Virtual health care in Michigan

In today’s benefits advisor blog, we’ll briefly touch on the types of virtual health care and how each of the primary health insurance carriers in SW Michigan are providing solutions. Virtual health care is primarily provided via internet video visits (and phone to a lesser extent) with health care professionals.  The care can be provided by your personal physician or physician’s office, more like a traditional office visit, just virtually vs. in-person.  It can also be provided through your health insurance carrier or a separate third party.  Virtual health care can be used to treat non-emergency physical issues such as allergies, bites and stings, fever, headache, sore throats, colds, cough and flu, as well as various infections such as eye, ear, pink eye, etc.  More recently, virtual health care can also be used for behavioral, mental health and substance abuse issues such as anxiety, depression, addiction and chronic or acute issues that occur. Many of our employee benefits clients in the Kalamazoo and SW Michigan area use BCBS/BCN, Priority Health or United Healthcare as their insurance carriers.  Below is a little information about the virtual health care solutions from each.  If your health plan is with a different medical carrier or is self-funded, please be sure to ask about the availability and details of virtual health care with your employer. BCBS/BCN:  BCBS (PPO) and BCN (HMO and POS) partnered with Teladoc effective January 1, 2024.  More information here: https://www.bcbsm.com/find-care/virtual-care Priority Health:  Priority Health uses their own Corewell Health providers if seeking services in Michigan.  Outside of Michigan, services are provided by MDWell.  More information here:  https://www.priorityhealth.com/member/getting-care/virtual-care United Healthcare (UHC):  More information here:  https://www.uhc.com/member-resources/health-care-tools/telehealth-virtual-care/virtual-visits The cost of virtual health care is often the same cost, or often lower, than in-person care, and certainly less than an Urgent Care or ER.  Obviously, the details of these programs vary, and you should always check with your employer and/or insurance carrier for the specific details of your plan.  Virtual health care can be a great option to save time and money and is a helpful tool for those needing quick access to physical or mental health care!