Common Questions Asked About On-Call
Q. Is My Information Secure
A. Confidentiality is an important part of our Code of Ethics. We take your privacy very seriously. Laws are also in place to protect your privacy. Our platform is designed to be a private, secure, HIPAA-compliant platform that allows you to safely consult with one of our physicians or therapists online
Q. What is telemedicine?
A. Telemedicine is the practice of medicine utilizing either audio or visual communications skills.
It is a part of the telehealth system that uses internet and telecommunications technology, as video calls, to provide clinical services, as medical consultation, evaluation, and diagnosis, either in real time when the patient and the medical professional are in different locations or facilitated by remote monitoring and record sharing among healthcare providers : Rural patients may find that the only way for them to see a specialist is via tele
Q. What conditions can be treated through Telemedicine.
A. A partial list of urgent care issues includes
- Colds and Flu
- Diarrhea
- Infections
- Insect Bites
- Pharyngitis
- Conjunctivitis
- Rashes
- Respiratory Infections
- Sinusitis
- Skin Inflammations
- Cellulitis
- Sore Throats
- Sprains & Strains
- Bladder Infections
- UTIs
- Sports Injuries
- Vomiting
Virtual Healthcare services are also available for Primary Care Physicians to provide on going care to patients with Chronic conditions. Conditions such as diabetes, high blood, pressure, high cholesterol etc. Annual physicals can be done by telemedicine as well with labs done through an outside lab. Prescription drug coverage and discounts included. Each telemedicine provider is different. Many just recommend GoodRX. Our plan includes true prescription coverage plan.
Q. Are there pro’s and con’s to telemedicine
- The Pro’s are
In most cases, telemedicine is a net benefit. It expands access to quality patient care, especially to regions and underserved populations that need it the most. It provides a way to cut down on healthcare spending and engage today’s connected patient. It has the potential to change the healthcare delivery model for the better.
Telemedicine offers More accessible, convenient healthcare for patients is the driving force behind the telemedicine field. Telemedicine was originally developed in the U.S. as a way to address care shortages, especially in remote rural areas. Now telemedicine is used around the world, whether it’s to provide basic healthcare in third-world countries or allow an elderly patient with mobility issues to see the doctor from home. Telemedicine has the power not only to break down typical geographical barriers to care access, but to make the entire healthcare delivery model more convenient to patients.
- Saves on Healthcare costs
The U.S. spends over $2.9 trillion on healthcare every year, more than any other developed nation. On top of that, an estimated $200 billion of those costs are avoidable, unnecessary spending. Telemedicine has the power to cut our healthcare spending by reducing problems like medication non-adherence and unnecessary ER visits, and making typical doctor visits more efficient.
- Extends access to consults from specialists
With telemedicine, a medical practice or hospital system can immediately expand access to niche medical specialists. This makes it easy for primary care doctors to consult medical specialists on a patient case, and for patients to see a needed specialist on a rare form of cancer, no matter their location. As another example, small hospitals without adequate radiology specialist on-staff can outsource evaluation of x-rays via telemedicine.
- Increasing patient engagement
Today’s patient lives in an increasingly connected world and expects a different kind of care experience. Telemedicine engages patients by allowing them to connect with their doctor more frequently, in a convenient way. That means more questions asked and answered, a stronger doctor-patient relationship, and patients who feel empowered to manage their care.
- Better quality patient care
Telemedicine makes it easier for providers to follow-up with patients and make sure everything is going well. Whether they’re using a more extensive remote patient monitoring system to watch the patient’s heart, or doing a videochat to answer medication questions after a hospital discharge – telemedicine leads to better care outcomes.
The Con’s of Telemedicine are
Some telemedicine models may reduce care continuity.
Telemedicine companies that are consumer-facing offer the huge benefit of on-demand care for patients. A sick patient can simply login online and request a visit with one of the telemedicine company’s doctors and get treatment. But this model, similar to the retail health movement, can lead to a breakdown in care continuity. A random doctor who doesn’t know the patient, doesn’t know their whole medical history. The best approach to telemedicine? Providing tools to providers to easily connect with their own patients.
- May reduce in-person interactions with doctors
Some critics argue that online telemedicine interactions are impersonal, and physical exams are often necessary to make a full diagnosis. If more patients are resorting to online interactions in place of in-person visits, what effects will that have?
In-person patient-doctor visits are clearly valuable and necessary in many circumstances. However, Telemedicine physicians on the average spend more actual time with the patient identifying their needs than their counterpart in a facility that has a schedule which only allows a set amount of time. Telemedicine is best used to supplement these office visits. For minor acute conditions (like infections), an in-person visit with an established patient is often not needed. In those cases, telemedicine can save the patient, the doctor, and the healthcare system time and money.
Q. What is the cost of coverage?
A. Your monthly membership fee for our Virtual Urgent Care program is a flat $17.95 per month for a family of 8.
Our Virtual Primary Care membership is $64.95 per month for a single and $79.95 for a family.
Q. Why should I have and use the telephonic counseling portion of the Virtual Urgent Care program?
A. The service provides confidential, unlimited consultation, counseling and referral service for members including:
- 24/7 availability to master level counselors
- No co-pay or fee to the member.
- Immediate crisis support.
- Comprehensive problem assessment and resolution.
- Supportive counseling and subsequent sessions.
- Education.
- 100 percent follow up with original counselor
- Custom referral, if needed, to medical behavioral health plans or local community resources.
Q. What are the reasons members use the telephonic counseling service?
A.
- It is our intent to provide the right care at the right time for the following reasons:
- Death of a loved One.
- Relationship Issues
- Parenting issues.
- Traumatic accident
- Major illness.
- Substance abuse
- Depression
- Stress and anxiety
- Workplace issues
- Change and Transition
- Financial Stress
- Any reason that causes concern.