Telehealth 101: Everything Providers Should Know

What Is Telehealth?

Telehealth refers to the use of digital technologies to deliver healthcare services remotely. This includes real-time video consultations, phone calls, remote patient monitoring, and secure messaging between patients and providers. It allows clinicians to evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage care without requiring the patient to be physically present in the clinic.

While often confused with telemedicine, telehealth is the broader term—it covers not only clinical services but also non-clinical activities like care coordination, provider training, follow-up communication, and patient education. In short, telehealth brings healthcare beyond the exam room, making it more accessible, flexible, and efficient for both providers and patients.

For healthcare professionals, telehealth can be integrated into existing workflows to extend reach, reduce no-show rates, streamline follow-ups, and improve continuity of care—especially for patients in rural or underserved areas.

How Telehealth Works

Telehealth is delivered through three main modalities:

• Synchronous (real-time): Live video or phone consultations between providers and patients. These sessions simulate in-person visits, enabling immediate communication and decision-making
• Asynchronous (store-and-forward): Patients send information such as images or recordings for later review by providers. This is useful in specialties like dermatology and radiology
• Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM): Wearables and connected devices transmit health data to providers for ongoing tracking of chronic conditions, allowing timely interventions

Technology platforms that support telehealth are typically HIPAA-compliant and accessible via desktop or mobile devices. Many systems integrate EHR access, intake forms, scheduling, and billing to support end-to-end virtual care workflows.

Benefits of Telehealth

• Expanded access: Telehealth breaks down geographic barriers, making it easier for patients in rural or underserved areas to receive care. It also benefits those with limited mobility, transportation issues, or busy schedules
• Convenience and flexibility: Patients can attend appointments from home or work, improving adherence and satisfaction. Providers can fill gaps in their schedules or conduct follow-ups more efficiently
• Better chronic care management: Frequent touchpoints via telehealth help patients manage ongoing conditions such as diabetes or hypertension, reducing complications and hospitalizations
• Improved continuity and collaboration: Secure messaging and shared platforms enable better coordination between primary care, specialists, and support staff, all while keeping the patient engaged
• Cost savings: Virtual visits often reduce travel costs, missed workdays, and unnecessary ER or urgent care visits. Providers may see lower overhead and increased operational efficiency
• Safety in public health crises: During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth played a key role in minimizing exposure risks while maintaining access to care, an advantage that continues to apply in various settings

Challenges of Telehealth

• Technology access and digital literacy: Patients without reliable internet or smart devices may be excluded. Some older adults may also struggle with using virtual platforms
• Licensing and reimbursement rules: Providers must navigate a patchwork of state-specific telehealth laws and insurance reimbursement policies, many of which are still evolving post-pandemic
• Clinical limitations: Not all conditions are suitable for virtual care. Hands-on exams, diagnostics, and certain procedures still require in-person visits
• Privacy and security: Telehealth introduces new privacy considerations. Platforms must meet security standards to protect patient data and prevent unauthorized access

Real-World Use Cases

Telehealth is widely used across many specialties and settings:

• Primary care: Routine visits, medication management, and preventive screenings
• Mental health: Counseling, therapy, and psychiatric evaluations
• Pediatrics: Remote symptom checks and follow-ups for minor illnesses
• Post-op care: Wound checks and recovery monitoring
• Chronic disease management: Diabetes, heart disease, and COPD monitoring through RPM tools

Healthcare systems are increasingly blending in-person and virtual care models to give patients more choice and flexibility.

Recommended Telehealth Software

Tebra

Tebra combines practice management and EHR capabilities into a streamlined platform for small to mid-sized practices. Formed from the merger of Kareo and PatientPop, it offers built-in telehealth tools that integrate seamlessly with scheduling, charting, and billing. Video visits are secure, easy to initiate, and accessible to patients via a simple link, no downloads required. Pre-visit forms and automated reminders enhance workflow efficiency. Tebra also supports revenue cycle management and patient engagement, making it a well-rounded solution for clinics that want to simplify virtual and in-person operations without juggling multiple platforms.

DrChrono

DrChrono is a flexible, cloud-based EHR system with robust telehealth functionality. Providers can conduct video visits directly within the EHR interface while simultaneously accessing patient charts, prescribing medications, and documenting notes. Patients join virtual appointments through secure links and benefit from a smooth mobile experience, whether using a smartphone or tablet. The platform also includes billing, customizable templates, and an intuitive patient portal. DrChrono is especially valuable for providers who want telehealth, EHR, and practice management bundled into a single, user-friendly system.

Salesforce Health Cloud

Salesforce Health Cloud is a powerful CRM-based platform for healthcare organizations focused on care coordination and patient engagement. While not a traditional EHR, it integrates with video conferencing tools like Zoom and Doxy.me to facilitate telehealth. Its strength lies in creating a unified view of the patient, aggregating data from EHRs, devices, and interactions across teams. Health Cloud supports population health management, remote monitoring, and automated workflows, making it ideal for larger systems or those focused on complex, team-based care. Its analytics and customization capabilities offer deep insights for both individual and population-level health initiatives.

Conclusion

Telehealth is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s a core component of modern healthcare. For providers, it opens new avenues to reach patients, streamline workflows, and deliver high-quality care beyond the walls of their clinic. While there are real c-hallenges to address, the long-term value of virtual care is clear.

As demand for hybrid models of care grows, investing in the right telehealth software is essential. Platforms like Tebra, DrChrono, and Salesforce Health Cloud give providers the tools to offer secure, convenient, and connected care that meets the evolving needs of patients today.

For practices considering EHR solutions, it’s advisable to conduct a thorough evaluation of the platform’s features against specific operational needs. Exploring our reviews of top EHR solutions can provide additional insights into their suitability. Additionally, utilizing our comparison tool to pit your top choices against each other, as well as browsing through our educational articles on this industry, can also aid in understanding the platform’s offerings and pricing structure. Ultimately, selecting the right EHR system involves balancing functionality, cost, and support to align with a practice’s unique requirements and goals.