Patient guidance

When telehealth is not enough: knowing when to seek in-person care

Telehealth handles a lot, but not everything. Here's how to think about when to book an online visit, when to go in person, and when to seek urgent or emergency care.

By Sophia Nairima, FNP-BC, PMHNP-C · Reviewed May 2026

Quick answer

Short version: Telehealth works well for many common conditions and follow-up care. In-person evaluation is needed for many physical exam concerns, urgent symptoms, and emergencies.

One of the most useful things a clinician can tell you is whether the right care is online, in person, or in an emergency room. We say this often: telehealth is a tool, not a substitute for everything.

What telehealth handles well

  • Common conditions like UTI, BV, yeast infections, acid reflux, and hair loss evaluation
  • Mental health care including anxiety, depression, and ADHD evaluation
  • Chronic condition follow-up like thyroid and GERD
  • Medication management and refills
  • Hormonal care including perimenopause and birth control consultation
  • Education, planning, and care coordination

When in-person care is needed

Telehealth has limits. In-person evaluation is usually needed for:

  • Conditions that need a physical exam (pelvic, abdominal, joint, neurological)
  • Procedures like IUD or implant placement
  • Many imaging or lab-heavy workups
  • Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
  • Bleeding after menopause
  • Suspected serious infections requiring exam or testing

When to seek urgent care or the ER

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for chest pain, trouble breathing, severe bleeding, fainting, signs of stroke, severe allergic reaction, severe pain, or any symptom that feels severe or rapidly worsening. For mental health crisis, call or text 988.

Urgent care (the walk-in clinic kind, not the ER) is appropriate when something feels too urgent to wait for an appointment but is not life-threatening. Examples: fever with worsening symptoms, possible fracture, suspected infection that needs in-person evaluation, dehydration, severe migraine.

How to decide

A practical decision approach:

  1. Is this an emergency? Call 911. Don't wait.
  2. Is this urgent and physically severe? Urgent care or ER.
  3. Is this a familiar condition that I can describe clearly? Telehealth.
  4. Is this a new, unclear, or recurring symptom? Book a telehealth visit and we'll decide together whether you need in-person care.

If you're not sure, book the telehealth visit. We can quickly tell you whether telehealth is the right setting or you need to be seen in person.

FAQs

Will I get charged for a telehealth visit if I'm told I need in-person care?

Yes. The visit fee covers the clinical evaluation regardless of the recommended next step.

Can I see you in person?

No. Seavaint Health is a telehealth-only practice. We refer to in-person care when appropriate.

Will you help me find in-person care if I need it?

We can recommend types of providers (urgent care, specialist, primary care) and discuss what to look for, but we don't directly schedule outside providers.

What if I'm in pain right now?

If it's severe, call 911 or go to urgent care or the ER. For mild-to-moderate pain that fits a familiar pattern, telehealth may be appropriate.

Authored and reviewed by Sophia Nairima, FNP-BC, PMHNP-C. Last reviewed May 2026. This article is educational and not a substitute for individual medical advice. For care, book a visit in the patient portal.

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