Health Care Is Not What It Used to Be
Years ago, a visit to the family doctor was a simple procedure. When someone had a minor cough or a lingering rash, a quick appointment and maybe a bit of medication was easy to get. However, healthcare in America has changed in the 21st century.
Today, visiting the doctor is no longer a simple task. Many family physicians shuttered their doors because of insurance companies. Even large practices have a hard time fitting in too many last-minute appointments. While Urgent Care centers have become pseudo-doctors for many, they cost nearly twice as much as a regular MD. And forget about seeing a specialist. Waitlists for specialties like dermatologists extend to six months or more in many places.
Indeed, receiving quality, convenient medical care has become a nearly impossible task these days. What’s more, people located in rural areas or those who lack decent insurance coverage must also consider access and affordability alongside simple convenience.
A Modern Solution
Unlike a traditional visit to an office or clinic, virtual doctor visits put convenience and cost-effectiveness back into modern healthcare. Also known as telemedicine, through this model of care, patients located in diverse areas with diverse needs can access a doctor 24/7. Those with certain health plans can get affordable urgent care. It’s even possible to see a specialist on your own timetable.
However, if you are considering seeing a virtual doctor for your own healthcare needs, it is important to understand both its benefits and limitations. You need to consider key questions, such as:
- What can you expect from a virtual MD?
- Which patients are best served by this practice?
- And, finally, how much does it cost?
Virtual Doctor Visits: The Basics
If you are new virtual doctor visits, rest assured, they are not too different from your typical appointment. Services such as Teledoc, MDLive, and Doctor on Demand are not too different than a typical clinic. These docs just come to you (virtually) rather than you traveling to them. Whether through an insurance-sponsored plan or through private online virtual doctor portals, you prepare for a virtual appointment just like you do with your regular physician. Some virtual doctors ask for detailed histories. Some doctors may actually be or be associated with your regular physician or office.
Virtual doctor visits take place in one of two ways: video chat and text message. Utilizing question and answer strategies as well as visual examination, these doctors treat minor and routine issues just like a live MD. They address everything from allergies and the common cold, to ear infections and rashes. Patients might need to use a camera to either take still shots or video. When it comes to exams, doctors may ask you to feel your own lymph nodes, for example, to check for swelling.
Because the issues they treat are routine and mostly symptom-based, when these doctors need to prescribe a course of treatment or medication, it’s easy. Once you get a diagnosis, virtual doctors usually send prescriptions digitally to your local pharmacy.
Why Virtual Doctor Visits Help Patients and Employers
For busy patients and their employers, the convenience of virtual doctor visits are pretty clear. It’s easier to fit a telemedicine appointment into your schedule, since many virtual doctor visits take place immediately, or within a short waiting period. As a result, many employers choose insurance companies, like Anthem and UnitedHealth, which allow for virtual visits in their plans. Employees can utilize virtual doctors to reduce time off of work due to illness, as well as maintain a better work-life balance.
These advantages are increasing, too. Companies like Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. have started working with with insurers to support and expand these services. In fact, Walgreens introduced a smartphone apps and online portal this year that they hope reaches some 450,000 patients.
Virtual Doctor Visits Allow You Easy Access to Specialists
Though its new to many of us, virtual doctor visits started out years ago as a solution for rural patients who needed to see a specialist. Today, the convenience of using a virtual doctor, and the abundance of doctors available, extends this benefits to urban populations as well.
Now, you can address routine dermatological problems, for example, right away – while a rash is still present. In addition, busy people or those located in rural areas have access to mental health services via virtual doctor. In fact, regular therapy sessions from home help patients to stick with a treatment plan as well as access emergency mental health services 24/7.
The Drawbacks of Virtual Doctor Visits
Like any innovation, there are drawbacks to consider if you are thinking about using a virtual doc. For starters, this type of medical care is extremely limited in scope since a physical examination is not possible. Therefore, for this physical therapy or examination, it’s better to get in touch with experts who provide occupational therapy Cary NC. Long-term care for major medical issues like Alzheimer’s or cancer, cannot be safely conducted through virtual visits either.
Regardless of their illness, it is also important for patients who use a virtual doctor to follow up on any acute issues with their regular physician. There are also barriers when it comes to tests and getting results to virtual MDs. Finally, virtual doctors cannot prescribe lifestyle drugs, such as Viagra, and controlled substances and only some states allow these visits at all.
All in all, the best way to utilize a virtual doctor is to stick to the basics. Use a virtual doctor when you have a simple problem, such as a cold, and need a simple medication, such as an antibiotic. If you need therapy or mental health services, virtual doctors can be a real lifesaver as well.
So, Can Virtual Doctors Save You Money?
Depending on your insurance plan and time, the option for virtual doctor visits can be a really cost-effective way to manage your health. For patients whose insurance companies cover it, a virtual doctor visit may be free, or only cost the same as you copay for your regular doctor. Even private services only charge around $50-$60 for a virtual visit. As a result virtual doctor visits are a good option for the underinsured, since they are much less expensive than paying out of pocket at a doctor or Urgent Care.
The key is knowing when using a virtual doctor is the right choice for you and following up with an in-person visit when needed.
