With the COVID pandemic, telehealth and telemedicine have seen a significant uptick in usage as people seek care from their homes. For those who have Medicaid insurance, finding telehealth providers that accept Medicaid is no longer the challenge it once was.
COVID-19 brought about a huge increase in the use and popularity of telehealth care.
In this blog post, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to find telehealth providers that accept Medicaid coverage.
Ready to learn more? Watch the video below or keep reading.
What are Telehealth Services?
Telehealth services are health care services provided remotely, usually over the phone or through a video call. Examples of telehealth services include primary physician visits, mental health counseling, tele-vision services for the elderly and disabled, tele-nursing, telerehabilitation, home telemonitoring of chronic diseases such as diabetes or congestive heart failure, and telemedicine.
What is Telemedicine?
Telemedicine is the use of telehealth services to provide healthcare remotely. It usually involves a doctor and patient communicating over the phone or video, with the doctor providing medical advice and treatments without being in the same room as the patient.
How Does Telemedicine Work?
Telemedicine is similar to regular health care services, but it’s done remotely through a virtual visit using a Telehealth platform app.
Patients will contact the telemedicine provider with their symptoms and concerns. The telemedicine provider will then ask questions and conduct a medical exam via audio or video teleconferencing.
This allows the telemedicine provider to assess the patient’s health and make a diagnosis. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment can be prescribed, such as a prescription medication or telehealth therapy.
Telemedicine can also be used for follow-up visits after an in-person visit. This allows the telemedicine provider to monitor a patient’s progress and provide additional care if necessary.
What are the Benefits of Virtual Visits vs In-Person Visits?
Receiving virtual care from a physician over an in-person visit to a doctor’s office has many benefits.
- No sitting in a doctor’s waiting room – appointments are scheduled online and done in the comfort of your home
- You can save time and transportation costs by getting to and from the appointment. This is especially helpful in rural areas that would require a long commute.
- 24/7 access – Many telehealth services have in-network providers available 24 hours a day.
- Have prescriptions sent to your local pharmacy or delivered to you, even on weekends.
- Easy access to specialists through the app’s doctor and nurse resource portal
- No need to take time off from work since you can schedule an appointment around your needs
How Can Medicaid Members Set Up Telehealth Services?
Check with your Medicaid insurance provider if they offer free or reduced co-pays for telehealth and telemedicine services.
You will need a mobile device to connect with your provider’s telehealth app. While phone calls are available, more doctors require you to have a smartphone or tablet for the telehealth visit because they can better diagnose your health issue with a video call.
Your Medicaid Qualifies You For Free Mobile Service
Did you know as a Medicaid recipient you are eligible for the Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) from the Federal Government? Through these programs, you can eliminate your cell phone bill and have all the data you’ll need for any telehealth medical care you may need.
When you sign up and qualify for these programs with EASY Wireless, we’ll give you:
FREE Unlimited Talk, Text, and Data.
You never have to worry about running out of data when talking to your doctor during a virtual appointment.
How Much Does a Telehealth Appointment Cost?
In-Network Providers
Each state’s Medicaid members’ plans will be different but most will not charge a co-pay for telemedicine visits. Check with your insurance provider for exact details on how telehealth services are covered under Medicaid.
Out of Network Options
For those not on Medicaid or outside your insurance network, you can still use one of the Telemedicine apps and set up low-cost telehealth visits to receive care for non-emergency health issues.
Does a Telehealth App Cost Money?
Most telehealth apps are free to download. Your provider can help set you up on the platform they prefer.
Some common apps include:
These apps will link to your insurance and tend to have lower co-pays (if any) than in-person visits. You can also make payments through the app as needed.
What are some of the common issues that can be covered with a telehealth visit?
- Flu
- Fever
- Cough
- Allergies
- Upper Respiratory Infections
- Pink Eye
- Behavioral Health Needs
- Urgent Care
TeleHealth is the Future of Convenient Low-Cost Medical Care
Telehealth services are an increasingly popular way to receive health care from the comfort of your own home. For those with Medicaid insurance, telemedicine can be a great way to receive affordable care.
Be sure to check with your Medicaid provider to see what telehealth options are available, and take advantage of free mobile services offered by the Federal Government if you qualify.
With telemedicine, it’s now easier than ever to access quality health care from anywhere.
