How to Do a Video Visit with Your Doctor: A Step-by-Step Guide

Video visits with your doctor used to be rare. Now they are common. Most doctors offer them, and most insurance plans cover them the same way they cover office visits.

A video visit (also called a telehealth visit) lets you see and talk to your doctor on your phone, tablet, or computer. You do not leave your home. There is no waiting room. And for many health concerns, it works just as well as being there in person.

If you have never done a video visit before, this guide will walk you through every step.

When a Video Visit Works Well

Video visits are great for:

Medication refills and adjustments
Follow-up appointments after a procedure
Reviewing test results or lab work
Cold and flu symptoms
Rashes and skin concerns (you show them on camera)
Mental health check-ins
Questions about ongoing health conditions
Getting referrals to specialists

When You Should Go In Person

Some things still need a hands-on visit:

Chest pain, trouble breathing, or other urgent symptoms (call 911 for emergencies)
Physical exams that require touching or listening with a stethoscope
Blood draws or imaging (X-rays, MRIs)
New or unexplained pain that needs a physical exam
Vaccinations or injections

When in doubt, ask your doctor’s office. They will tell you if a video visit is right for your concern.

What You Need Before Your Visit

You need three things:

A device with a camera. A smartphone, tablet, or computer with a webcam. Most phones and tablets have cameras built in.
An internet connection. Wi-Fi at home is best. If you use your phone’s data, make sure you have a strong signal.
The right app or website. Your doctor’s office will tell you which one to use. Common ones include MyChart, Doximity, Doxy.me, and Zoom.

Step 1: Schedule Your Video Visit

Call your doctor’s office or log in to their patient portal (like MyChart).

By phone:

Call your doctor’s office.
Say: “I would like to schedule a video visit.”
They will give you a date, time, and instructions for connecting.

Online through a patient portal:

Log in to your patient portal (MyChart is the most common).
Look for “Schedule an Appointment” or “Appointments.”
Choose “Video Visit” as the visit type.
Pick a date and time.
You will get a confirmation email with a link to join.

Tip: Schedule your visit for a time when your home is quiet. Turn off the TV and ask others in the house to keep noise down during the call.

Your doctor’s office will tell you which app to use. Here is how to download it:

On iPhone

Open the App Store (the blue icon with a white “A”).
Tap the Search tab at the bottom.
Type the name of the app (like “MyChart” or “Doximity”).
Tap Get, then confirm with your face, fingerprint, or Apple ID password.

On Android

Open the Google Play Store (the colorful triangle icon).
Tap the search bar at the top.
Type the name of the app.
Tap Install.

On a Computer

Many video visit platforms work in your web browser. You may not need to download anything. Just click the link from your confirmation email.

Do this a day or two before your appointment. That way you have time to fix any problems.

Step 3: Test Your Setup

Do not wait until the last minute. Test your camera, microphone, and internet connection the day before.

Quick test:

Open the app you will use for the visit.
Look for a “Test” or “Check Setup” option. Many apps have one.
If there is no test option, open your phone’s camera app. If you can see yourself, your camera works.
Make a regular phone call to someone. If they can hear you clearly, your microphone works.

Common problems and fixes:

Camera not working: Make sure you gave the app permission to use your camera. Go to Settings, find the app, and turn on Camera.
Microphone not working: Same idea. Go to Settings, find the app, and turn on Microphone.
Blurry or dark picture: Move to a room with good lighting. Sit facing a window if possible. Natural light is best.
Slow connection: Move closer to your Wi-Fi router. Close other apps on your device.

Step 4: Prepare for Your Visit

Before the appointment, write down a few things:

Your symptoms. When did they start? How often do they happen? What makes them better or worse?
Your medications. Have the bottles nearby or a written list. Include vitamins and supplements.
Your questions. Write them down so you do not forget. Even two or three questions are worth writing down.
Any measurements. If you have a blood pressure cuff or thermometer at home, take a reading before the visit.

Wear appropriate clothing. If your concern is a shoulder pain, wear a shirt you can easily pull down. If it is a skin rash on your leg, wear shorts.

Step 5: Join the Visit

Most visits start with you joining a virtual waiting room a few minutes early.

How to join:

Open the app or click the link from your confirmation email.
Log in if asked.
Look for a “Join Visit” or “Start Visit” button. Tap it.
The app will ask to use your camera and microphone. Tap Allow.
You may see a waiting room message. Just wait. Your doctor will appear when they are ready.

Join 5 to 10 minutes early. This gives you time to solve any last-minute problems.

Step 6: During the Visit

Once your doctor appears on screen:

Look at the camera (the small dot at the top of your screen), not at the screen. This makes it feel like eye contact for your doctor.
Speak clearly and slowly. Video calls can have slight delays.
Show, do not just tell. If you have a rash, hold the affected area close to the camera. If you are asking about a medication, hold up the bottle.
Ask questions from your list. Do not feel rushed. This is your appointment.
Take notes or ask a family member to sit nearby and write things down.

If the connection drops: Do not panic. Close the app, reopen it, and rejoin. Your doctor will wait. If you cannot reconnect, call your doctor’s office by phone.

Step 7: After the Visit

When the visit ends:

Check your patient portal. Your doctor may send a visit summary, new prescriptions, or follow-up instructions through MyChart or a similar portal.
Pick up prescriptions. If your doctor prescribed something new, it will be sent to your pharmacy. You can usually pick it up within a few hours.
Schedule follow-up appointments. Your doctor may want to see you again, either by video or in person.
Save the app. Do not delete it. You will use it again for future video visits.

Tips for the Best Video Visit Experience

Prop your device up. Lean your phone or tablet against something sturdy so it stays at eye level. Holding it in your hand makes the picture shaky.
Charge your device. Video calls use a lot of battery. Start with a full charge or plug in during the visit.
Use headphones. Earbuds or headphones help your doctor hear you more clearly and give you more privacy.
Sit in a well-lit room. Face a window or a lamp. Do not sit with a bright window behind you, or your face will be in shadow.
Close other apps. This helps your phone or computer run the video smoothly.

What About Medicare Coverage?

Medicare covers most telehealth visits the same way it covers in-person visits. Here is what you should know:

Medicare Part B covers video visits with your doctor. You pay the same copay or coinsurance as an office visit.
Medicare Advantage plans often cover additional telehealth services, including 24/7 nurse lines.
You do not need to live in a rural area. Medicare telehealth coverage is available nationwide.

If you are unsure, call the number on the back of your Medicare card and ask if your visit type is covered.

You Can Do This

A video visit might feel unfamiliar the first time. That is completely normal. But most people find that after one or two visits, it feels natural. You see your doctor’s face. You have a real conversation. And you do it all from the comfort of your own home.

The hardest part is the first time. After that, it is just a doctor’s visit without the drive.

Reported by Lisa Chen with additional research from the SeniorDaily editorial team. For corrections or updates, please contact us.

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