Telehealth & Virtual Visits in Spanish Fork

What Conditions Can Dr. Oldham Treat by Telehealth?

Dr. Oldham uses telehealth visits for conditions that can be evaluated through visual assessment and patient history without a hands-on physical exam. Common telehealth-appropriate conditions include medication refills and dosage adjustments, chronic disease follow-ups (diabetes, hypertension, thyroid), anxiety and depression check-ins, ADHD medication management, rash evaluation (with photos), urinary tract infection symptoms in patients with a known history, cold and flu symptom assessment, lab result reviews, and pre-visit consultations for new concerns.

Dr. Oldham evaluates each telehealth request to determine whether the concern can be safely managed virtually or whether an in-person visit is needed. Conditions that typically require an office visit include chest pain, abdominal pain that needs palpation, joint injuries requiring range-of-motion testing, new heart murmurs, and any symptom that needs point-of-care testing (rapid strep, urinalysis). The front desk helps patients determine the appropriate visit type when they call to schedule.

How Does Dr. Oldham Conduct a Telehealth Visit?

Dr. Oldham conducts telehealth visits through a HIPAA-compliant video platform that the patient accesses from a smartphone, tablet, or computer. The office sends a link before the appointment, and the patient connects from any private location with a stable internet connection. Dr. Oldham follows the same visit structure as an in-person appointment: he reviews the patient’s chart, asks about current symptoms and medication changes, discusses lab results if applicable, and updates the care plan. The visit is documented in the same EHR used for in-person visits, which means the telehealth encounter becomes part of the patient’s permanent medical record.

Patients should prepare for a telehealth visit the same way they would for an office visit: have a list of medications nearby, write down questions in advance, and sit in a well-lit, quiet room. For skin concerns, he asks patients to take clear photos and upload them before the visit so he can review them at full resolution. For chronic disease follow-ups, he asks patients to have their home blood pressure readings or glucose logs available during the call. That preparation makes the virtual visit as productive as an in-person encounter.

How Does Dr. Oldham Use Telehealth for Mental Health Follow-Ups?

Dr. Oldham uses telehealth extensively for mental health follow-ups, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD medication management. Mental health check-ins are well suited to video visits because the evaluation relies on conversation, validated screening tools (PHQ-9, GAD-7, ASRS), and behavioral assessment rather than a physical exam. Dr. Oldham administers the screening questionnaires during the video visit, compares scores to prior visits, adjusts medication dosages, and discusses behavioral strategies. Patients who find it difficult to take time off work or arrange childcare for an in-person visit benefit from the flexibility of a 15-to-20-minute telehealth check-in that fits into a lunch break.

Dr. Oldham schedules initial mental health evaluations in person because the first visit requires a more detailed assessment, but follow-up visits for stable patients on established medication regimens work well by telehealth. He alternates between in-person and virtual visits based on the patient’s needs: a patient whose anxiety is well controlled may do three telehealth follow-ups for every one in-person visit, while a patient adjusting to a new medication may need more frequent in-person assessments during the titration period.

Can Dr. Oldham Prescribe Medications During a Telehealth Visit?

Dr. Oldham can prescribe most medications during a telehealth visit, including antibiotics, blood pressure medications, thyroid medications, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and ADHD stimulant medications. Utah telehealth regulations allow physicians to prescribe controlled substances via telehealth when an established patient-physician relationship exists, which means Dr. Oldham can adjust ADHD medication doses or refill controlled prescriptions during a video visit for patients he has previously seen in person. New patients requesting controlled substances must be seen in person for the initial evaluation per the practice’s prescribing policy.

Prescriptions are sent electronically to the patient’s preferred pharmacy during the telehealth visit, just as he would during an in-person appointment. If the medication requires lab monitoring (e.g., thyroid function for levothyroxine, A1c for diabetes medications), Dr. Oldham orders the labs electronically and the patient can complete them at a nearby lab draw station before or after the visit. That workflow eliminates the need for a separate office visit for routine medication management in stable patients.

How Does Telehealth Compare to an In-Person Visit With Dr. Oldham?

Who Is Eligible for Telehealth Visits With Dr. Oldham?

Dr. Oldham offers telehealth visits to established patients who are physically located in Utah at the time of the visit, per Utah medical licensing regulations. New patients must complete an initial in-person visit at the Spanish Fork office before scheduling telehealth follow-ups. Patients who have moved out of state need to establish care with a provider licensed in their new state, though Dr. Oldham’s office can help transfer medical records to the new provider. Minors must have a parent or legal guardian present during the telehealth visit, just as they would for an in-person appointment.

Telehealth works well for Spanish Fork patients who commute to Salt Lake County or Provo for work and struggle to get to the office during business hours. A 15-minute telehealth visit during a lunch break is more practical than a 90-minute round trip for a medication refill. Telehealth also benefits patients with mobility limitations, parents with young children at home, and patients recovering from surgery who are not yet comfortable driving.

Does Insurance Cover Telehealth Visits With Dr. Oldham?

Dr. Oldham bills telehealth visits under the same E&M codes used for in-person visits, and most of the 30+ insurance plans accepted at the practice cover telehealth with the same copay as an office visit. Utah state law requires commercial insurers to cover telehealth services at the same rate as in-person services when the service can be appropriately delivered via telehealth. Medicare covers telehealth visits for established patients under current CMS guidelines. The front desk verifies telehealth coverage when the appointment is scheduled and notifies the patient of any expected cost difference.

Dr. Oldham notes that some high-deductible plans apply telehealth visits to the deductible before coverage kicks in, just as they would for in-person visits. Patients without insurance can ask about self-pay telehealth rates, which are typically the same as self-pay rates for an equivalent in-person visit.

How Do I Schedule a Telehealth Visit With Dr. Oldham?

Frequently Asked Questions About Telehealth