Humana has teamed-up with MDLIVE to provide Humana Medicare beneficiaries with 24/7 virtual access to doctors in select counties in Georgia and South Carolina.
Initially, the benefit will be available to certain Medicare Advantage plans offered for the 2017 plan year. Those who choose plans with this benefit will be able to access doctors through their PC/Mac, smartphone or tablet for a wide range of non-emergency medical conditions, such as cold and flu, headaches and skin infections, with an applicable co-pay for each visit.
On the other end of the line, patients will find MDLIVE’s network of board-certified physicians who consistently manage to achieve high patient satisfaction scores. However, it is worth adding that telehealth is not meant to be used for emergency situations or chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, and does not replace an in-person visit with a primary care physician or other provider. Also limitations on healthcare and prescription services delivered via telemedicine vary by state.
With the member’s consent, Humana utilizes its clinical data technology to ensure individual health records are available to MDLIVE medical professionals and the MDLIVE clinician’s prescribed treatment is shared with the member’s primary care physician.
“Video and telephonic visits allow our members to receive health care when and where they need it so we can help them achieve their optimal health,” Humana’s Regional Medicare President Jim Laughlin said in a statement. “For Medicare beneficiaries, getting care when it’s needed may be able to help reduce hospitalizations and emergency room visits.”
People with Medicare may select these plans during the annual Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan enrollment period, which runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2016. Those selecting a plan with this option will be able to start using the benefit Jan. 1, 2017. In the meantime, Medicare beneficiaries living in Georgia and South Carolina who are interested in utilizing MDLIVE should visit Humana-Medicare.com to research these plans and learn more about the offering.
MDLIVE has previously collaborated with other payers, including Cigna and Independence Blue Cross, and is also offering telemedicine services through Skype for business and the Walgreens app.