What is Telemedicine and How Do I Use It?

In the San Francisco Bay Area and around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has made going out in public a risky activity. Even routine doctor’s appointments have become difficult because you may be afraid of exposing yourself or your loved ones to germ-filled waiting rooms and doctor’s offices. If you are looking for a safer way to visit a doctor, then you should look into telemedicine.

Telemedicine , also known as virtual care and telehealth, is a fast, convenient, and affordable way to check-in with a doctor about your symptoms for non-emergency conditions. With telemedicine, there is no need to leave your home.

After you find a program that is covered by your insurance plan, you can call or video chat via phone, website, or app with a certified physician. A telemedicine doctor can even order tests or prescriptions for you. If the physician is unable to help you via virtual care, she can point you in the right direction for further treatment.

You may even be able to schedule a phone or video call with your current general practitioner or specialist. Be sure to call your doctor’s office and insurance company to see if your physician is offering covered telemedicine services. But in the case of an emergency or life-threatening illness, always seek immediate medical attention at an emergency room.

Telemedicine programs and services may vary depending on your health insurance carrier and plan. Access to telemedicine could even be a part of your hidden benefits in your health insurance plan. Below you can find California telemedicine services by various insurance companies. (Please note that this list may vary by state, is subject to change, and that you should always confirm with your broker and health insurance carrier that you are covered under your specific plan before booking an appointment.)

This list is by no means exhaustive so make sure to find out with your broker what telemedicine and telehealth options you may have under your plan.

In order to use many of these services, you have to create an account and log in with your health insurance carrier. You can find member registration links here.

Being sick is hard enough as it is, especially when you want to minimize further exposure to COVID-19. Telemedicine is another great option at your disposal to stay safe and to have your questions answered in a quick and convenient fashion.

We encourage you to call us today to make sure that you and your employees are covered in a plan. For more information on telemedicine services, email Dillon Castro at Dillon@aeisadvisors.com or call us at 650-348-6234.

Disclaimer: Any compliance or medical-related information in this blog is intended to be informational and does not constitute legal or medical advice regarding any specific situation. Should you require further compliance assistance or legal advice, please consult a licensed attorney. Should you require medical treatment, please contact a licensed medical physician. You should familiarize yourself with your available health insurance benefits before you may need them. In case of an emergency seek immediate medical attention and call 911.

By Wyatt Bland