What to Expect for Your Telehealth Visit

Telehealth services allow you to connect with your doctors virtually to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on how we interact with others, including our health care providers. While some medical facilities have closed their doors altogether in an effort to curb the spread, others are providing telehealth services that still connect patients with their physicians to get the medical advice they need.

Christian health sharing can help with the cost associated with these unique services.

Telehealth on the Rise

Telehealth is becoming the new norm in the world of medical assistance and was already on the rise before the coronavirus pandemic hit. Going forward, it may continue to be a popular choice among Americans, given the convenience, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness of telehealth.

What Technology Do You Need for Your Telehealth Visit?

Accessing health care services remotely makes managing your health needs easy during these uncertain times. To take advantage of telehealth services, you need a smartphone, tablet, or computer with internet access to connect with a health care provider. (If you don’t have a device with video capabilities, a telephone appointment can be set up to chat without video if appropriate.)

What Can You Expect From Your Telehealth Visit?

During a typical medical appointment, doctors listen, observe, and ask and answer questions, all of which can be done virtually.

Virtual doctor appointments are similar in structure to a typical appointment, except that there is no need to be in the same room with a physician. With this type of visit, doctors can still check your health and answer all your questions.

Once you schedule your telehealth appointment, you will be provided with a link to join your doctor on video at the appointment time. When you click the link, you’ll be connected with a board-certified provider who will go over your medical chart. (Note: If you are connecting with a doctor at a medical clinic you’ve never visited before, you may be required to provide some personal information before the visit takes place.)

The doctor will then ask a few questions and allow you to explain your need for medical attention to accurately evaluate your situation. Based on your symptoms, the doctor may be able to diagnose your issue on the spot.

However, further evaluations may be needed for certain situations, and additional lab tests (such as urine or blood tests) may be requested. If so, your physician will send you an Order or requisition form to facilitate these tests.

Once a diagnosis is made, the doctor will provide instructions and advice to help you deal with your symptoms. The doctor may also write a prescription if required and send it directly to a pharmacy for pick-up or delivery.

Compensating physicians for their time on a telehealth call can be done with the help of a faith-based health sharing plan.

Forms of Telehealth

Live video-conferencing is the most common and popular form of telehealth, but other types exist and include:

• Asynchronous video – This type of telehealth involves having a patient’s medical records sent to a physician electronically, which is especially helpful when rural-located healthcare providers must consult with specialists in another location.
• Remote patient monitoring – This form of telehealth involves collecting a patient’s health information and sending it to another healthcare professional for review. This is more commonly used in senior living settings to monitor patients’ vitals.
• Mobile health – Health-based software apps for mobile devices are becoming more popular and are used to support ongoing healthcare by monitoring a variety of chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or hypertension.

Using Christian Health Sharing to Access Telehealth Services

Telehealth appointments are often more cost-effective than traditional appointments in a doctor’s office, but they do come with a cost.

That’s where Christian health sharing can help. You don’t need an expensive health insurance policy to help with telehealth visits. Instead, you can become a member of a Christian health share plan to deal with the expenses of medical care. Along with other like-minded people with similar religious backgrounds, you can be a part of a group that offers you the help you need when the time comes to support your body as a temple of God. At the same time, as a member, you will be able to help others in their time of need.

This is precisely what UHSM offers. No matter what side of the coin you happen to be on at one time or another, being a member of UHSM’s Christian Health Sharing Program can provide you with the financial help you need to handle medical expenses while giving you the opportunity to contribute to a plan that is designed to help your fellow neighbors.

As the Book of Proverbs states, “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9)

Connect with UHSM.com today to discover how you can be a part of a Christian program that will support you and allow you to offer support to others at the same time.