I couldn't afford a web cam either. My phone is a smart phone but I've never been able to Skype or Facetime with it. I haven't heard one way or the other about this except my case manager said I can call her if I have issues. I think its a little rediculous that your pdoc thinks seeing a choppy image is going to make the appointment go any better- in fact, it may just be distracting and take from the appointment in general.