The temporary waivers authorized during the public health emergency included changes in policies on telehealth reimbursement under Medicare. As a result, a wide range of health care professionals now offer a range of services through telemedicine including live video appointments.

Telehealth is not simply one form of health care. It includes a range of services that patients receive virtually from their home or another preferred location instead of in a health care setting. Through telehealth, a patient can virtually consult with a health care provider without having to travel to the provider’s office. This type of “at home” telehealth is sometimes called direct-to-patient, direct-to-consumer, or on-demand care and enables patients to obtain medical advice and treatment on their own technology devices and at a time that is convenient for them. Direct-to-consumer telehealth can be conducted synchronously or asynchronously, depending on the purpose of the appointment and the patient’s needs.