What telehealth means
Telehealth is care carried out from a distance. You may speak on video or send health details for a clinician to review. A clinician is a health professional who assesses your needs.
Medical board guidance says you can become a doctor’s patient through a live online visit or by sending health details and waiting for a reply. Either way, the care must meet the standard expected of a medical visit.
Medical board guidance · starting careAsk what the visit will look like. Leave room for questions about why a medicine fits, or why another plan may fit better.
Is online prescribing allowed?
A controlled drug is a medicine the government tracks under extra rules.
Semaglutide, tirzepatide and liraglutide are not controlled drugs under federal law as of September 2026.
Federal rules · controlled drugsUnder federal law as of September 2026, care for medicines that are not controlled drugs can start online.
U.S. prescription law · ordinary medicinesState rules still govern online prescribing and differ across the country, as checked in September 2026.
U.S. health department · licence rules for online careAsk the service how it meets the rules where you will be during the visit.
Keep the care path in view
Put a licensed remote care service beside an in-person clinic when you compare your options. Ask both about the health review, any tests, the exact medicine, the pharmacy and the next review.
See what belongs in the visit