Related Terms
Telehealth vs telemedicine
Asynchronous telehealth
See Also
Launching video visits takes a few setup decisions. See how practices add telemedicine
Easy Telemedicine
ABOUT THIS ENTRY
Category Core: Telehealth
Reading time: 1 min
Updated: Nov 2026
Telehealth
Definition
Telehealth is the broad term for using technology to deliver health services and information at a distance, including clinical care, patient education, remote monitoring, and provider training.
Why the distinction matters
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) uses telehealth as the umbrella term.
Telemedicine, meaning remote clinical care, is one part of it. Telehealth also covers services that don't involve a diagnosis, like a nutrition class held over video or a nurse reviewing blood sugar readings sent from home.
Telehealth takes a few forms. Live video is synchronous. Store-and-forward, where photos or data are sent for later review, is asynchronous.
Remote patient monitoring tracks readings like weight or blood pressure over time. Payer coverage differs for each, so practices confirm the rules before they offer a new service.
Example
A cardiology practice runs three telehealth services: video follow-ups after discharge, a monthly online class on heart-healthy eating, and a remote weight monitoring program for heart failure patients that flags sudden gains to a nurse.
Frequently Asked
-
Is telehealth the same as telemedicine?
Telemedicine is one type of telehealth. Telehealth also includes non-clinical remote services.
-
What are the main types of telehealth?
Live video visits, store-and-forward (asynchronous) care, remote patient monitoring, and mobile health tools.
-
Is telehealth covered by insurance?
Many payers cover it, but rules differ by payer, state, and service type. Check each plan before billing.