Gov. Greg Abbott is giving temporary approval to expanded means of telemedicine so as to support social distancing during the pandemic. Patients have been using phone calls and video conferences to obtain routine medical care without going to the doctor's office. Under Abbott's new order, phone calls to new patients can be used for diagnosis, treatment, prescriptions, and ordering tests. The order also allows the use of FaceTime calls for telemedicine purposes until the state disaster declaration expires or is lifted.