More doctor’s offices are offering telemedicine services. (You might also see this called telehealth or virtual care.) This is a way to see a doctor online, whether it's on your computer, tablet or smartphone.
You might assume it’s only general medical doctors that offer telemedicine services. But it’s expanded to several other types of providers, too. Some specialize in mental health, skin health and even eye health.
Some people may still like to see doctors in person, but telemedicine is a good alternative, too. Virtual visits can save you time and gas money. They can also make it easier to get a prescription renewed.
So, what are some types of telemedicine specialists can you see virtually? Find out below.
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4 types of providers you can see on a telemedicine call
Depending on your health plan, you may be able to book virtual appointments with the following types of providers or specialists:
1. General medicine. These providers specialize in:
- Family medicine
- General internal medicine
- General pediatrics (for kids).
They could be your primary care physician (PCP) or another capable provider that’s available to take a telehealth call. Here are a few examples:
- Medical Doctor (MD) diagnoses and treats a wide range of general health issues. For example, you could see an MD for cold/flu symptoms, a strange rash or if you burn your finger on the stove.
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) focuses on a holistic approach to healthcare, considering your mind, body and spirit. You can see them for the same types of things as an MD.
- NP (Nurse Practitioner) provides primary and specialty healthcare services, including diagnosing and treating illnesses. They can be your PCP and can help with all the same things as an MD or DO.
- Physician Assistant (PA) examines, diagnoses and treats patients under the supervision of a physician. Although they may be working with an MD or DO, they can be your PCP and treat the same minor medical issues virtually.
2. Mental health professionals. They are the type of provider you might see if you’re not feeling your best, mentally. They may also be able to renew an anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medication. Some practice psychotherapy (aka talk therapy), a type of treatment that aims to help you “identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts and behaviors.” And depending on what state you live in, some may be able to practice talk therapy and prescribe you medication. Here are some of the mental health professionals you might connect with online:
- Psychologists have either a PhD or PsyD and offer talk therapy services. In some states, they can also prescribe medications.
- Psychiatrists are MDs who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. Some may provide talk therapy, but all of them can prescribe and manage medications.
- Licensed Professional Counselors have a master’s degree in psychology, counseling or a related field. They’re trained to diagnose and provide personal or group counseling.
- Clinical Social Workers have a master’s degree in social work. They can diagnose mental health conditions, as well as provide personal and group counseling. They can also act as a case manager and support you, and they usually do so at a hospital. So, for example, if a loved one were in the hospital, they could act as a health or mental health adviser for you and your family.
- Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors have specific training in substance use disorders. They can diagnose and counsel one person or a group.
- Marital and Family Therapists have a master’s degree and specialize in marital and family therapy. They can do either one-on-one or group sessions.
3. Skin health professionals. If you have any signs of skin cancer or a drug reaction, you can talk to a skin care expert online. They can also virtually treat skin conditions like:
- Eczema (dry, itchy and red skin)
- Psoriasis (raised, red, scaly patches on the skin)
- Adult acne (excess oil production that clogs the skin’s pores)
- Dermatologists are MDs who specialize in “diseases and conditions of the skin.” They can focus on minor skin-related concerns, including rashes, spots on the skin, and help treat adult acne breakouts. They might ask you to hold your favorite device up to the part of your skin you’re concerned with. They may even ask you to take a photo of your skin and message it to them for further review.
4. Eye care professionals. Depending on your plan, you may be able to see an eye care professional using telemedicine (you might also see this called tele-optometry). They can address issues with your eyes, make diagnoses and do remote eye exams. Here are some the types of providers you might see:
- Optometrists earn a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. (That’s not the same as a DO or MD.) They can diagnose, manage and treat eye conditions and diseases. They can examine your eyes and prescribe glasses or contact lenses.
- Ophthalmologists are MDs or DOs who can do everything an OD can, as well as do eye surgery. They can also diagnose and treat more eye conditions than optometrists.
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When is telemedicine a better option than an in-person visit?
For the most part, telemedicine and in-person appointments offer you similar results. But during a virtual exam, your provider can’t do a physical exam of you. (They may not need to, depending on what you’re seeing them for.)
But telemedicine may work particularly well in certain non-emergency situations. These could include:
- Aches/pains
- Arthritis
- Back pain
- Cold/flu
- Fevers
- Infections, like pink eye or strep throat
- Sleep-related issues
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
For mental health issues, telemedicine can also be an option. If you're dealing with a non-crisis, like anxiety or depression, you could see a psychologist for a talk therapy session. In some states, they may be able to prescribe medication or renew a prescription. You could also see a psychiatrist who would be able to do a talk therapy session and/or prescribe you medication. It’s important to note, some types of medications may require an in-person visit.
You could also see a skin doctor for a rash or other skin problem that is not life-threatening.
When is an in-person visit better than telemedicine?
Telemedicine isn’t always appropriate for every situation. For example, it’s not a good idea to use telemedicine if you’re having a medical emergency. According to the Cleveland Clinic, those could include:
- Blood in your urine (pee), stool (poop) or vomiting blood
- Chest pain
- Dislocated bones or joints
- Fever at or higher than 104 degrees Fahrenheit
- Severe diarrhea or vomiting
- Severe swelling in your airway or eyes
- Severe tummy or head pain
- Sudden vision loss
- Trouble breathing
- Unexplained weakness
Even if you’re unsure if what you’re experiencing is serious, it’s a good idea to seek immediate medical advice. That could include dialing your doctor, 911 or going to the emergency room.
Other conditions you’ll want to get emergency medical treatment for include:
- Eye trauma
- Heart attack
- Irregular heart rhythms
- Mental health emergencies, like thoughts of hurting yourself
- Poisoning
- Stroke
How can I get access to telemedicine?
Many health insurance plans already have a telemedicine benefit. But if yours doesn’t, you still have some options. For example, a couple of non-insurance telemedicine memberships are offered through Teladoc Health.
- HealthiestYou telehealth membership: This is a subscription-based service, for $20/month. It provides you with access to general medicine doctors, mental health professionals and skin specialists (dermatologists). Mental Health professionals and skin specialists require a fee per visit. It often includes 24/7 availability and can be a cost-effective way to get the care you need.
- Mental Health Complete Plus: This subscription is $59.99/month and focuses on personalized mental health services. It offers coaching and guidance, online resources and live video sessions. That includes talk therapy and medication management. (You also get access to general medicine and skin specialists with no additional fee per visit.) It can be especially helpful for people who need help with their mental health often.
If you have questions about telehealth memberships, you can also call a licensed insurance agent at 1-844-211-7730 for more information.
For informational purposes only. This information is compiled by UnitedHealthcare, and/or one of its affiliates, and does not diagnose problems or recommend specific treatment. Services and medical technologies referenced herein may not be covered under your plan. Please consult directly with your primary care physician if you need medical advice.
Sources:
American Academy of Ophthalmology. “What is an ophthalmologist vs optometrist?” February 24, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/what-is-ophthalmologist
American Medical Association. “DO vs. MD: How much does the medical school degree type matter?” January 4, 2025. Retrieved from https://www.ama-assn.org/medical-students/preparing-medical-school/do-vs-md-how-much-does-medical-school-degree-type-matter
American Association of Nurse Practitioners. “What’s a Nurse Practitioner (NP)?” Retrieved from https://www.aanp.org/about/all-about-nps/whats-a-nurse-practitioner Accessed February 21, 2025.
American Board of Dermatology. “What is a dermatologist?” Retrieved from https://www.abderm.org/public/what-is-a-dermatologist Accessed February 21, 2025.
Cleveland Clinic. “Medical emergency.” January 7, 2025. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/medical-emergency
Cleveland Clinic. “Ophthalmologist.” August 11, 2024. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22159-ophthalmologist
Cleveland Clinic. “What to expect when you sign on for telemedicine.” July 30, 2024. Retrieved from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/telemedicine-what-to-expect-virtual-doctor-visit
MedlinePlus. “Types of health care providers.” July 23, 2024. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001933.htm
Mental Health America. “Types of Mental Health Professionals.” Retrieved from https://mhanational.org/resources/types-of-mental-health-professionals/ Accessed February 21, 2025.
National Institute of Mental Health. “Psychotherapies.” February 2024. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Optometrists.” August 29, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/optometrists.htm
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Physician Assistants.” August 29, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm
Vision Center. “What is tele-optometry?” February 21, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.visioncenter.org/eye-health/what-is-tele-optometry/
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