How telehealth works with us in Puerto Rico

What is telehealth and how does it work in Puerto Rico?

Telehealth is a medical visit at a distance. In Puerto Rico it is governed by the Telemedicine and Telehealth Act, Ley 168-2018, which requires, among other things, that the patient sign a written informed consent before the first visit and that the doctor hold a Puerto Rico license.

Our visits are real-time video: you and the doctor see and talk to each other live. We do not do form-only or message-only care. More in the guide to the telemedicine law.

Who can use the service

The service is for:

• People who are physically in Puerto Rico during the visit, including visitors and tourists.
• Adults, and children from 6 months old.
• If the patient is under 21, a parent with patria potestad (parental authority) or a legal guardian signs the consent, stays on camera for the whole visit and shows photo ID.
• Non-emergency problems only. In an emergency call 911.

Step by step: from request to visit

This is what happens, in order:

1. On the booking page you confirm you are eligible and pay US$79 on Stripe's secure page. It asks for your email and phone, but no health information.
2. We contact you by email or text to confirm the time of your visit.
3. You receive an invitation from SimplePractice, our records and video platform, to complete your details and sign the informed consent.
4. At the agreed time you open the secure video link. At the start, the doctor confirms your identity and the address where you are in Puerto Rico.
5. The doctor assesses you and explains the plan: treatment, a prescription if appropriate, lab tests if needed, or whether you need to be seen in person.

What you need for the video visit

Have ready:

• A computer with a camera and microphone, or a phone or tablet with the free "Telehealth by SimplePractice" app.
• A stable internet connection. Use wifi if you can.
• A private, well-lit place.
• Photo ID (the parent's or guardian's if the patient is under 21).
• A list of the medications you take. For a child, a recent weight and a thermometer.

Informed consent

Before your first visit you sign a written consent to receive care by telehealth. It explains how care is delivered, its benefits and limits, the confidentiality risks of the technology, and your right to refuse. Visits are not recorded. Read the informed consent.

Prescriptions and lab tests

If appropriate, the doctor can prescribe medication. We do not prescribe controlled substances. If you need tests, the doctor gives you a lab order, and you can review the results with her in a follow-up visit. A prescription, lab order or doctor’s note has no extra charge: it’s part of the US$79 online doctor visit. Labs and pharmacies charge separately; see pricing.

If you need to be seen in person

A video visit can't do everything. If the doctor decides you need a physical exam, a test that can't be done by video, or emergency care, she will tell you and point you to where to go. See what we don't do by telehealth and when to go to the ER.

Frequently asked questions

Can I do the visit by phone instead of video?

No. For now we only do real-time video visits, because they let the doctor see you and confirm the identity of the patient and the guardian.

What happens if the doctor decides I need to be seen in person?

She will tell you during the visit and point you to the kind of care to look for. If it is an emergency, she will tell you to call 911 or go to the ER.

Do I need to download anything?

On a computer, no: the video visit runs in your browser. On a phone or tablet you need the free "Telehealth by SimplePractice" app.

What language is the visit in?

English or Spanish, whichever you prefer. The SimplePractice portal can be shown in Spanish on the web; some forms and the app are in English.

Related pages

• Book a visit
• Informed consent
• Pricing
• FAQ
• What we don't do
• Emergencies
• Puerto Rico telemedicine law