Why you should use your medical plan's telehealth services

There are many reasons you're hearing a lot about telehealth—also called telemedicine—lately. Done primarily via the internet with your computer, tablet, or smartphone, telehealth lets a doctor provide care for you without an in-person office visit. It allows you to speak with a doctor by phone or video 24/7 for a diagnosis of minor, short-term issues such as allergies, migraines, pink eye, fever, or the flu.

Benefits of telehealth

Though in-person office visits may be necessary in certain cases, telehealth care has many benefits:

• Limited physical contact reduces everyone's exposure to COVID-19.
• Virtual visits ensure you get health care wherever you are located—at home, at work, or even in your car.
• Virtual visits cut down on travel, time off from work, and the need for child care.
• Virtual health care tools can shorten the wait for an appointment.
• Patients have increased access to specialists who are located far from their hometown.

How to access video visits

CareFirst members can access CareFirst Video Visit by going to carefirstvideovisit.com and creating an account (which is different from your CareFirst account); enter your insurance information from your CareFirst ID card when prompted. CareFirst Video Visit is also available as an app for your smartphone. Learn more from the CareFirst Video Visit FAQ.

EHP recently introduced Johns Hopkins OnDemand Virtual Care, a 24/7 virtual service provided through Teladoc. EHP members will receive care from either a Johns Hopkins Medicine or Teladoc provider, depending on availability and the state where the patient is currently located. Go to Johns Hopkins OnDemand Virtual Care to connect with a provider. Download the app from the Apple App or Google Play store.

Kaiser Permanente members must register at healthy.kaiserpermanente.org to get started using telehealth services.

Coverage for telehealth services

Telehealth visits and typical office visits are covered similarly by the insurance companies. For a CareFirst BCBS or EHP in-network telehealth visit through its app, you would pay a 20% coinsurance after the deductible up to a maximum amount. The BCBS maximum you would pay is $59, and the EHP maximum is $70.

See page 3 of the 2022 Faculty and Staff Medical Plan Coverage Comparison Chart to understand how your health insurance plan covers telehealth services.

Contact your medical insurance carrier with questions.