FILE - In this Jan. 14, 2019 photo, a patient sits in the living room of her apartment in the Brooklyn borough of New York during a telemedicine video conference with Dr. Deborah Mulligan. Telemedicine often involves diagnosing and treating a new health problem but is also used to keep tabs on an existing, long-term condition.
U.S. public health officials, hospitals and insurance companies are pushing people to try telemedicine for their allergies, earaches and other minor problems and skip the doctor’s office or clinic.The goal: Prevent the spread of coronavirus, especially to those who are most vulnerable, older people and those with existing health conditions.
Some telemedicine outlets also offer a version using text messages between a doctor and patient who may not actually speak to or see each other. Medicare coverage of telemedicine had been limited, largely to rural areas where patients had to go to specially-designated sites for their visits. Many Medicare Advantage plans run by insurers also provide access to telemedicine.Prices vary. But many insurance companies and other providers are temporarily waiving fees to push more people to use some virtual care.
Another company, 98point6, charges a $20 annual fee and then $1 for each visit. The company diagnoses and treats through secure text messaging.Sinus infections, bronchitis, the flu, asthma, pink eye or fevers are just a few examples. Telemedicine can handle a lot of care that would normally send patients to a doctor’s office or drugstore clinic.
Doctors also say there are some parts of an in-person visit that telemedicine cannot replicate. A doctor may spot additional health problems simply by noticing a change in a regular patient’s behavior or appearance.
Telemedicine is a great Resource for seniors with access to internet and know how to use FaceTime and Skype but rural area seniors are at a disadvantage. Please ask Medicare to waive the audio visual requirements for seniors to visit with docs by telephone
JaybeeStewee Telemedicine aka virtual medical visits is covered the same way office visits are for all large groups and ACA plans.
tracygreen I believe that Georgia Senator Loeffler also recommends using this platform as well.
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