefits and hence reimbursable.
The only time that this type of telemedicine service can be denied reimbursement is when it is used more than once a week, within the postoperative period of a prior procedure, or if done by the same provider within seven days of an evaluation.
Supporting documents and records showing the needfulness of home telemonitoring must be included in the patient’s record. The provider must see that such information is complete and readily available for review by appropriate agencies. If upon inspection and no record supporting its necessity is found, all benefits given will be recovered from the provider.
By Private Payer or other health care service plan providers:
- Synchronous audio-visual interaction
- Store-and-Forward
- Home Telemonitoring
X E-consults through e-mail, phone, or fax
Commercial insurance plans are prohibited from imposing limitations, reductions, or outright denying coverage for telemedicine services based on the platform chosen by the provider, subject to certain exceptions. The same rules technically govern them like that in TX Medicaid.
All health plan providers must publish the corresponding policies and guidelines they observe on their website regarding telemedicine services reimbursement. The law sets and provides are only minimum requirements for health care service plan providers to follow. Parties involved can opt to have additional agreements stated on their contract.
There will be instances wherein the telemedicine service would be considered bundled with an in-person appointment if the services rendered in both setups are interrelated. The physician should check the patient’s health plan first before providing any telemedicine service if said service would be covered or if he or she would be able to bill the patient without prior notification directly. This is what usually happens in fee-for-service telemedicine.
Who can avail of these reimbursements?
For a telemedicine service to be reimbursed, it should be initiated or provided by any of the following health care professionals:
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
- Certified Nurse Midwife
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Clinical Social Worker
- Dietician
- Federally Qualified Health Center
- Marriage and family therapist
- Nurse Practitioner
- Nutritionists
- Occupational therapist
- Physician
- Physician Assistant
- Professional Counselors
- Psychological Associate Psychologist
- Speech-language Pathologist
All of these providers, except those in the broader category of physicians, must be supervised by the latter and given delegated authority to practice telemedicine and likewise reimbursed for their services.
In case the patient is a child, the physician need not be the primary care provider to qualify for reimbursement, but the following circumstances must be present:
- The physician must be an authorized health care provider duly recognized by Medicaid.
- The child patient received the telemedicine service while in school.
- The education level of the child is either primary or secondary.
- The parent or legal guardian’s consent was obtained before rendering telemedicine services.
Public Health Emergency (PHE)
The Commissioner of Insurance in Texas and other government agencies has deemed it necessary to adopt and implement emergency rules covering telemedicine and telehealth services during this time of a pandemic. The state has viewed it as a vital tool in preventing the spread of the virus and that removing limits to the reimbursement for the use of this type of health care service would make it more accessible to many.
- Telephone-only consults are now allowed to establish a physician-patient relationship and be used for all kinds of health care services. Aside from the regular diagnosis and treatment, including prescribing, telemedicine providers can now order tests for all kinds of conditions.
- The deadline for renewal of licenses and permits and completion of mandatory continuing education has been extended given the current situation.
- Good faith non-compliance with HIPAA during the emergency declaration by using other platforms such as Skype or FaceTime shall not be penalized.
- A patient’s home is currently considered a covered originating site.
10 Top-rated Online Doctors and Telemedicine Providers in Texas
Telemedicine is a booming health care industry, and many providers have joined the platform nationwide. Although telemedicine providers deliver services throughout the country, there are still those that chose to focus on select states like Texas. Through these sites, you can be sure to find a fully licensed physician in Texas who can cater to your medical needs. Scroll through the list below to find not just any online doctor in the state but the best Texas telemedicine doctors who can provide you with quality health care.
PM Pediatrics
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board Certified Pediatricians with Subspecialty Training, Pediatric Physician Assistant, Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
- Insurance
Users can create a single account for all children and members of the family. The creator simply has to add them to have everyone’s medical records in one place. They provide care for babies, children, and young adults not more than 26 years old. Since they are the actual patient for the telemedicine visit, they must be present during the scheduled televisit.
Some of the common illnesses of children they treat at PM Pediatrics are as follows:
- Allergies
- Cold
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Flu
- Pink Eye
- Respiratory Infections
- Skin Rashes
- Sprains
- Stomachache
If they assess that your child may need an in-person consultation during the visit, the assigned physician or medical staff will help you find the appropriate level of care for your child’s medical condition.
They issue e-prescriptions sent directly to your chosen pharmacy, where you can pick the medication up. Upon request, you will get a doctor’s note for work or school, which they will send to your account and is accessible by logging in to their website or through their app.
For easier navigation of their services, you can download their app on Google Play or App Store.
Locations/Cities Served:
- McKinney
- The Colony
- Dallas
- Flower Mound
- Richardson
- Round Rock
Village Physicians
- Prescription
- Fully encrypted data transmission and secure network connections
- Board Certified Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, Hospice, and Palliative Medicine
- Insurance
They specialize in geriatric consultation and accommodate family meetings for senior patients as well. If unsure about setting an appointment with a geriatric specialist, you can get yourself or your loved one a screen test for geriatric syndromes. If it is something prevalent in your family, Village Physicians can present you with prevention strategies.
You should look out for these common geriatric syndromes:
- Constipation
- Depression
- Dementia
- Frailty
- Gait difficulties
- Incontinence
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
It is a fact that the more you age, the more medicines are prescribed to you for the illnesses you may have been diagnosed with. It gets difficult to manage and keep track of them sometimes, especially if you have no one to guide you in taking them properly. Village Physicians also deals with polypharmacy, drug education, and managing side effects.
Although they specialize in treating older adults aging more than 65, they also cater to any individual above 18, but they do not give medical advice for prenatal care. They offer two types of appointments: a quick 15-minute virtual visit for acute illnesses and a 30-minute one, including patient education.
Location/City Served: Houston
Medical City Healthcare
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board-Certified Physicians, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant
- Insurance
If you are above 18, you can open an account with Medical City Virtual Care. All members can add dependent adults and any child more than two years of age in their account. A parent must be the one to complete the virtual visit for a minor child.
They have an urgent care clinic and emergency room, so you can be sure that they have many doctors who specialize in different fields that can address almost all medical concerns. Some of the conditions they treat include the following:
- Canker sore
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Head lice
- Impetigo
- Male pattern baldness
- Minor burns
- Skin and nail problems
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Swimmer’s Ear
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
- Vaginal Yeast Infection
They have age restrictions when it comes to treating certain illnesses. If they assess that the condition you sought help for cannot be treated virtually, they will provide you with other viable options. They will also not charge you for the telemedicine appointment.
They provide medication refills for epinephrine autoinjectors, erectile dysfunction, inhalers, and birth control. If you intend to travel, they can prescribe you medications for motion sickness and malaria prevention.
Location/City Served: Dallas-Fort Worth area
Texas Children’s Anywhere Care
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board Certified Doctors and Advanced Practice Providers
- Insurance
This virtual clinic may only be available to Texas Children’s Health Plan members who can get the most of the benefits from their health plan. If you are above 18 years old, you should open your account on their website to be assigned your ID. Their parents can add minors to their existing accounts to be scheduled an appointment. You are not randomly assigned to a provider as you are given the option to choose the health care provider you want to consult with.
They treat routine and non-emergency medical conditions such as:
- Allergic Reactions
- Diarrhea
- Ear Pain
- Fever in children who are more than two months old
- Pink Eye
- Rashes
- Skin Infections
- Sore Throat
- Vomiting
However, they do not cater to long-term and chronic conditions. They likewise do not treat conditions that may require an X-ray or an in-person appointment, especially infants less than 30 days old. They do send prescriptions electronically to your chosen pharmacy and issue doctor’s notes sent as an attachment to your account’s inbox.
Their app is downloadable in both Google Play and App Store.
Location/City Served: Bellaire
Memorial Hermann
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board Certified Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
- Insurance
They present two options on how to go about their telemedicine service. You can opt for the eVisit Questionnaire or the eVisit Video, whichever you think could better address your medical concern. Their virtual care can be access through an EverydayWell app downloadable at the App Store or Google Play.
They provide a health summary for all medical transactions you have undergone with Memorial Hermann, and you can request a full, detailed, and official copy thereof from their customer support.
They offer treatment for any of the following minor illnesses:
- Allergies
- Cold
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Minor Burn
- Pink Eye
- Reflux
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
They issue prescriptions, and medication refills electronically to your chosen pharmacy. You can see a history of the medications you have taken prescribed by Memorial Hermann in the EverydayWell app.
They also have a nurse hotline that you can call whenever you need assistance for minor medical concerns. The Visitor Services section can help loved ones help treat a patient by providing ways and necessary information on supporting and caring for them. They likewise provide options for financial assistance.
Locations/Cities Served:
- Houston
- Bellaire
- Pasadena
- South Houston
- Pearland
- Humble
- The Woodlands
- Conroe
- Missouri City
- Atascocita
- Webster
- Friendswood
- Kingwood
- Sugarland
- Angleton
- Lake Jackson
- Katy
- Spring
- League City
- Alvin
- Cypress
- Rosenbergs
- Nederland
GuruMD
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board Certified Physician, Nurse Practitioner, Physician’s Assistant
- Insurance
Starting from the age of 1, doctors at GuruMD can begin seeing, diagnosing, and treating the patient. Their licensed physicians provide urgent care treatment for any of these ailments:
- Anxiety
- Bronchitis
- Dehydration
- Earache
- Itchy Eyes
- Low Testosterone
- Migraines
- Erectile dysfunction
- Gout
- Hangovers
- Hives
- Sinus Infections
All lab requests and imaging orders such as X-rays, Ultrasounds, MRIs, and CT Scans that the doctor will need to properly treat you will be sent electronically to any facility you choose to have them done. The results will then be sent to them. All you have to do is wait for their readings and further advice. The same is true with prescribed medications. You can choose your local pharmacy where you can just pick up the medications with no hassle. Within the right and legal circumstances, they will prescribe scheduled drugs and narcotics if medically necessary.
If you want a detailed copy of your medical record for whatever purpose you may need them, they will provide you with one for a corresponding fee.
To set a virtual visit, download the GuruMD app available on both App Store and Google Play.
Location/City Served: Austin
My Virtual Physician
- Prescription
- Secure encryption and transmission
- Licensed Doctors
- Insurance
They provide health care to children, men, and women. My Virtual Physician currently has two physicians licensed in the state of Texas. They specialize in Pediatrics and Endocrinology but can also cater to primary care. The pediatrician can also communicate with patients and parents who can better express themselves in Spanish or Telugu. From newborns to young adults, they can cover the physical, mental, and behavioral aspects of their development and provide guidance. They also provide advice when it comes to the nutritional intake of your child.
For pediatric care, they treat the following common infections and injuries:
- Acne
- Bladder Infections
- Cough
- Cold
- Injuries
- Pink Eye
- Seasonal Allergies
- Skin Rashes
They also have a Second Opinion Clinic to discuss your current diagnosis and treatment course with their specialists, who will research them and re-assess the findings. This way, you’ll know all the available treatment options before proceeding with any major treatment plans.
If you are not yet sure if your condition requires seeing a doctor or simply want to learn more about your medical condition, you can visit the Patient Education section on their website to read or watch educational videos about illnesses affecting specific genders ages.
Location/City Served: Nevada
Texas Telemedicine Doctor
- Prescription
- Family Medicine Certified Doctor and Pharmacist
X Insurance
The Texas Telemedicine Doctor treats patients who are at least four years old. If you need further lab or imaging tests, they can issue orders for those they have already seen through televisit.
Below is a non-exclusive list of the common conditions treated by the Texas Telemedicine Doctor:
- Acne
- Anxiety
- Asthma
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Back Pain
- Bipolar Disorder
- Chlamydia
- Crohn’s Disease
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Epilepsy
- Helicobacter Pylori
- MRSA
- Psoriasis
You will also see the expected prescription length, follow-up, and lab costs of the conditions mentioned above when you choose to undergo treatment with them. Since the doctor is also a licensed pharmacist, you can be sure that all prescribed medications are deemed to be the most cost-effective based on his education and experience.
The primary goal of Texas Telemedicine Doctor is to provide affordable options for their patients. Their service does not end upon the issuance of a prescription. They make sure that their patients have the financial capacity to purchase the prescribed medicines. They can connect you with patient assistance programs where they offer help to patients to obtain expensive medications. The doctor doesn’t prescribe controlled substances for the patients.
Locations/Cities Served: based in Austin, serving all of TX
Baylor Scott and White Health
- Prescription
- 128-bit Secure Socket Layer Encryption Techniques
- Board Certified Physicians
- Insurance
To start the process of availing virtual care, create an account with MyBSWHealth first on their website or through the app on Google Play and App Store. The patient portal allows you to schedule appointments, view test results, access some medical records, and track your family’s health progress.
You have the option to choose the doctor with whom you will have your consultations. It can either be a new doctor, your previous doctor, or any doctor on call.
Below is a list of medical issues the doctors at BSW Health can address:
- Acid Reflux
- Allergies
- Lower Back Pain
- Men’s Health
- Minor Eye Conditions
- Minor Headache
- Respiratory Infection
- Stomach Conditions
- Strains
- Tobacco Cessation
- Women’s Health
All these… and many more. You can also consult with their doctors if you are planning to travel for possible and necessary medications.
If you need to speak to a medical authority, Baylor Scott and White Health advisers will help you get the right doctor for your medical condition. They can also assist you in joining events and support groups that understand your medical journey.
Location/City Served: Dallas
Houston Methodist
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board Certified Physicians
- Insurance
The Houston Methodist Virtual Urgent Care caters to the medical needs of the entire family. You get to choose from a list of Texas licensed doctors with their respective specialties posted on the site. They offer on-demand video visits for common illnesses and conditions like:
- Allergies
- Back and Neck Strain
- Cold Sores
- Fevers
- Headaches
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Red Eyes
- Styes
- Sunburns
- Upper Respiratory Infections
- Urinary Tract Infections in Women
They have TytoCare technology that allows you to perform physical exams such as heart rate, temperature, ear examination, breathing assessment, throat check, and skin conditions within the comforts of your home. This examination tool allows the physician to obtain additional needed information about your current physical health status. It must be noted that this device does not replace an actual physical examination conducted by a professional health worker.
They have a Second Opinion feature wherein a specialist reviews your current medical condition and either confirms them or presents better treatment plan alternatives. After all, dealing with serious medical conditions shall be deeply studied, and all options must be laid down before finally deciding on which step to take.
You can download the care app in the App Store or Google Play or easily log in on their website, whichever you prefer.
Locations/Cities Served:
- Baytown
- Houston
- Sugar Land
- The Woodlands
- Cypress
Telemedicine Resources in Texas
The web is full of a lot of information. Even a single search can yield overwhelming results. Telling what’s right from false information can be confusing at times, too!
If you want to know about telemedicine in Texas or if you are looking for a specific piece of information, you can visit the following credible sources for your reference:
- American Telemedicine Association: This is the only online resource that focuses solely on telehealth. All policies, events, news, webinars, podcasts, and other learning resources related to telemedicine can be accessed through this site.
- Texas-Louisiana Telehealth Resource Center (TexLA): If you want first-hand updates on the changes in the field of telemedicine and telehealth in the state of Texas, check out this resource.
- Texas Medical Association: Users can read through articles and news on health care, policies, laws, education, and payments on all kinds of health care services, including telemedicine.
- Texas Public Law: This site provides up-to-date amendments on all laws in the state of Texas. It’s a great tool for making sure that you know the currently enforced laws in the state. The state legislature issues several laws regarding telemedicine. You can type in any keyword you are looking for, and it will display all laws relevant to it.
- Texas Department State of Health Services: You can find anything related to public health on this government’s website. This site covers data and reports about health, wellness, infectious disease control, laboratories, and other similar topics. If you want to reach various local departments or units, they also have an administrative contact information section to see a list of phone numbers and contact persons.
