Quick note: This guide focuses on the digital setup of telehealth services. We are not a legal department, and each healthcare practice should determine which forms are required based on their specialty and local regulations.
If you’re setting up telehealth services from a website perspective, you may also want to read our guide on how agencies and developers can help clinics add telehealth services to their practices.
Telehealth services have become a normal part of healthcare delivery. Clinics now offer virtual consultations, follow-up visits, therapy sessions, and remote check-ins using video calls.
But before a provider can meet a patient online, there’s something important to check off the list:
The forms.
If you’re a developer, agency, or healthcare practice preparing to launch telehealth services, understanding which forms are required can save time and prevent compliance issues later.
The good news is that most telehealth workflows rely on a small set of secure online forms, and many practices can start with just a few, or even one form.
This guide walks through the most common forms used when launching telehealth services.
Why Telehealth Forms Matter
From a technical standpoint, telehealth visits are simple: a provider, a patient, and a video call.
However, healthcare providers must still collect the same information they would gather during an in-person visit.
That usually includes:
- patient consent
- intake information
- medical history
- contact and emergency details
- follow-up documentation
In a digital environment, these are typically handled through HIPAA-Compliant online forms that patients complete before or after the visit.
For agencies and developers, this is where most telehealth setup work happens.
The Essential Telehealth Forms
Most telehealth practices rely on a core set of forms that manage patient consent, information collection, and communication.
While the exact requirements vary by specialty and state, the following forms appear in most workflows.
1. Telehealth Consent Form
The telehealth consent form is usually the first form a patient completes.
This document confirms that the patient agrees to receive care through telehealth services and understands how remote healthcare works.
A telehealth consent form typically includes:
- acknowledgment of virtual care
- explanation of potential risks and limitations
- privacy and HIPAA information
- electronic signature
From a digital perspective, the consent form should be:
- mobile-friendly
- easy to read
- electronically signed
- securely stored
- HIPAA Compliant
Many providers combine this form with their patient intake form, especially for first-time visits.
If you’re creating one for a healthcare website, you can also explore our page how to build a telehealth consent form that works on any device and remains HIPAA-Compliant.
2. Patient Intake Form
The patient intake form collects basic information about the patient before the appointment.
This information helps providers prepare for the telehealth visit.
Typical intake questions include:
- name and contact information
- insurance details
- medical history
- current symptoms
- medications
- allergies
For telehealth visits, intake forms are often submitted online before the video call begins.
This allows providers to review patient information ahead of time and spend more time on care during the appointment.
3. Medical History Questionnaire
Some specialties require a more detailed medical history questionnaire before the telehealth visit.
For example:
- mental health providers
- dermatologists
- hormone therapy clinics
- telehealth prescription services
These forms allow providers to gather structured information related to the patient’s condition.
They may include:
- symptom checklists
- health assessments
- lifestyle questions
- screening tools
These questionnaires are usually embedded within the intake process.
4. Telehealth Appointment Request Form
Some clinics allow patients to request telehealth appointments directly through a form.
This form typically collects:
- preferred appointment time
- reason for the visit
- contact information
- preferred telehealth format
- online payment link
5. Telehealth Follow-Up Forms
After the visit, some providers send follow-up forms or surveys to collect additional information.
These may include:
- treatment feedback
- symptom updates
- patient satisfaction surveys
- prescription follow-up questions
Follow-up forms help providers track patient progress without requiring another appointment.
6. Optional Forms Some Telehealth Practices Use
Depending on the type of practice, additional forms may be required.
Examples include:
Insurance Information Forms
Some clinics collect insurance details before the visit to simplify billing.
Telehealth Payment Forms
Providers may request payment before the appointment through a secure payment form.
Consent for Recording or Telehealth Technology
Some practices ask patients to acknowledge the technology used during telehealth sessions.
Not every practice requires these forms, but they can help streamline workflows.
How Many Forms Do You Actually Need to Start?
One common misconception is that launching telehealth requires a large, complicated system.
In reality, many practices start with just three forms:
- Telehealth consent form
- Patient intake form
Once those are in place, providers can expand their telehealth workflow over time.
For example, they might later add:
- patient surveys
- automated follow-ups
- specialty questionnaires
- e-payments
Starting small is often the easiest way to launch telehealth services.
Making Telehealth Forms HIPAA-Compliant
Because telehealth forms collect protected health information (PHI), they must be handled securely.
A HIPAA-Compliant form typically includes:
- encrypted data transmission
- secure form hosting
- access controls
- audit logs
- a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA)
Many website builders and generic form tools are not designed for healthcare data, which is why telehealth providers often use a HIPAA-Compliant form builder.
This allows providers to safely collect patient information while keeping the telehealth workflow simple.
Telehealth Forms Should Be Mobile-Friendly
A large percentage of telehealth patients complete forms on their phones.
For this reason, telehealth forms should be:
- responsive on mobile devices
- easy to complete quickly
- clearly structured
- visually consistent with the clinic’s website
Forms that are long, confusing, or poorly designed can create friction before the appointment even begins.
Telehealth Starts with the Right Forms
Launching telehealth services doesn’t require complex infrastructure.
Most telehealth workflows begin with a small set of well-designed online forms that help providers:
- collect patient information
- obtain consent
- prepare for appointments
- communicate securely
Once those forms are in place, scheduling tools and video platforms become much easier to integrate.
For agencies, developers, and healthcare providers alike, telehealth forms are usually the first step in building a smooth telehealth experience.
If you’re helping a client launch telehealth services, the easiest place to start is often a secure telehealth consent form and patient intake workflow that works on any website.
Telehealth Forms – Frequently Asked Questions
Most telehealth services require a telehealth consent form, a patient intake form, and a method for scheduling or requesting appointments.
Still have questions? Contact us