Already a member or subscriber? Sign in now

A checklist for starting virtual visits

FPM Editors
February 27, 2020

The ability to evaluate patients without having them come to your office can be especially useful during an outbreak of an infectious disease, like the new coronavirus or even the seasonal flu. Here’s a checklist for starting a virtual visits program.

  • Investigate any restrictions on virtual visits by your state medical board.
  • Investigate malpractice coverage for virtual care.
  • Identify what services you will offer virtually.
  • Investigate virtual visit technology/vendors.
  • Understand private payer and Medicare reimbursement.
  • Set prices for cash-paying patients. Survey patients to identify an effective price point, if needed.
  • Ensure HIPAA compliance. See the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services guidance.
  • Draft policies for virtual prescribing, appropriate visit categories, informed consent, etc.
  • Market the service to patients, making it clear that virtual visits are not for urgent matters.

Read the full FPM article: “Should You Treat Patients Virtually?

Posted on Feb 27, 2020 by FPM Editors

Copyright © 2026 by the American Academy of Family Physicians.

This content is owned by the AAFP. A person viewing it online may make one printout of the material and may use that printout only for his or her personal, non-commercial reference. This material may not otherwise be downloaded, copied, printed, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any medium, whether now known or later invented, except as authorized in writing by the AAFP. See permissions for copyright questions and/or permission requests.