About This Service
UT Health Austin's Telehealth service allows healthcare providers to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients remotely using Zoom, a secure video conferencing platform. Through our virtual care model, patients are able to visit with their care team and access information about treatments for themselves or their loved ones from a place of convenience, including the comfort of their own home. Many of the same services that are offered in person are also offered virtually to allow us to best meet patient needs.
How It Works
<br>To set up a telehealth appointment at UT Health Austin, complete the following steps:
- Request a telehealth appointment by calling 1-833-UT-CARES (1-833-882-2737). A member of the UT Health Austin Access Center will schedule your telehealth appointment with the appropriate care team.
- Provide an active email address and phone number. Once you are confirmed for a telehealth appointment, you will receive the necessary forms that must be filled out prior to your appointment and a Zoom meeting invite.
- Complete the necessary pre-appointment forms before your telehealth appointment. These forms must be completed prior to your appointment to allow your care team to discuss and develop potential treatment plans tailored to your specific needs. Your provider may not be able to conduct your appointment until this information is received.
- Join your Zoom meeting. You will receive a Zoom meeting invite that will include the date and time of your appointment as well as a link to join the virtual meeting. Zoom telehealth links are typically sent out the day before your scheduled appointment. If you have not received your Zoom telehealth link within two hours of the appointment, please call the UT Health Austin Access Center at 1-833-UT-CARES (1-833-882-2737).
Tips for Your Visit
<br>Before your telehealth appointment, it might be helpful to have the following on hand to help with the preliminary discussion:
- A blood pressure cuff
- Pulse checking device
- Thermometer
- A list of medications you are taking
- Your medical history
To ensure you and your healthcare provider get the most out of your appointment, you should do the following:
- Create your free Zoom account here
- Go to a quiet, well-lit, distraction-free area
- Test the video, audio, and speakers on your computer, tablet, or smartphone
- Hold the device steady, rest it on a sturdy surface, or have a guardian hold it
- Keep the device 18-24 inches from your body so the provider can see you and properly diagnose your condition if needed
For more information about preparing for an appointment at UT Health Austin, click here.
Patient Privacy Telehealth Statement
UT Health Austin takes patient privacy seriously. We currently use Zoom as our virtual visit platform. It’s important to understand the Zoom teleconferencing platform offers multiple levels of security. Unlike the free and basic versions of Zoom, UT Health Austin provides telehealth services through a secured version of Zoom that contains additional security controls, including secure video, audio, and content sharing that uses high-level encryption technology (AES 256 encryption) to ensure secure connections between our healthcare providers and our patients. UT Health Austin has also enabled secure waiting room features, access control features, and transport encryption. Additionally, UT Health Austin and Zoom have an established Business Associate Agreement, an agreement required under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), to ensure appropriate privacy standards are followed to protect patients' health information. The Business Associate Agreement ensures that Zoom maintains the privacy and security of all patient health information transmitted in the virtual platform to protect our patient’s privacy.