How Online OB/GYN Appointments Work and What to Expect

What an online OB/GYN appointment actually involves

An online OB/GYN appointment is a video visit with your doctor or midwife using your phone, tablet, or computer. You'll sit in a private space at home, connect through a secure video platform, and talk face-to-face with your provider for 15 to 30 minutes. The doctor can see you, hear you, and ask questions about your symptoms, medical history, or pregnancy progress the same way they would in an office.

Not every OB/GYN visit can happen online. Appointments that require a physical exam — like a pelvic exam, ultrasound, or cervical screening — must happen in person. Online visits work best for follow-up conversations after an ultrasound, medication refills, results review, questions about pregnancy symptoms, or routine check-ins between in-person appointments. Your provider will tell you whether your specific visit can be done remotely or needs to be scheduled at the office.

Key Takeaways

• Online OB/GYN visits happen through a secure video platform and work for symptom discussions, medication refills, and results review, but not for physical exams or ultrasounds.
• You'll need a device with a camera and microphone, a private space, and a stable internet connection to join the appointment.
• Your insurance may cover online visits the same way it covers office visits, though some plans have restrictions or require you to use in-network providers.
• You should have your medical records, insurance card, and a list of current medications ready before the appointment starts.
• If your provider discovers during the visit that you need an exam or test, they will schedule an in-person appointment and may or may not complete the video visit that day.

How to set up your device and internet before the appointment

Test your setup at least 15 minutes before your appointment time. Open the video platform your provider uses — common ones include Zoom, Teladoc, Amwell, or your health system's own app — and make sure your camera and microphone work. Speak a few words and watch yourself on screen to confirm the video and audio are clear. If you're using a phone, prop it up so your face is at eye level; if you're using a laptop, position the screen so you're looking slightly down at it, not up.

Find a quiet, private room where you won't be interrupted. Close the door, silence your phone if you're using a computer, and ask anyone else in your home to stay out during the visit. Check your internet connection by running a speed test on your device — you need at least 2.5 megabits per second download speed for a stable video call. If your Wi-Fi is slow or unreliable, move closer to your router or use a wired connection if possible.

Charge your device fully or plug it in before you start. Have your insurance card, photo ID, and a notebook nearby in case you need to write down instructions or new medication names. If you're pregnant, have your due date or last menstrual period written down so you don't have to search for it during the call.

What your provider will ask and what you should tell them

Your OB/GYN will start by asking why you scheduled the appointment — whether it's a routine check-in, a concern about symptoms, or a follow-up to a previous visit. Be specific about any symptoms: when they started, how often they happen, what makes them better or worse, and whether anything else has changed. If you're pregnant, mention any bleeding, cramping, discharge, swelling, headaches, or vision changes. If you're not pregnant, describe any irregular periods, pain, or other changes since your last visit.

Tell your provider about any new medications you've started, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements. Mention any allergies or reactions you've had to medications in the past. If you've had recent lab work or imaging done elsewhere, let them know — they may ask you to send those results to their office before or after the visit. If you're calling about a prescription refill, have the medication name and dose ready.

Your provider may ask about your mental health, sexual activity, substance use, or domestic safety. These questions are routine and confidential. Answer honestly so they can give you the best care. If you're uncomfortable discussing something on video, you can ask to schedule an in-person visit instead, or tell your provider you'd prefer to discuss it at your next office appointment.

Insurance coverage and what it might cost

Most insurance plans cover online OB/GYN visits at the same rate as office visits — you pay your regular copay or coinsurance. However, some plans have restrictions: they may only cover telehealth visits with in-network providers, or they may not cover them at all. Call your insurance company before your appointment and give them the provider's name and the date of the visit. Ask whether the visit is covered and what you'll owe out of pocket.

If you don't have insurance or your plan doesn't cover telehealth, ask your provider's office what the visit costs. Some OB/GYN offices charge a flat fee for online visits — typically $75 to $150 — while others use a sliding scale based on income. A few providers offer online visits through telehealth platforms like Teladoc or Amwell, which may have their own pricing separate from your insurance.

If you're pregnant and covered by Medicaid, most states cover prenatal telehealth visits. Ask your Medicaid office or your OB/GYN's billing department whether your specific visit is covered.

What happens if your provider needs to examine you during the visit

If your provider starts the video call and realizes they need to do a physical exam, pelvic ultrasound, or other hands-on test, they will stop the video visit and schedule you for an in-person appointment. This is not a failure — it's your provider being thorough. They may complete the conversation part of the visit on video and then ask you to come in for the exam portion, or they may end the call and have their staff schedule the in-person visit for you.

Ask your provider before you hang up whether they want you to come in the same day, the next day, or within a certain timeframe. If you have symptoms that need urgent evaluation — severe pain, heavy bleeding, or signs of infection — tell your provider immediately so they can prioritize getting you in quickly or direct you to urgent care or the emergency room.

After the appointment: prescriptions, follow-up, and next steps

Your provider will send any new prescriptions directly to your pharmacy or give you instructions on how to pick them up. Ask before the appointment ends where the prescription will be sent, and confirm your pharmacy's name and phone number. If you need a prescription refilled, ask whether it will be sent to your pharmacy or whether you need to pick up a paper copy from the office.

Your provider may schedule your next in-person visit before you hang up, or their staff will call or email you within one business day with appointment options. If you need lab work or imaging before your next visit, ask whether the office will send the order to you electronically or whether you need to pick it up in person.

If you have questions after the visit, contact your provider's office during business hours. Most OB/GYN offices have a nurse line where you can leave a message, and a nurse will call you back within a few hours. Do not wait to reach out if you develop new symptoms or if a medication doesn't seem to be working.

When an online visit is not the right choice

Do not schedule an online visit if you're having severe pain, heavy vaginal bleeding, signs of infection (fever, chills, foul-smelling discharge), vision changes, severe headache, or chest pain. Go to the emergency room or call 911 instead. If you're pregnant and think you might be in labor, call your OB/GYN's office or go to the hospital — do not start a video call.

Online visits also don't work if you need a pelvic exam, Pap smear, breast exam, ultrasound, or any other physical test. Your provider will not be able to examine you through a screen, and you need these tests for your health and safety. If you're not sure whether your visit requires an exam, call your provider's office and ask before you schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do an online visit if I'm pregnant and haven't had an ultrasound yet?

No. Your first prenatal visit always requires an in-person appointment so your provider can do a physical exam, take your full medical history, and usually order an ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy and due date. After that first visit, some follow-up appointments can be done online, but you'll still need regular in-person visits for exams and ultrasounds throughout your pregnancy.

What if my internet cuts out during the appointment?

Try to reconnect immediately using the same link or app. If you can't reconnect within a minute or two, call your provider's office from your phone and let them know. They may reschedule the visit for later that day or the next day, or they may continue the conversation by phone instead of video. Have your provider's phone number saved before the appointment starts.

Do I need to undress or prepare my body in any special way for an online visit?

No. Wear comfortable clothes as you normally would. Your provider cannot examine you, so there's no need to prepare as if you were going to the office. If you're discussing a specific body concern, you can describe it to your provider, but you won't need to show anything on camera.

Can I have someone else in the room with me during the appointment?

Yes, if you want to. A partner, family member, or support person can sit with you during the visit. Let your provider know at the start of the call if someone else is present. If you need to discuss something privately, you can ask the other person to step out or schedule a separate call with your provider.

Will my online visit be recorded or saved?

Your provider's office may record the visit for quality assurance or medical record purposes, but they will not share the recording without your permission. Ask your provider's office about their recording policy before the appointment. Your medical information is protected by privacy laws, and the video platform should use encryption to keep your conversation secure.