Illness never strikes at a convenient time. By the time you realize you’ve been hit, it’s 20 minutes before your doctor’s office closes or you’re just settling into a week-long beach vacation. While illness may not arrive on your schedule, treatment is little more than a telehealth visit away. After all, with a simple app download and an internet connection, you can visit “face-to-face” with telelhealth providers in a matter of minutes.
Telehealth has grown tremendously in the past decade. In 2009, the Obama administration passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and funneled millions of dollars into the health IT and telemedicine industries. Today, most insurance carriers, hospitals, and clinics offer e-visits and there are dozens of reputable apps that make seeing a doctor both easy and affordable. On average, you can be “seen” within a matter of minutes and many of these telehealth apps take insurance.
Take a moment and download these 5 highly-rated apps and have them ready the next time a fever strikes at 2:00 a.m. (on the weekend!)
Have a Look At These Top Telehealth Picks
With a robust list of accepted insurance plans and flat-rate pricing for those who don’t have coverage, Doctor on Demand is a solid choice when you’re feeling ill. From urgent care, chronic conditions, and preventative and behavioral health, there’s rarely an instance that this service can’t provide.
Talk Space is a specialty telehealth service for behavioral and psychiatric care. With a lack of accessible therapists and psychiatrists in the US, patients seeking care can often wait months for an appointment date. Within minutes of setting up a Talk Space account, patients can create a personalized profile that matches with providers based on their individual needs. What also sets Talk Space apart from other services is their fee structure – it’s a subscription-based platform that offers 3 levels of membership benefits.
Amwell weighs in as one of the most cost-effective options on the list. While some insurance policies are accepted, those who aren’t covered can visit with a provider for only $69.00. AmWell staffs a diverse group of physicians dedicated to caring for most all non-emergency visits.
While most telehealth apps boast that their doctors can prescribe during your e-visit, state regulations can slow down just how quickly you can fill your meds. If you live in a state with these restrictions, the provider you visit will actually need to work with a partnering physician within your state to have your medications dispatched to your pharmacy. Doc in a Box differs in that you can choose a doctor based on your location, thus speeding up the prescription process.
MD Live can treat over 50 health conditions and also offers mental health services, truly making it a one-stop shop. Web reviews for MD Live are overwhelmingly positive and their $75.00 consultation is still almost a hundred dollars less than the national average for an urgent or specialty care visit.
Telehealth offers quality and affordable care options for busy patients on the go. No matter if it’s day or night (on the weekend… and while you’re on vacation,) these apps can save you time and, in most cases, money as well. The next time you’re feeling feverish or seeking a second opinion, try one of these services – see why millions of Americans are making the switch!
NurseCore is a national leader in medical staffing and home care services. We are committed to exceeding the expectations of both our clients and employees, we specialize in connecting healthcare professionals, nurses, and caregivers with the medical facilities and home care positions in need of their expertise. NurseCore strives to relevant healthcare news, resources, and industry topics. Explore our blog and “like” us on Facebook!
0 Comments