Frequently Asked Telehealth Questions for Families
The Center for Telehealth provides answers for frequently asked questions from patients and families about telehealth and services available.
Frequently Asked Questions
A telehealth appointment, or video visit, allows you to see your care team over video on a smart phone, tablet or computer using a free, secure and private software application, from the comfort of your home or other private location.
Telehealth at Cincinnati Children’s is designed to improve your family’s access to pediatric specialty care through the use of technology. This can allow your child to receive timely treatment closer to home. It may reduce travel time or the need to travel at all.
A video visit is like a regular clinic visit, but instead of going in person, you talk to your doctor or other providers from home or any other private location using video. You can ask questions just as you normally would during a visit. The provider will ask you how you are feeling, discuss treatment options, and if necessary, adjust medications, or send in a prescription to your pharmacy.
Your provider may determine that an in-person visit is best to treat your child. If that happens, an in-person visit will be scheduled.
No, you do not need a MyChart account to have a video visit. You will receive an email with instructions before your scheduled visit. We encourage you to sign up for a MyChart account to view special instructions for your appointment, review lab results, receive your after-visit summary, future appointments and connect with your care team.
Cincinnati Children's accepts all major insurance plans. The cost for a video visit is about the same as an in-person visit. Co-payment, co-insurance and/or deductible amounts apply to video visits. You may be billed for those after Cincinnati Children’s bills your insurance.
Video visits are covered by Ohio Medicaid and their plans (CareSource, etc.). Most insurance plans cover video visits. A small number of employers may not cover video visits. If you have any questions about your coverage you should check your summary plan description. You can also contact your plan to find out if your video visit will be covered.
Here are some questions you may want to ask your insurance carrier when checking on your benefits:
- Is the specific service that I want (for example, a video visit with the Diabetes Center to manage my child’s diabetes, or a video visit with a psychologist to manage my child’s depression) covered by my benefit plan?
- Are there any restrictions to my telehealth coverage?
- Is there a limit on the number of telehealth visits I can have?
- Are there any out-of-pocket expenses for video visits for me?
- What is my copay for a video visit? Is it the same as my copay for in-person visit?
All you need for a video visit is access to Wi-Fi and a smart device, such as a tablet or smart phone, or laptop that has a built-in camera and speakers. You will get an email the day before your visit with instructions and a link to use for the video visit. Please review the instructions before your visit. You may need to download a free app to your device if you will be using a smartphone or tablet.
The video and voice data are encrypted, which means the patient’s privacy is protected and cannot be accessed by anyone not participating in the visit. Video visits cannot be recorded by Cincinnati Children’s staff and adhere to all the privacy regulations of an in-person visit.
Ask your care provider if a video visit would be an option for your child. Not all services or visits are appropriate for a video visit.
At the time you schedule an appointment you can decline a video visit if you would prefer to be seen in person. If you do not want to participate in a video visit, please discuss this with your providers.
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