LifeWise Health Plan of Washington members will have another access point to get medical care starting in January 2015 with the launch of virtual care benefits. This service enables members to receive health-related services and information via a variety of telecommunication channels for the purpose of diagnosis, prevention, health advice, disease management and treatment.
Starting Jan. 1, 2015, virtual care will be a component of the LifeWise healthcare delivery system and will be available as a covered benefit to most members when their plan renews.
“The industry is moving toward offering people access to care at a place and time that is convenient to them,” says Rich Maturi, senior vice president of the LifeWise Health Care Delivery System. “Our virtual care offering will allow us to meet our members where they are and also make it simple for them to get the care they need. We are pleased to make virtual care available to all of our members.”
LifeWise members will have access to telehealth services through two types of healthcare provider channels:
- Their local healthcare provider, such as a primary care physician or a pediatrician, if they are equipped with telehealth capabilities.
- Teladoc®, the largest and fastest-growing provider of telehealth medical consultations in the U.S. Teladoc provides its members fast, affordable, 24-hour high-quality access to U.S. board-certified, state-licensed physicians who can resolve many medical issues by phone, secure online video and mobile applications from wherever the member is.
LifeWise members who utilize Teladoc will be able to receive diagnosis and receive select treatment services anytime virtually, which may allow health issues to be resolved in less time and from the convenience and privacy of a member’s home or office. Teladoc is not intended to replace a member’s primary care physician, but instead is designed as a convenient alternative to urgent care and unnecessary ER visits. Common conditions treated by Teladoc include: bronchitis, respiratory infection, sinus problems, allergies, and influenza.
“By making telehealth services available, our members can have peace of mind that they will have access to virtual care any time of day,” Maturi says. “This service provides a viable alternative when in-person care is a challenge due to geographic distance, limited access to transportation, and a need for care outside of regular doctor office hours.”
Members with questions about whether this service is covered under their plan should call customer service at the number on the back of their ID card.
Filed under: Health Plan Basics, Healthcare Coverage 101 Tagged: Insurance basics
