Telehealth gives you access to your provider from home

Just as new digital technologies enable many Americans to work remotely, telehealth (sometimes called telemedicine or virtual visits) makes it possible to have quality healthcare available to you online. In a 2020 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of telehealth visits increased by 50% in the first quarter of 2020, compared to that same period the year before.¹ Moving forward in a post-pandemic world, telemedicine can play a significant role in improving the delivery of quality healthcare.

Let’s face it, even before the pandemic, getting a same-day visit with your doctor wasn’t easy—especially during flu season. Of course, you could make a trip to a walk-in/urgent care clinic, but that might be a pricey proposition. Talk about sticker shock! But if you suddenly wake up with a scratchy cough, runny nose, sore throat or just feel achy, is there another medical option?

With telehealth, you can quickly consult a medical professional, right from the comfort of your couch. Telemedicine can provide 24/7 access to a board-certified physician to get you the medical care you need, online or over the phone. In short, a virtual visit could be the next best thing to an old-fashioned house call.

What is telehealth?

Telehealth can connect you with a doctor online who treats nonemergency medical issues, such as diagnosing infections or managing chronic pain. These virtual visits are convenient, safe and confidential. Depending on your Humana plan, the average copays for most telehealth services are $0–$56.*

Telehealth can provide quality medical care when:

• Your primary doctor or healthcare provider is unavailable.
• You have an urgent medical issue after normal business hours.
• You’re debating going to an urgent care facility for a non-life-threatening issue.
• You’re traveling and in need of immediate medical care.
• You’re looking for a quick refill.

You can access Humana’s telehealth services using a computer, tablet or smartphone. Telemedicine allows you to speak to a doctor over the phone or via video chat, plus send/receive secure messages and exchange files.

On its website, the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) reported that telemedicine can help doctors remotely monitor certain medical issues, such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. Providers can use telehealth to write e-prescriptions as well.² According to the HRSA, these virtual visits can also assist patients with physical and occupational therapies, diagnose skin conditions, and treat common symptoms like migraines, stomach aches and more.³

And what about seniors? According to AARP, over 10 million Medicare recipients have used telehealth options over the past few years.⁴ In 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reported that the number of healthcare services that Medicare beneficiaries could receive via telemedicine had more than doubled.⁵

What services does Humana’s telehealth options cover?

Humana’s plans with telehealth benefits provide patients with access to virtual resources for many physical and mental health issues, plus dental care as well. For more information, sign in and select Telehealth from the MyHealth drop-down menu or call our Customer Care department at the number listed on the back of your Humana member ID card. The coverage’s cost and copays will depend on the specific plan you’re enrolled in.

Humana’s telehealth services are just what the doctor ordered

If you’re a Humana member, you can connect with a board-certified provider using Doctor On Demand®. You can also download the Doctor On Demand app from Apple® or Android™ devices.† Get 24/7 access to doctors, therapists and other medical professionals in your area anytime, anywhere.

Got a sudden toothache and need to see a dentist right away? Teledentix® is the quick and painless way to locate a qualified in-network telehealth dentist in your area. Teledentix is also accessible on your smartphone, using the Apple or Android app.

You can also search for a provider using Find a doctor. After you select a lookup method, choose Specialty as your search category and enter “telehealth” or “virtual care” in the Name, specialty, condition field. This will show you in-network telehealth providers.

Preparing for your telehealth visit

To be good-to-go for your first telehealth session, you’ll need a smartphone, computer or tablet that has video and internet capabilities. That’s it! For more telehealth preparedness tips, refer to this handy guide from the HRSA.

At the end of your virtual visit, you might need a prescription. No problem. As Humana’s mail-order pharmacy, CenterWell Pharmacy™ can fill your prescription quickly. Your prescriber can send an e-prescription directly to us or forward the prescription to you, so you can fill it yourself at a retail pharmacy. Some states have limitations on e-prescriptions, so contact your local healthcare provider for more details.

CenterWell Pharmacy is always here for you

When you refill your prescriptions with CenterWell Pharmacy, you’ll enjoy the convenience of managing all your medications in 1 place, which can save you multiple trips to the drug store. You may even save money by ordering a 90- or 100-day supply of eligible medications (compared to the cost of a 30-day supply from a retail pharmacy).‡ Then get your prescriptions delivered safely and securely, right to your door. When you fill prescriptions with us, you can track your order online, refill your medications without signing in and receive automatic refills for eligible prescriptions.

If you’re a Humana member and want to refill a prescription online, visit the CenterWell Pharmacy sign-in page. You can also call us at 800-379-0092 (TTY: 711), Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 11 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Eastern time.

Sources

1. Lisa M. Koonin et al., “Trends in the Use of Telehealth During the Emergence of the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, January–March 2020,” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (October 30, 2020): 69(43);1595–1599, accessed Dec. 27, 2022, doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6943a3.
2. “What is telehealth?” U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration, last accessed Dec. 27, 2022.
3. “What is Telehealth?”
4. Deborah Pike Olsen, “Getting Your Telehealth Appointments Covered by Medicare,” AARP, last accessed Dec. 27, 2022.
5. “Getting Your Telehealth Appointments Covered by Medicare.”

Disclaimers

* Copays vary by plan.

† Data use charges and rates from your cellular carrier may apply.

‡ Some plans may have supply limitations. Consult your plan documents.

Other pharmacies may be available in your network.

Doctor on Demand is not available in Puerto Rico or outside the United States.

Limitations on telehealth services, also referred to as virtual visits or telemedicine, vary by state. These services are not a substitute for emergency care and are not intended to replace your primary care provider or other providers in your network. Any descriptions of when to use telehealth services are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Please refer to your evidence of coverage for additional details on what your plan may cover or other rules that may apply.

This communication provides a general description of certain identified insurance or non-insurance benefits provided under one or more of Humana's health benefit plans. Humana's health benefit plans have exclusions and limitations and terms under which the coverage may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of the coverage, refer to the plan document or call or write your Humana insurance agent or the company. In the event of any disagreement between this communication and the plan document, the plan document will control.