How We Coordinate with Your Primary Care Doctor

Audience: all

Coordinating care between telemedicine providers and your primary care doctor helps ensure you receive the best possible health support. When you use telemedicine services, your remote healthcare provider may share important information with your primary care doctor to keep your medical records up to date. This collaboration helps avoid duplicated tests, conflicting treatments, and missed health issues. It also supports better follow-up care and personalized treatment plans. However, telemedicine is not a replacement for regular in-person visits with your primary care doctor. Instead, it often serves as a convenient way to get advice, manage minor health concerns, or receive quick follow-up care. Understanding how this coordination works can help you feel more confident and involved in your healthcare journey.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• If you experience chest pain, severe shortness of breath, sudden weakness, or confusion, seek emergency in-person care immediately.
• If you have a high fever that does not improve with treatment, contact your primary care doctor or emergency services.
• If you notice sudden changes in vision, speech, or balance, seek urgent medical attention without delay.

What telemedicine can do

• Providing general health advice and education
• Managing minor illnesses and symptoms
• Reviewing medication side effects
• Coordinating with your primary care doctor for follow-up
• Ordering routine lab tests with coordination

What telemedicine cannot do

• Performing physical examinations requiring hands-on assessment
• Diagnosing serious or complex conditions alone
• Managing emergencies or life-threatening situations
• Prescribing controlled substances without in-person evaluation
• Providing comprehensive chronic disease management without primary care involvement

What Is Primary Care Coordination?

Primary care coordination means your telemedicine provider and your primary care doctor work together to manage your health. This often involves sharing your medical history, test results, and treatment plans. Coordinated care helps both providers understand your health needs and avoid mistakes.

How We Share Information Safely

We use secure systems to send your health information to your primary care doctor with your permission. This may include visit summaries, medication changes, or test results. Protecting your privacy is a top priority, and we follow strict rules to keep your data safe.

Benefits of Coordinated Care

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When Coordination May Not Occur

Sometimes, telemedicine providers cannot contact your primary care doctor due to lack of contact information or if you choose not to share your visit details. In these cases, it’s important for you to inform your primary care doctor about your telemedicine visits to keep your records complete.

Your Role in Care Coordination

You can help by:

Limitations of Telemedicine Coordination

Telemedicine providers may not have access to all your medical records or be able to perform physical exams. Coordination is often limited to sharing information and advice. For complex or urgent health issues, in-person care with your primary care doctor or specialists is usually necessary.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Have your primary care doctor's contact information ready to share.
• Prepare a list of your current medications and health conditions.
• Write down your symptoms and questions before the telemedicine visit.
• Ensure you have a private, quiet space with a reliable internet connection.
• Have any recent test results or medical records available if possible.

After your tele-visit

• Review the telemedicine visit summary and instructions carefully.
• Share the visit summary with your primary care doctor if not automatically done.
• Follow any prescribed treatments or advice given during the visit.
• Schedule follow-up appointments as recommended, either virtually or in-person.
• Monitor your symptoms and seek in-person care if conditions worsen or new symptoms develop.

FAQs

Will my telemedicine provider contact my primary care doctor automatically?

Often, telemedicine providers will share your visit information with your primary care doctor if you give permission. However, this may depend on your provider's policies and available contact information.

What if I don’t have a primary care doctor?

If you don’t have a primary care doctor, telemedicine can help with many health questions, but it’s a good idea to find one for ongoing care and coordination.

Is my health information safe when shared between providers?

Yes. Telemedicine services use secure, encrypted systems to protect your health information when sharing it with other healthcare providers.

Can telemedicine replace my regular visits to my primary care doctor?

Telemedicine is a helpful supplement but usually does not replace regular in-person visits, which are important for comprehensive health assessments and screenings.

What should I do if I have an emergency during a telemedicine visit?

If you have a medical emergency, such as severe chest pain or difficulty breathing, call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Sources

1. MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine / National Institutes of Health.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
3. Mayo Clinic: Patient Care and Health Information — Mayo Clinic.
4. Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ) — U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
5. FamilyDoctor.org — American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

This telemedicine educational guide is not a substitute for professional in-person medical care. If you have urgent or serious health concerns, please seek immediate in-person evaluation.