Telemedicine at Seattle Children’s

Telemedicine visits at Seattle Children’s require a MyChart account because it helps us protect your privacy. Once your appointment is scheduled, you will be able to find it in your MyChart account and, when it is time, you can check in for your appointment and finish any paperwork that may be needed before your appointment. You can also use MyChart to send questions or other messages to your child’s care team.

Sign in to MyChart

Need an account? Sign up here.

If you have questions or need help with singing up for a MyChart account, please call 206-987-4444.

The Seattle Children’s app makes it easier for you to access your telemedicine visits and keep track of your appointments by connecting to your MyChart account. Download the app.

Your visit will take place over a safe and secure version of the Zoom application. Download the Zoom application to the phone, tablet, or computer you plan to use for your visit.  

If you already have Zoom, make sure you have the latest and most up-to-date version of the app.

Once your appointment has been scheduled, your MyChart account or email will receive a link for your telemedicine appointment. Follow the link to get to the Zoom website. You will then be prompted to download the Zoom software to use on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. This software is free to use and you do not need to create your own account.

After downloading the software, you will follow the prompts to complete setting up your account. Below are some screenshots of how this might look on a computer or smartphone.

Enter your preferred first and last name.

The next prompt will ask you how you’d like the audio (sound source) for the meeting to be connected. It is best to connect by computer or the audio on your tablet or smart phone.

The tool bar at the bottom of your screen should look like this. You may have to hover your mouse over the screen on your computer or tap the screen on your phone to get this toolbar to appear.

• Make sure you can sign in to your MyChart account.
• Check your e-mail for additional information or instructions from your clinic. Some clinics may send pre-appointment forms and other paperwork through your email. Make sure that we have the correct email on file and check it so you don’t miss any instructions or questions.
• Write down any information you might need for your appointment, such as your child’s list of current medications, allergies, and any questions you want to ask your provider.
• If you need access to internet or need a device to do your Telemedicine visit, please contact your care team for eligibility requirements.

• Start with your camera at eye level
• Be in a private room with the patient with the door shut to prevent interruptions
• Plug in the device you are using during your visit to save battery
• Check the lighting to make sure it is not too dark, and the provider cannot see you or too bright and you are washed out
• Restart your device prior to the Video Visit
• Turn off your screensaver. If the device goes to sleep, it can disconnect from the internet and disrupt the video visit.
• Close any other programs or applications running on the device you are using to connect to your provider
• If using a Wi-Fi connection make sure you are close to the router
• If video is poor using a Wi-Fi connection, try connecting through ethernet from the modem/router to the device. You may have to ask others in your home to stop streaming video or gaming online.
• Download the latest version of Chrome or Firefox
• Know your back up plan in advance and have this document with you during the visit
• If you hear an echo, try the following:
  • Turn down the volume to 25%
  • Use a headset
  • Use a different device

Just like a regular clinic appointment, your insurance will be billed for the services provided during your telemedicine visit. The bill will include an administration fee that covers hospital expenses for a telemedicine visit that is separate from the cost of the medical provider. You will receive a separate charge from your medical provider for their services.

For more information about billing, read the handout About Your Bill – Telemedicine (also available in Spanish).

Yes. We use a version of Zoom that is secure and complies with the rules of HIPAA so that your privacy and rights will be protected. Your photo and voice will not be recorded or stored after your visit.

Follow the usual process of scheduling an appointment by calling 206-987-2000 or finding the clinic you need from this list. If your appointment should be virtual, we will schedule you for a telemedicine visit.

An active MyChart account is very strongly recommended for attending a telemedicine appointment.  This helps us ensure that our patients’ privacy is protected and that all pre-appointment paperwork is completed accurately. However, for patients and families who are unable to get or use MyChart, our team can coordinate a telemedicine appointment via email. Please make sure that your clinic has a current and secure email address on file for you.

You do not need to create a Zoom account, but you will need to download the Zoom application to your device. Follow these instructions to download Zoom and set up and account if you so choose. Once you have downloaded Zoom to your device, you do not need to do it again.

Zoom is a free service for our patients. There is no cost or account required to use this service.