How to prepare for your first telehealth visit

Telehealth lets you meet with a therapist or prescriber from home, work, or anywhere private in Maryland. A few minutes of preparation makes the visit smoother.

Before the day of your visit

Check your device. For video, use a phone, tablet, or computer with a camera. For an audio visit, any phone works.
Test your connection. Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal both work. If your internet is unreliable, ask our office whether an audio visit is appropriate for you.
Have your insurance card ready. Our office verifies your coverage and explains any costs before you schedule.
Complete your intake forms if our office sent them.

Choosing your spot

Pick a private place where you can talk freely without being overheard. A parked car, a bedroom, or a quiet office all work.
Make sure you’ll be physically in Maryland during the visit. That’s required for every appointment.
Sit facing a light source, such as a window or lamp, so your clinician can see you.
Silence other notifications and keep headphones nearby if others are home.

During the visit

Join a few minutes early using the link you were given.
At the start, your clinician will confirm your location and a phone number to reach you.
If video drops, rejoin with the same link. If that doesn’t work, your clinician will call the number you confirmed and may finish by phone when appropriate.

Your first appointment is an intake

Your first visit is an intake, about 60 minutes. Your clinician learns about your history, what’s going on now, and what you’d like to change. For children and teens, a parent or guardian takes part. The intake is billed like other visits, and our office checks your coverage before you schedule.

Questions?

Call our office at (443) 824-4842, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or send us a message. You can also read more about how visits work.

This article is general information, not medical advice. For questions about your own care, talk with your clinician. In a crisis, call or text 988, or call 911 in an emergency.

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