Teladoc ?

[RickNC]

Anyone heard of this or used it? I got it in the morning mail from Blue Cross. It claims 24/7 telephone access to a doctor for diagnosis and if necessary prescription treatment of minor medical issues. Sounds like a good deal for those of us on the road. Cost for me is my office visit deductible.

[rent]

It’s basically useless. The kinds of illness they are able to “diagnose” via video chat are basically the ones you probably know how to treat using over the counter meds. Otherwise, they will just send you to see a real doctor for further evaluation.

[twogypsies]

If you could get a prescription for even simple things like a rash or bronchitis, it would be worth a try while traveling.

[Gary RVRoamer]

It's hard to imagine a doctor diagnosing much of anything without at least getting BP and pulse plus a general look at the patients physical appearance. That suggests a video call and some basic meter equipment. That seems like only the most rudimentary things diagnosed and OTC remedies suggested. A primary care physician doesn't do much more on an office visit, though.


It seems to me a more workable method would be something like urgent care centers, staffed with RNs or PAs to run through a basic work-up and then a video conference with a doctor or senior PA to confirm the diagnosis and suggested actions.


I know that some people aren't comfortable unless they see a doctor, so maybe this fills the bill for them.

[jacwjames]

Our insurance provider offers the same service. My wife has used and did get a prescription, I don't think there was much of a cost if any.

[Daverene]

I use it threw my work for colds ect when i need a script for simple stuff

[Bobby F]

My father has used it several times while traveling. He gets bronchitis frequently, and sometimes it progresses to pneumonia. Now, when he starts to feel the familiar chest-gurgle, he calls in, and after a quick discussion he runs to the nearest pharmacy (wherever he is) where his antibiotic prescription awaits him.


He says it's a lifesaver. He used to endanger himself because it was a pain to get in to see a strange doc in a strange place, and so he never could start the meds quickly enough to head off trouble.

[RickNC]

Thanks for the replies. Looks like it might be a good alternative to finding urgent care centers on the road or even having to beg a next day appointment with my primary for minor medical issues here at home. I don’t get sick very often, but when I do it usually is respiratory and often ends up in bronchitis. Looking again at my plan. The co-pay is $10 vs $20 for an office visit.

[puttin]

We have Kaiser- they've always had this feature. Although I can talk to my doctor, I usually just need a nurse/practitioner. They have access to your health history and can prescribe things from there. This has been great for me and my family. But, Kaiser is only available in Ca, Hawaii, and a couple of other states.

[DRM901]

It is a pretty common feature in most insurance plans now. Here is a good article on when it is most useful. https://www.consumerreports.org/doct...online-doctor/