Telehealth Services Available Now for Medical Help

In an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the CDC has encouraged people to consider the use of telehealth services. You likely have more options for telehealth than ever as many local health care providers are adding those services to support social distancing. There are also many companies dedicated exclusively to telehealth services.

Our team has rounded up many telehealth options to help you find the best virtual medical option to manage your health during this time.

Medicare Expands Coverage of Telehealth Services

In response to COVID-19, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has lifted restrictions that limited Medicare coverage and access to telehealth resources. Medicare will now pay for telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person visits. The waiver was issued in an effort to allow higher risk populations to speak to health care providers while self-isolating. For more information on Medicare coverage of telehealth services, visit Medicare.gov.

1. MDLIVE

MDLIVE allows you to connect with a doctor, psychiatrist or dermatologist through any smart device such as phone, video, or mobile app.

• Pricing for each virtual care visit is as follows:
  • Urgent Care Consultation: $75*
  • Counseling: $99*
  • Psychiatry: $259* for one time visit/ $99* for follow up appointments
  • Dermatology: $69*

*Pricing may be lower depending on your insurance coverage. Check directly with your insurance provider to confirm pricing for your individual health care plan.

Coronavirus Support: MDLIVE has a direct portal to assist patients who have questions or concerns related to COVID-19. MDLIVE offers a starting price of $75 for an urgent care televisit.

2. Teladoc

Teladoc is a comprehensive telemedicine platform that offers medical help in the

following areas

• Urgent Care/Everyday Health: Access to urgent care doctors, family doctors or a dermatologist for specific health flare-ups.
• Pediatric Care: Pediatricians available 24/7 with expert opinions and a specialist directory if needed.
• Mental Health: Access to a therapist or psychiatrist and other members of the mental health community to find a plan right for you.
• Wellness/Prevention: Access to nutritionists and other wellness services to keep your daily life in great shape.

Teladoc costs and services vary depending on your health insurance coverage. You can set up a free account to determine what your specific costs would be under your health care plan, or call your insurance provider.

Coronavirus Support: Teladoc’s coronavirus announcement offers quick facts on the virus and a direct link to sign up to their platform to speak with a virtual doctor immediately. Doctors are on call 24/7 for all your questions.

3. Doctor on Demand

Doctor on Demand offers flat-fee pricing for those who are uninsured and works with select insurance providers for those with active health care plans.  Doctors are available 24/7 (including nights and weekends) for virtual visits. Doctor on Demand offers medical advice for the following specialties:

• Urgent Care: For medical instances where you need to talk to a doctor immediately
• Behavioral Health: Includes chatting with psychiatrists or psychologists based on your mental health needs.  You can take a free assessment before connecting with a mental health professional.
• Chronic Care: Support in managing daily needs and questions for anyone who is actively managing a chronic health condition.
• Preventative Health: These wellness visits include smoking cessation, labs & screenings, diet & nutrition, and other ways to keep your health top of mind daily.

Coronavirus Support: Doctor on Demand offers a separate landing page addressing coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns.  You can use their quick COVID19 medical assessment to determine if you might have coronavirus symptoms and how to protect yourself in your community.

4. amwell

amwell’s platform allows you to connect with a doctor using any smart device such as phone, computer or tablet. Amwell also offers a mobile app for faster interaction with a health care provider. Once you enroll, you can select the health care provider that works best for you based on amwell’s list of available doctors.  amwell offers doctor support in the following areas:

• Urgent Care
• Therapy
• Psychiatry
• Breastfeeding Support
• Cardiology
• Dermatology
• Nutrition Counseling
• Pediatrics
• Physical Therapy
• Women's Health

amwell works with many health insurance plans and depending on your specific plan will determine what you will pay for your online visit.  Be sure to check with your insurance to determine if amwell is covered under your health care plan.

Coronavirus Support: amwell announced at the beginning of the month their commitment to utilizing telehealth services as the first line of defense to stop the spread of COVID-19. The public can check for ongoing webinars and updates to what the company is doing for COVID-19 education.

5. Ascension

With locations across more than 20 states, Ascension is a well known health care system. You might not know that they include virtual visits as part of their offerings.

Coronavirus Support: Ascension is opening up its virtual medicine options to anyone to help keep the community healthy and limit the risk of coronavirus spread.  Use CODE: HOME for a $20 Ascension virtual chat, valid throughout the month of March.

If you believe you have symptoms of COVID-19, you can call their direct line at: 833-978-0649

6. Doctegrity

Texas-based Doctegrity provides Primary Care and Behavioral Health support. The platform is membership-based and does not charge a copay. Membership tiers are as follows:

• Individual plan: $20/month
• Couples: $35/month
• Families: $45/month

7. Heal

Heal is a telehealth platform that allows patients to schedule a house call visit with a doctor in their area. Check to see if a heal provider is available in your area before booking an online appointment. Heal works with various health care plans and also offers a flat fee of $159 for those without insurance.

Coronavirus Support: For COVID-19 concerns, Heal is offering patients the option to chat online to discuss symptoms or concerns before determining whether an at-home doctor visit is needed.

8. iclinic: The Virtual Hospital

iclinic consists of 3500+ medical doctors and 80+ specialists available for online chat. Patients can submit questions directly to a doctor of their choice and follow up with the same doctor for consistency.  You can either _Video Chat, Phone Chat or Text Cha_t with a doctor directly through the  virtual clinic. The iclinic subscription program allows you to chat with doctors per two packages:

• For 100 hours of unlimited chat: $49.99**
• For 50 hours of unlimited chat: $29.99**
• iclinic also offers medical advice directly over the phone. Fee starts at $29.99 for a 20-minute consultation

** Pricing begins once the doctor has begun interacting with a patient via chat. Packages are prepaid and deplete as minutes are used.

9. MyRemedy

MyRemedy offers both virtual care and same-day house calls from a health care provider (locations may vary).  You can schedule a virtual visit or a same-day appointment by signing up to become a member.

• Your health care insurance will determine your copay or out of pocket cost to utilize their service, be sure to check with MyRemedy directly to determine your eligibility. You could pay $0 for on-demand video chats depending on your insurance plan.
• MyRemedy also works with those who are not insured for a flat fee of $49 for on-demand video calls with a doctor and $199 for a same-day house call.

There are additional virtual health care options focused on mental health needs. You can find our round up of the most popular ones here and determine which option is best for you.

1. e-Psychiatry e-Psychiatry connects you with a licensed therapist or psychiatrist through the convenience of a phone or video visit. Health care providers offer therapy and medication to treat all mental health and substance use conditions. Medications can also be delivered to your door within days. After your visit, you can securely message your provider with any questions regarding ongoing treatment. e-Psychiatry accepts most insurances and all self-pay patients. Examples of conditions their team treats: Stress & Anxiety Depression Bipolar Disorder Drug & Alcohol Use PTSD & Grief ADHD OCD

Stay Focused on Your Health During COVID-19

Many health care providers, including therapy offices, are turning to virtual chats to stay connected with their patients during this time. You also have options when it comes to telemedicine. If you feel sick or need to speak with a doctor, services such as the one we’ve pulled together are a great place to start.