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[Care, considered.](/)

Plain-language guide

Care briefing

# What kind of visit is this?

Video, a phone call and a reviewed form feel different. Ask how information moves in both directions before choosing a format.

[Browse the briefings](/briefings/at-a-glance/)

![A ceramic arch and a clear glass plane resting apart on black cloth.](/assets/media/routes.webp)

A format is useful when it leaves room for a real exchange.

Source-linked

## Live conversation or reviewed answers

[Read sources](/briefings/visit-formats/#source-file)

How it feels

#### Live video

You and the clinician speak at the same time. Keep your questions where they are easy to see.

#### Reviewed written answers

You write first. The clinician reads later. Ask how you can explain an answer or add something you forgot.

Follow-up questions

#### Live video

Ask the clinician to explain any word that makes the answer hard to follow.

#### Reviewed written answers

As of September 2026, the doctor-licensing boards’ group says a set of questions with no chance to ask more is not enough. The clinician must be able to ask about your answers and get any missing health information.

An exam is needed

#### Live video

Ask what the clinician can assess through video and what needs a separate visit.

#### Reviewed written answers

The same advice says the clinician must arrange any needed tests or send you for a visit in person.

A form can start a conversation. Find out who reads it and how the conversation continues.

## How states treat a form

California permits patient assessment through a questionnaire as of September 2026. The clinician’s care must still be appropriate for that patient’s health problem.

Idaho says care relying solely on an online form with fixed answers has no legitimate medical purpose, as of September 2026.

You cannot judge this from the form’s name alone. Ask: “Is this enough to check my health problem? How will you get any missing information or arrange a needed exam?” State rules differ, so ask which rule applies where you are.

## If the offer is a phone call

### Why this format?

The doctor-licensing boards’ group advises using a phone call without video when a patient cannot or will not use video, or when phone care fits the particular health service.

### Can I ask my own questions?

According to the doctor-licensing boards’ group, patients must have a way to ask their clinician further questions as of September 2026.

Sources for this briefing

Choose the source for your question. For a doctor’s licence, use the state licence search. For a medicine’s approval, ask to see the FDA approval and approved label for that exact product.

Group of doctor-licensing offices · Visit formats

This advice says the clinician must be able to ask about your written answers and get any missing health information.

[Read the source](https://www.fsmb.org/siteassets/advocacy/policies/fsmb-workgroup-on-telemedicineapril-2022-final.pdf)

California · Assessment rule

California allows questionnaires only when the clinician provides appropriate care for the patient’s situation.

[Read the source](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=2242)

Idaho · Prescription rule

Idaho’s rule addresses treatment that relies solely on an online form with fixed answers.

[Read the source](https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title54/T54CH17/SECT54-1733/)

Group of doctor-licensing offices · Questions during care

This advice says choosing medicine from a menu is not enough and patients must be able to ask questions.

[Read the source](https://www.fsmb.org/siteassets/advocacy/policies/guidance-on-recent-trends-in-prescribing-and-dispensing-adopted.pdf)

Continue with a related question

[Bring questions that need real answers.](/briefings/question-brief/)

Use these pages to compare peptide care; this is a guide and no treatment is prescribed or sold here.

[All briefings](/briefings/at-a-glance/)

[Questions to bring](/briefings/question-brief/)

[Source records](/briefings/visit-formats/#source-file)

[Text copy](/briefings/visit-formats/index.md)

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[Costs](/briefings/cost-brief/)

[Checks](/briefings/licence-brief/)

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