Can a screen be a real visit?

Find the assessment inside the process

Ask who reads your answers, what information they need and how they can ask more questions.

A questionnaire can precede a prescription in California, as of September 2026, but the person assessing you must still give the care your medical problem calls for.

The national medical boards group says the person assessing you must be able to follow up with questions, and you must have a way to ask yours.

A treatment menu by itself falls short of proper care in the medical boards federation’s guidance, as of September 2026.

State medical boards form the Federation of State Medical Boards; the group’s guidance is not California law in itself.

Know when the screen is not enough

Federation guidance says the person assessing you needs to arrange tests or send you for an exam in person when your medical problem requires it.

A referral means being sent to another medical professional or service for part of the assessment.

Ask what would lead to that step, who would arrange it and whether the proposed visit fee includes further discussion.

• Can I ask the person treating me my own questions?
• What might need an exam in a room?
• Who explains any test results?

Ask how the visit ends

Request a clear plan: what was decided, what still needs checking, when to speak again and how to get a reply between visits.

California telehealth consent can be spoken or written and must be recorded, as of September 2026.

Consent means agreeing to that way of receiving care; it does not guarantee a prescription.