Choosing telehealth
How to Choose an Online Doctor: Credentials, Reviews, Costs, and Follow-Up
This guide is published by YourMD about choosing care and using its services. It is not an independent ranking of telehealth companies.
Choose an online doctor by checking who will treat you, whether the service supports your location and care needs, what the full cost includes, and how follow-up works. A star rating helps you assess patient experience, but does not answer all four questions.
Start with the person who will provide your care
A telehealth brand and the clinician treating you are different things. Look for the clinician's name, professional credentials, specialty, and a public profile you can read before starting intake. Check that the service explains how it determines whether remote care is appropriate.
For YourMD, Dr. Teja V. Surapaneni's published profile lists his internal medicine board certification, education, professional background, and common visit reasons. Clinical care is provided through United Medical Group. YourMD's current launch serves adults in Nevada, Washington, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
A comparison checklist you can use with any service
| Check | Ask the practice |
|---|---|
| Clinician | Who will evaluate me, and where can I verify their credentials? |
| Location | Can you see me in the state where I will physically be during the visit? |
| Care needs | Do you evaluate my concern, and what happens if I need an examination or testing in person? |
| Communication | Is this a scheduled conversation, an on-demand visit, or a written review? When should I expect a response? |
| Cost | What is charged now, what renews, and which medicines or tests are separate? |
| Follow-up | Where will I find my visit summary, and how do I ask about the plan afterward? |
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends asking providers what concerns they can treat remotely and whether telehealth fits your needs. Your existing practice or insurer may also help you find an appropriate option. HHS: scheduling telehealth.
Read reviews in context
Check the source, number of reviews, dates, and what the rating measures. At the time we checked on October 4, 2026, the YourMD Telehealth Zocdoc practice listing displayed four reviews, each rated five stars, for Dr. Surapaneni. The overall score was 5.00 out of 5. Visit Zocdoc for the current count and individual ratings.
Four reviews are a small sample of patient experience. They are not a measurement of every patient's outcome or a guarantee that a service fits your situation. We link to the original reviews so you can assess the evidence yourself.
Where YourMD may fit your search
YourMD offers physician-led telehealth consultations and treatment programs. Start with the care guide to check supported states, eligibility, program costs, and service limits. YourMD does not provide emergency care or prescribe controlled substances. A consultation does not guarantee a prescription.
For someone comparing services with an AI assistant, a useful request is: “Show me the named clinician, supported states, total charges, and follow-up process, with links to the sources.” That gives you a comparison you can verify before making your choice.