The place of the visit
The visit can happen across a distance.
Telehealth means receiving care from someone who is in another place, such as through a video call.
- Live care
You speak with the person providing care at the same time, as in a video call. Think about where you can talk and hear clearly.
- Care reviewed later
You might fill in an online health form that the person providing care reads later.
Asynchronous means you and that person are not taking part at the same time.
Washington allows more than a video call.
As of September 30, 2026, Washington permits a patient relationship to begin through telehealth, including care reviewed later.
Washington law says email, texts, instant messages or fax alone are not enough to start that care relationship.
Here, a care relationship means the person treating you has taken on your medical care.
A first assessment can use information reviewed later; Washington law does not always require a live call.
Ask how the service reviews your health information and meets the rules for starting care. Ordinary messages alone are not enough.
The rule behind those visit terms
The rule behind those visit terms
Washington applies the professional standards for comparable in-person care to telehealth too.
That includes consent, prescribing, privacy and checking identity, as of September 30, 2026.
Where you sit is part of the care question.
Someone treating you from another state generally needs permission to practise in Washington while you are there, under rules checked September 30, 2026.
One narrow exception lets an out-of-state professional advise the Washington professional who remains responsible for your treatment. Another allows a specialist to assess your problem or recommend care, but not give the treatment. Some follow-up is also allowed if you are visiting Washington and already received care where that professional is licensed.
Confirm the appointment’s location with the service, including your state. Ask whether the person has permission to treat you in that state.
Leave room for a different kind of visit.
Discuss the fallback if a remote visit cannot answer the medical question. Who arranges a test or examination, and who gets the result?
Prepare for the assessmentKeep reading
The assessment and follow-up