Check care
What does a Texas online visit need?
An online visit is often called telehealth. Give the service your planned location for the appointment. Ask how the clinician will assess your concern and how follow-up will work.
Which rules apply to a doctor elsewhere?
Texas treats remote care affecting a patient in Texas as practising medicine in Texas.
As of September 26, 2026.
Texas · Where remote practice occursAsk which Texas licence covers the visit. If the service says a Texas licence is not needed, ask which rule allows that and get the answer in writing.
As of September 26, 2026.
Texas · The rules behind that questionThe Texas Medical Board’s search shows whether a licence is current. Where listed, it also shows the board’s written decisions, such as penalties or plans to correct problems.
As of September 26, 2026.
Texas · Check the doctor’s licenceMatch the doctor’s full name to that record.
Must the first visit be live video?
Texas allows a first online visit with a new doctor by live video. A doctor may also review relevant health records or images without a live conversation. Either method must give the doctor enough information to provide proper care.
As of September 26, 2026.
Texas · A first visit with a new doctorFor that first visit with a new doctor, a phone call without records or images is not one of the listed methods. A phone-only visit can be valid if you already have a care relationship with the doctor.
As of September 26, 2026.
Texas · Phone calls and existing patientsA phone-only visit can also be valid when a doctor takes another doctor’s calls under an agreed plan to cover their patients.
As of September 26, 2026.
Texas · A doctor covering another’s callsAsk the service which rule covers your visit and how the doctor will get enough information about you.
What does consent mean here?
Texas requires informed consent before telehealth care: an explanation of the proposed care followed by your agreement.
As of September 26, 2026.
Texas · Consent before online careAsk what you are agreeing to and leave room for your own questions.
What happens after that first online visit?
After a first online visit with a new doctor using these methods, the clinician must explain what follow-up care you need.
As of September 26, 2026.
Texas · Follow-up after a first visitIf you have a regular doctor and consent to sharing the report, it must be delivered to that doctor within 72 hours.
As of September 26, 2026.
Texas · Sharing the visit report