Telehealth and COVID-19

It is important to protect yourself and your health care provider during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Telehealth can help you get access to your provider without spreading or getting COVID-19.

If you are having a medical emergency, call 911.

I am interested in the COVID-19 vaccine

The COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from getting the virus. Use these resources if you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, where to get one, or how to make an appointment:

Talk to your health care provider.
Learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine from the CDC.
Have you already received a COVID vaccine and it has been a least six months since you received your final dose? That means you are eligible for a vaccine booster, which can give you additional protection. Learn more here.

Tip: The COVID-19 vaccine is free of charge to everyone regardless of income, immigration, or health insurance status. Health care providers’ office visit fees may still apply.

Fast resource to find the COVID-19 vaccine

To find where to get a COVID-19 vaccine near you:

Search vaccines.gov
Text your ZIP code to 438829
Call 1-800-232-0233
Check your local pharmacy’s website to see if vaccination appointments are available. Find out which pharmacies are participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.
Contact your state health department to find additional vaccination locations in the area
Check your local news outlets. They may have information on how to get a vaccination appointment.

I am worried that I have COVID-19

It is extremely important that you self-isolate if you think you may have COVID-19 or have been exposed. That means staying home from work or school and distancing yourself from friends and family, even the people who live in your home.

Follow these steps to get the care you need.

Know your telehealth options

Many health care providers now provide telemedicine services. Contact your provider or health insurance company to ask about your options.

There are also health centers and on-demand telehealth services available to everyone, including people who do not have health insurance.

See finding telehealth options for details.

Did you know?

Patients can maximize cost savings on internet bills. Learn more by visiting GetInternet.gov. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and Lifeline are federal government programs that help eligible households pay for internet services and internet connected devices. Eligible families who pair their benefit with one of the partnered internet providers can receive high-speed internet at no cost.

Eligibility for ACP and Lifeline programs is based on income or meeting other criteria. For the Affordable Connectivity Program, eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or using an online or mail in application. To apply for Lifeline, households can apply online, by mail, or through a phone or internet company.

Before you meet with your health care provider online

Your health care provider will need several important pieces of information when you schedule a telemedicine visit to discuss COVID-19. Consider writing down this information before your virtual visit:

Your symptoms — What are they and when they started
Your health — Any other health conditions you have and how you have been managing them during the pandemic
Exposure to COVID-19 — If you have definitely been exposed, how, and when
Your questions — If there is anything specific you want to know about your health or the health of other people in your home

I have COVID-19 symptoms 4 or more weeks after infection

Some COVID-19 patients continue to have symptoms four or more weeks after they are diagnosed. They have what’s called long COVID, or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). Even people who did not have symptoms in the first days or weeks after they were infected can have a post-COVID condition.

Post-COVID health symptoms include:

Tiredness or fatigue
Difficulty concentrating or “brain fog”
Headache
Loss of smell or taste
Dizziness on standing
Fast-beating or pounding heart
Chest pain
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Cough
Joint or muscle pain
Depression or anxiety
Fever
Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental activities

How telehealth helps people with long COVID

Telehealth can help you get the care and monitoring you need without having to leave the comfort of your own home.

There are several ways you may be able to receive care for long-term COVID-19 symptoms:

Talk to your health care provider about telehealth options for follow-up care after leaving the hospital or their office
Use remote patient monitoring devices so your health care provider can check on you at home. For example, these devices might check your blood sugar or blood pressure.
Get support for specialty care faster via telehealth than waiting to see a health care provider in person
Meet with your health care provider during a telehealth appointment to discuss lab test results to clearly understand how your symptoms are affecting your body
Take time during your telehealth appointment to ask your health care provider about medications or treatments that can help manage your symptoms
Use telehealth as a bridge between your in-person appointments. While telehealth is a convenient way to access fast, quality health care, your health care provider may want to examine you in person from time to time.

Read more about the long-term effects of COVID-19.

Tip: Are you new to telehealth? Get tips and information on the basics of telehealth (PDF).

It is important to take care of yourself, especially during a pandemic. Stress and anxiety can make other health problems even harder to manage.

Do not ignore health concerns. Contact your health care provider for their advice.

Learn about the types of care you can get using telehealth and locate a health care provider by finding telehealth options in your area.

Tip: Check out these tips on protecting yourself from COVID-19 fraud.

Last updated: July 27, 2022

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