This is a sponsored post with Mums the Word Network and Amwell. All opinions are my own.
Amwell is a site that offers Telemedicine Services. This type of service is somewhat new to most people that I know, but we are in the throes of Open Enrollment for our insurance coverage right now, and this IS a service that is included in our program for the upcoming year.
While everyone’s medical insurance is different, and I can only speak to my own, I think it’s important to remind everyone to carefully review their plans, so they know what services are available and covered in network, and which are not. Our company is really making an effort to provide as many types of services as possible, because they want people to be pro-active in getting medical care right away when it’s needed, so issues don’t escalate into larger problems. Under our insurance plan, it is only slightly more expensive to use Telemedicine than to see the Primary Care doctor, but significantly less expensive than our other options. I love that we have this ability because so often our primary care is booked full early in the day, and anyone healthy usually ends up coming home with some virus they picked up in the waiting room. Having the ability to see a doctor immediately, from the comfort of our home, really appeals to me.
Even without insurance, an Amwell Telemedicine Visit costs just $49! That is an amazing price. A dear friend of mine has no insurance, because the Affordable Care Plan they were eligible for in their state was astronomical. She had to take her daughter to the doctor for an ear infection, and the bill was over $400, just to be seen. I sent her a coupon code to try Amwell for a follow up repeat infection, and she was so thankful to save so much money.
Once you select a doctor who is online, you let them know if the visit is for you, or your child, and fill in any appropriate information about the patient. Next, it takes you to a medical history form, so you can let the doctor know about any other medical issues you may have that might affect the issue you need to be seen for, or in my case, what medications are safe to take. I take a medication that doesn’t play well with certain other medications, so my doctors always have a difficult time finding a medication that is appropriate for my condition, but that won’t cause negative side effects. Antibiotics are challenging.
You progress through the system, meet with the doctor to be evaluated, and then if you require medication you let them know which pharmacy you prefer so they can send it over electronically. Finally, you complete payment for the session. My doctor also followed up a few days later to make sure my condition was improving, and I wasn’t having any complications with the medication, which was greatly appreciated!
My plan doesn’t cover telemedicine – not yet. I think it is a wonderful idea, when we were kids, the doc often came to your home esp if you were really ill. This is more like the old days, not having to go out in the cold when you are sick in bed! and cost effective!