Telehealth Services: A Permanent Shift in Healthcare Delivery

The Benefits of Teladoc for You and Your Family

Teladoc, the Pension Boards’ telehealth service partner, has become essential for basic care in many households. Although telehealth is not a new concept, the use of telehealth has grown tremendously in recent years. In fact, telehealth has become a fundamental and permanent shift in healthcare delivery, especially after its surge during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As more and more people become accustomed to virtual care, telehealth utilization continues to rise. For Highmark plan participants, Teladoc offers 24/7 virtual healthcare with $0 copay, covering non-emergency conditions such as colds, flu, sinus infections, and allergies. However, this basic approach to healthcare is rapidly evolving and a few developments are shaping its future that you and your loved ones should be aware of.

A Significant Shift Towards Mental Health Care

One such evolving trend is the significant shift to focus more on mental health care within telehealth. When contacting Teladoc, adults and adolescents can receive virtual counseling from psychologists, therapists and psychiatrists for concerns such as anxiety and stress, negative thought patterns, depression, marriage and relationship issues, trauma and PTSD, mood swings and much more. Appointments are available 7 days a week, and you can participate in a virtual visit in the most private and comfortable setting of your choice.

telemedicine mother and child

Chronic Care Management

Greater focus on chronic care management is another trend in the virtual healthcare evolution. Telehealth is increasingly used for chronic conditions and Teladoc allows members to receive dermatology treatment and care for acne, eczema, psoriasis and other chronic skin-related concerns. You can call for a temporary quicker skin check or ensure you have longer term care for a more chronic skin condition. The convenience and accessibility of remote consultations for chronic conditions is a trend that serves the needs of patients well and will continue to grow.

“I’m so grateful for the convenience of Teladoc. When my son was sick over the holidays, our pediatrician’s office was closed, but Teladoc was able to diagnose strep throat virtually with a few photos. They sent a prescription to our local pharmacy and my son was back to feeling great within 24 hours. We didn’t even need to cancel any of our plans with family!”

Jennifer, Ohio

Skip the Waiting Room — Access Medical Care from Anywhere

Teladoc is a great resource and it offers a multitude of benefits that cater to modern healthcare needs. It provides the convenience of accessing medical care from anywhere, eliminating the need for travel and reducing time spent in waiting rooms.

telemedicine older couple

This model of healthcare is particularly advantageous for those with mobility issues, chronic conditions, or those living in remote areas where healthcare access may be limited.

Telehealth also plays a crucial role in controlling infectious illnesses by minimizing patient exposure to others, thus protecting both patients and healthcare workers. It allows for more efficient appointments and can lead to cost savings on transportation and other related expenses for you. Additionally, a seamless data exchange between the Teladoc platform and electronic health records ensures continuity of care.

Teladoc remains committed to continuing to improve your experience and, provided you have our Highmark medical coverage, you have this great benefit available to you for a $0 copay!

A cold, the flu, or a bout with depression or anxiety never announces its arrival. Take action today and have a go-to plan in place. View this flyer to sign up with Teladoc and to download their app. For questions, call us at 1.800.642.6543.


Marie
Marie Myers, MEd, is Manager of Health Plan Operations at the Penson Boards, responsible for assisting members and employers with health plan questions and concerns. Prior to joining Pension Boards, Marie worked as a Manager of Member Services for United Healthcare. She has over 20 years of experience in health insurance, education, and management and cares deeply about ensuring people have a good understanding of their healthcare coverage and services available.