Telemedicine visits: what's possible virtually and what needs an office visit

What is telemedicine?

Telemedicine is medical care delivered at a distance using secure, real-time communication, usually a two-way video call and, in many cases, a phone call. It is not email or texting. For the right visits, a virtual appointment saves travel time and makes it easier to stay on top of follow-up care, medication questions and test results without coming into the office.

Which visits can happen virtually at APRM Solutions?

The practice offers telemedicine for the consultations and follow-ups that can happen safely from home:

• Follow-up visits, including reviewing how a treatment or medication is going.
• Medication discussions, such as refill questions, dose questions and side effects.
• Lab and result reviews, deciding next steps with your clinician.
• Some consultations and intake visits, which can start virtually to save time before an in-person appointment.

Which services still require an in-person visit?

Anything that needs hands-on care stays in the office. That includes physical examinations that require touch, all IV therapy and infusion sessions including NAD+, DOT physicals, procedures and treatments performed in the clinic, and blood draws. The team will say plainly when a virtual visit is not appropriate, rather than stretching telemedicine beyond what is safe.

What do Medicare's telehealth rules say?

Medicare's COVID-era telehealth flexibilities were extended through December 31, 2027. Under the current rules, beneficiaries can receive telehealth anywhere in the United States, including at home, and audio-only phone visits are paid at the same rate as video for behavioral health and home dialysis services. Only services on Medicare's approved telehealth list qualify; hands-on procedures and services requiring an in-person exam cannot be billed as telehealth. The CMS telehealth FAQ and telehealth.hhs.gov are the best current references.

What does Connecticut law require?

Connecticut made its telehealth rules permanent with Public Act 24-110 (2024), so the expanded rules that were previously temporary are now a permanent part of care under state law. Connecticut-licensed providers may deliver care by real-time audio-video or audio-only, must meet the same standard of care as in-person visits, and must explain treatment methods and limitations to the patient at the first telehealth interaction. State law also restricts prescribing through telehealth: Schedule I controlled substances cannot be prescribed remotely, and Schedule II and III substances may be prescribed via telehealth only for certain psychiatric or substance use disorder treatments. The Center for Connected Health Policy's Connecticut profile summarizes the details.

Is telemedicine covered by insurance?

Coverage varies by plan, and it has changed quickly over the past few years. Connecticut law requires insurers to cover telehealth when they would cover the same service in person, but your specific plan's details still matter. The APRM Solutions team checks your benefits and confirms whether a virtual visit is covered before you book, so you are not guessing.

How do I request a telemedicine visit?

Call (475) 314-3113 or request an appointment and note that you prefer telemedicine. The team confirms that your visit can happen virtually, checks coverage, and sends a secure video link with simple instructions. No special software is needed beyond a phone, tablet or computer with a camera. See the telemedicine service page for more detail.