Have you considered Teladoc?
Teladoc Health Telemedicine is a telemedicine service that offers 24/7 access to a health care professional via phone, web, or mobile app. Teladoc Health is available to MSU employees and their dependents in the U.S. who are enrolled in an MSU health plan. Use Teladoc Health to get help for a wide range of routine, non-emergency conditions, such as colds and flus, bronchitis, allergies, pink eye, minor dermatology issues, and more. Eligible employees and their dependents who are over the age of 18 can also receive care for mental health needs such as depression, anxiety, grief counseling and addiction.
How Does it Work?
- Register before your first visit. Answer some questions online to identify yourself as an MSU employee and provide your medical history and pharmacy preferences. This is a one-time step to set up your log-in credentials for ongoing access and does not need to be done for every visit. If you’d like to register using the Teladoc App, just download the Teladoc app for Apple/Android by searching for “Teladoc” in the Apple store or Google Play. Or visit Teladochealth.com and click “Register now” in the upper right hand corner. You can also phone Teladoc at 1-800-835-2362 to have them text you a link to register.
- Request a visit with a doctor 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by web, phone, or mobile app. You’ll be asked to fill in a few details about why you are calling for the doctor to review before returning your call. You will usually get a call back from a doctor within the hour (though times can vary with volume).
- Answer when the doctor calls and consult with them from the privacy of your home (or wherever else you may be!)
If medically necessary, a Teladoc professional can even send a prescription right to the pharmacy of your choice anywhere in the U.S. And best of all there is no co-pay associated with accessing this service (except for employees and their dependents enrolled in the CDHP with HSA, who pay the full charge until their annual deductible is met due to IRS regulations).
Please note that Teledoc is not meant to replace your primary care provider who has an important role in helping you maintain your long-term health and wellness through things like annual wellness checks, helping you manage chronic conditions or quarterbacking care plans for serious conditions that may require coordinating care with specialists. It also cannot replace the emergency room for dealing with sudden serious injuries and illnesses requiring emergency care such as if you are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, stroke or are having an asthma attack. But if all you need is a quick, convenient conversation with a doctor for a routine minor illness and you want to avoid long waits for appointments or sitting in a waiting room full of sick, potentially contagious people, give Teladoc a try!