HealthTap is a US telehealth service that lets people ask doctors questions online and book video or text consultations with licensed physicians. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many clinics limited in-person visits, services like HealthTap became a practical way to get medical advice from home, and virtual care has remained part of how many Americans see a doctor since.
This article explains what HealthTap offers, how it and telehealth in general were used during the pandemic, where virtual visits work well and where they fall short, and how to get the most out of an online consultation.
What is HealthTap?
Healthtap was founded in 2010 in California and started as a platform where members of the public could post health questions and get answers from a network of US doctors. Over time it expanded into virtual primary care, offering scheduled and on-demand appointments by video or secure messaging. It has also offered a symptom checker and a large library of doctor-written answers to common questions.
HealthTap has generally offered a free tier, which gives access to doctor-answered questions and basic tools, and paid membership or per-visit options for live consultations. It has positioned itself as an affordable option, including for people without health insurance. Plans, prices and state availability change over time, so check the current details on HealthTap’s own site before you sign up.
How the COVID-19 pandemic changed telehealth
Telemedicine existed long before 2020, but it was a small part of American health care. Insurance coverage was patchy, Medicare mostly restricted virtual visits to rural areas, and many patients had never tried one. The pandemic changed that almost overnight.
- Clinics limited in-person visits to reduce infection risk, so routine and non-urgent care moved online.
- Federal rules were relaxed. Medicare temporarily allowed telehealth visits from patients’ homes anywhere in the country, and enforcement of some privacy rules on video platforms was eased so doctors could use common tools.
- Private insurers expanded coverage of virtual visits, often at the same cost as office visits for a period.
- Patients got used to it. Many people found a video visit for a minor issue more convenient than a waiting room.
Established online services such as HealthTap already had the technology and doctor networks in place, so they were well positioned when demand rose. They were used for questions about COVID-19 symptoms, whether to get tested, when to seek emergency care, and for everyday issues people did not want to bring to a crowded clinic.
How a HealthTap-style virtual visit works
The steps are similar across most telehealth platforms:
- Create an account and complete a health profile (medications, allergies, conditions).
- Describe your concern, sometimes with a symptom checker first.
- Choose a text consultation or video visit, either on demand or scheduled.
- The doctor reviews your history, asks questions and, where appropriate, gives advice, orders lab tests, sends a prescription to your pharmacy or refers you to in-person care.
- You get a visit summary and can usually message the care team afterward.
What virtual doctors can and cannot handle
Telehealth works best when a diagnosis can be made from your history, what you describe and what the doctor can see on camera. It struggles when a physical exam, imaging or urgent treatment is needed.
| Often suitable for telehealth | Usually needs in-person care |
|---|---|
| Colds, flu-like symptoms, sinus problems | Chest pain or trouble breathing |
| Simple urinary tract infection symptoms | Signs of stroke (face drooping, weakness, speech problems) |
| Rashes, acne and minor skin concerns | Serious injuries, broken bones, deep cuts |
| Allergies | Severe abdominal pain |
| Medication questions and some prescription refills | Conditions needing a hands-on exam, imaging or procedures |
| Reviewing lab results; follow-ups for stable chronic conditions | High fever in infants |
| Mental health check-ins and therapy | Any situation that feels like an emergency |
In an emergency, call 911 rather than opening an app. A good telehealth doctor will tell you when a problem needs an in-person visit, and that referral is part of the service working as it should.
Advantages of online doctor services
- Convenience: no travel, parking or waiting room, and often evening or weekend availability.
- Lower exposure risk: you are not sitting next to other sick patients, which mattered especially during COVID-19 surges.
- Access: helpful for people in rural areas, those with mobility problems, caregivers and shift workers.
- Cost: virtual visits are often cheaper than urgent care or the ER for minor problems, and some services offer self-pay options for the uninsured.
Limitations to keep in mind
- No physical exam: a doctor cannot listen to your lungs or press on your abdomen through a screen.
- Continuity of care: seeing a different doctor each time can mean nobody has the full picture, so share records with your regular physician.
- Prescribing limits: some medications, particularly certain controlled substances, have extra federal and state rules for telehealth prescribing.
- Technology barriers: you need a reliable internet connection and a device with a camera, which not everyone has.
- Licensing: doctors generally must be licensed in the state where you are located at the time of the visit, which can limit who you can see.
HealthTap compared with other ways to see a doctor online
HealthTap is one of several routes to virtual care, and the right one depends on your insurance and how you prefer to be treated:
- Your own doctor’s practice: many primary care offices and health systems now offer video visits through their patient portal. This keeps everything in your existing medical record and is usually billed to insurance like an office visit.
- Insurer-provided telehealth: many health plans include a virtual care service, sometimes with a low or zero copay. Check your plan documents or member app.
- Direct-to-consumer services: platforms such as HealthTap offer memberships or self-pay visits, which can suit people without insurance, those between plans, or anyone who wants quick answers without waiting for an appointment.
- Specialty platforms: some services focus on one area, such as mental health, dermatology or women’s health. For care built around women’s specific needs, see our piece on personalized women’s healthcare.
Privacy and security of online consultations
Telehealth providers that work with doctors are generally covered by HIPAA, the federal law that protects health information. The temporary easing of enforcement during the pandemic, which let doctors use everyday video apps, has ended, so providers are again expected to use secure, compliant platforms. Before you share details, read the service’s privacy policy, use a private network rather than public Wi-Fi, and be cautious with health apps that are not connected to a medical provider, since many of those fall outside HIPAA.
Telehealth after the pandemic
The public health emergency for COVID-19 ended in May 2023, but virtual care did not disappear. Use settled below the pandemic peak and then stayed well above where it was before 2020, with mental health care being one of the most common uses. Some Medicare telehealth flexibilities have been extended several times by Congress rather than made permanent, and rules on remote prescribing have also been revisited, so coverage details can change. If you rely on virtual visits, confirm what your insurer or Medicare plan currently covers.
Many practices now offer a mix of in-person and online appointments. That hybrid model is also changing how clinics reach patients; our article on what a healthcare marketing agency does and why your practice needs one looks at that side of the shift.
Tips for a better online consultation
- Find a quiet, private, well-lit spot and test your camera and connection beforehand.
- Write down your symptoms, when they started and what makes them better or worse.
- Have your medication list, recent readings (temperature, blood pressure) and pharmacy details ready.
- If the doctor orders labs, ask where to go and how you will get results. Our guide to things you should know about blood testing explains how to prepare.
- Ask what warning signs mean you should seek in-person or emergency care.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own symptoms, and call 911 in an emergency.
Frequently asked questions
Is HealthTap free?
HealthTap has offered a free tier with access to doctor-answered questions and basic tools, while live video or text consultations usually require a paid membership or visit fee. Check its website for current plans.
Are HealthTap doctors real, licensed physicians?
HealthTap says its consultations are with US-licensed doctors. As with any telehealth service, you can ask for your doctor’s name and look up their license with your state medical board.
Can an online doctor prescribe medication?
Yes, for many common conditions, if the doctor judges it appropriate. Some controlled substances have additional telehealth prescribing rules, and doctors may decline to prescribe without an in-person exam.
Did telehealth use drop after COVID-19?
It fell from its 2020 peak but settled at a level well above pre-pandemic use, especially for mental health care and follow-up visits.
When should I not use a virtual doctor?
Skip the app and call 911 for chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke symptoms, severe injuries or anything that feels like an emergency.
