Many of us could not imagine that the pandemic is taking this long and that we still experience an increase in Covid-19 cases. This, along with the most recent political events of the riots at the capital and economic uncertainty creating enormous stress on many Americans. If you feeling stress, please take advantage of the mental telemedicine/teletherapy feature offered by most insurance carriers.
During the COVID-19 crisis, all insurance carriers are offering improved telemedicine features so that Californians can access not only a doctor for their physical well-being but also for their mental health. Currently, most telemedicine services are free of charge. With the coronavirus affecting each one of us financially, physically, and mentally, we all could value speaking to a licensed therapist to get help dealing with this emotionally strenuous time. Telemedicine, the distribution of healthcare services and information electronically through mobile apps, websites, and over the phone, has increased in popularity dramatically. For example, Teladoc, one of the leading telemedicine providers, has more than twenty thousand virtual visits per day, twice as much as in the first week of March. Even after the eventual end to COVID-19, we will continue to see telemedicine fill in the gaps of traditional, face-to-face healthcare. Not only can telemedicine providers allow you to speak to a doctor about COVID-19 symptoms, but they can also answer questions about common ailments such as the flu, skin rashes, infections, cough, and sore throat. Many insurance carriers have realized the demand for mental health practitioners to relieve stress and improve the well-being of Californians is especially high. Some carriers offer a different telemedicine service for mental health than for physical well being. Below are links to each insurance carrier’s telehealth offerings.
Anthem Blue Cross – https://livehealthonline.com/ for medical, allergy, psychology and psychiatry
Oscar – free doctors on call through the mobile app, or website. Optum emotional support line- 866-342-6892 doctor on-demand, plus free risk assessment for COVID-19 at https://www.hioscar.com/covid19/risk-assessment-survey. Oscar also offers its members a free concierge team with four assigned care guides and nurses Tel 855-672-2755 and using the easy to use Oscar app
Kaiser – e-visit via https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/southern-california/get-care
Blue Shield – Teladoc – , call a mental health therapist through Teladoc or use Blue Shields mobile app
Health Net – Babylon for physical and mental health. Heal is available for PPO & EnhancedCare PPO members only.
UnitedHealthcare – Teladoc, American Well & Doctor on Demand for routine telemedicine, Optum for mental health – call 866-342-8962
LA Care – Teladoc & Beacon Health Strategies for mental health doctor on call – 877-344-2858
Molinacare – https://member.teladoc.com/molinamarketplace for virtual urgent care
You can also find alternative services to help you relax and keep a positive outlook. Oscar members are offered 40% discount for the mobile app Calm (normally $69.99 a year subscription) while Sanvello is offering free premium access during the coronavirus crisis.
To learn more about the available telemedicine services available to you through your health insurer, please contact us at info@solidhealthinsurance.com or at 310-909-6135. At Solid Health Insurance Services, we strive to assist our clients in finding the right health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care that meets both your budget and medical needs.