Telehealth Care: When and Why You Should Use It
7 Minutes
Team Curative
Jan 3, 2023
Telehealth is still considered a recent development in the grand scope of medicine but has quickly become a staple of the doctor-patient experience due to the rapid changes needed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even more groundbreaking is the emergence of virtual visit urgent care, which allows patients with urgent non-emergency situations to access a certified doctor quickly and from the comfort of their homes. Knowing that there is a reliable, around-the-clock team of doctors who are available to virtually tend to a variety of medical needs can greatly relieve the stress of getting care.
Through Curative’s partnership with NormanMD*, patients with the Curative Health Plan can gain access to telehealth care without having to make an appointment in advance. Within an average wait time of 10 minutes, members can get connected to a certified doctor in the NormanMD network, who will be able to provide virtual diagnosis and treatment.
But how does virtual urgent care work, exactly? When and why might you need to use it? And is telehealth typically covered by insurance during an urgent health situation? Find the answers to these questions and more below.
When is Telehealth Necessary?
Doctors offer telehealth options to patients who may not be able to visit their medical professionals. Virtual visits are a popular option for those with accessibility needs, COVID-19 safety concerns, financial restrictions, or urgent medical conditions that cannot wait for a trip to the doctor’s office. Some simply do not have the time for an in-person appointment and need a more accessible option. Virtual urgent care is available at any time for non-emergency urgent health concerns.
Some of the most common conditions that warrant an immediate telehealth appointment may include:
Symptoms of a cold, flu, or COVID-19
A sting or bite from an insect
Symptoms of a urinary tract infection
Skin rashes, infections, and blemishes
Mild to moderate pain in the back, arms, shoulders, or legs
An allergic reaction or seasonal allergies
Diarrhea and nausea that won’t go away after 24 hours
Earaches or an ear infection
Physical trauma or burns
This list is not exhaustive by any means. It’s important to speak with your doctor about getting treatment for your symptoms as soon as they appear. Curative members can also get connected with additional resources and contact information, so they have everything they need right at their fingertips.
Virtual urgent care can provide treatment for many symptoms and ailments; however, it is not a suitable option during a medical emergency. If you are experiencing a medical emergency or you have life-threatening concerns about your condition, please call 911 instead.
Why Utilize Virtual Visit Urgent Care? 3 Big Benefits
There are many ways that patients can take advantage of a wide range of health care options to suit their individual care needs. Virtual care offers flexibility and connection in an era of quickly changing needs. Now more than ever, members are looking for ways to simplify the health care process while receiving help administered with high levels of care.
Utilizing this kind of service adds convenience to the health care process in a number of ways:
1. No time spent in waiting rooms.
In-person visits to urgent care clinics may have you waiting in a shared room for hours, causing concerns over physical comfort and increasing the risk of spreading contagious infections. The CDC reports that less than 50% of urgent care patients are seen within 15 minutes at in-person clinics; virtual care appointments let you wait for care in the comfort of your own home.
2. More flexible opportunities for coordinated care.
Urgent care is always there when you need it, with telehealth appointments available to help patients make the most of their available health care options. Virtual urgent care visits offer treatment beyond just temporary or short-term care needs. Members who meet with their urgent care provider can instantly receive prescriptions and notes that will be sent to their primary doctors on file. Communication between physicians, pharmacies, and health care providers is quick and easy for members utilizing this method of care.
3. There are no copays for virtual care.
Through the Curative Health Plan and our partnership with NormanMD, members can receive virtual urgent care services with $0 copays and no upfront costs as long as they have completed their Baseline Visit for in-network coverage within the first 120 days of service.
Members can choose between video, audio, or text chat as your preferred method of communication with your doctor once you are connected in your free virtual urgent care visit. Get instant treatment with prescriptions delivered to your door, helping you receive the best of care without ever leaving the comfort of your home.
Is Telehealth Covered by Health Insurance?
Individuals who are not members of the Curative Health Plan, or who have not yet signed up for Curative through their employer may want to ask their current insurance agent about whether or not telehealth is covered by their health insurance. Trips to the emergency room - or even a local urgent care clinic - can cost hundreds of dollars for even the simplest treatment. It’s time for patients to receive more virtual telehealth offerings with transparent pricing and the advantage of access through a number of virtual selections.
Get 24/7/365 Healthcare From Home Today
Curative is partnered with independent and licensed medical providers to offer one of the area’s best and most dynamic health care services to residents of Austin. Our Virtual Urgent Care visits are available via telemedicine for eligible members within the NormanMD network of medical providers. It is easy to see a doctor online and schedule an at-home appointment whenever it is most practical for your schedule.
We guarantee 24/7 access to our virtual urgent care options, connecting you with a doctor in just 10 minutes. Whether you have sudden and immediate symptoms or you have suffered an injury and can’t leave your home, the convenience of virtual urgent care will save you a lot of hassle. Learn more about telehealth and find telehealth options near you.
*Healthcare provided through the NormanMD network of medical providers. Treatment options and eligibility determinations made by independent licensed medical providers.
Patients experiencing a medical emergency or who have concerns about their medical situation should call 911 (or the local emergency number) immediately.
NOT MEDICAL ADVICE: The information provided in this blog, is not a substitute for the advice of a personal physician or other qualified health care professional and does not constitute a diagnosis or professional treatment recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health care professional with any questions regarding medical symptoms or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Site. Curative hereby disclaims any and all liability to any party for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of the content, which is provided as is, and without warranties.
NOT LEGAL ADVICE: The information provided in this blog does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.
THIRD PARTY LINKS: This blog contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; Curative and its affiliates do not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
VIEWS EXPRESSED: The views expressed at, or through, this blog are those of the individual authors writing in their individual capacities only – not those of Curative and its affiliates. All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this site are hereby expressly disclaimed. The content on this blog is provided "as is;" no representations are made that the content is error-free.
Sign up for our Newsletter
Popular Articles
Primary Care Improves Outcomes: Why Affordable Health Insurance Companies Urge Prevention
MAY 28, 2024
Understanding the Impact of Stress on Mental Health and Overall Well-being
MAY 24, 2024
Does Insurance Cover Mental Health Therapy? How to Know if You Have Comprehensive Healthcare
MAY 23, 2024
Follow Us
