What is Telemedicine?

Safe and secure, telemedicine is the quality care you need made easier. Telemedicine is an alternative to in-person visits. It allows healthcare professionals to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients from a distance using secure video/audio connections.

With Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas coverage, you can visit live with a doctor on your computer or mobile device when it’s convenient for you.

If you need telemedicine services, call your doctor first. If your doctor does not provide this service, contact 844-733-3627 to see what other telemedicine options may be available to you.

Benefits:

• Less time away from work
• No travel expenses
• Easier if you have a child or elder in your care
• Privacy
• No exposure to other potentially contagious patients

When can I use it?

Consult a doctor for common conditions like:

• Cold/Flu
• Fever
• Rash
• Sinus infection
• Pink eye
• Ear infection
• Behavioral health

If you feel you may have symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, fever, shortness of breath), stay home. While a diagnosis of COVID-19 cannot be confirmed via telemedicine care, care teams can screen patients, assign risk, answer questions and recommend next steps, including healing at home in low risk cases and referral to hospital care for highest risk patients. This greatly minimizes the demands on in-person primary care, urgent care and reduces unnecessary risk to patients and care teams for further exposure.

Behavioral health services

The outbreak of COVID-19 may induce stress and anxiety in adults and children. Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include fear about your own health and the health of your loved ones; changes in sleep or eating patterns; difficulty sleeping or concentrating; worsening chronic health problems; and increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. Licensed therapists can use telemedicine to provide advice and counseling for depression, anxiety, stress and more.

As a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas member, you can also reach us at 1-800-432-3990 for more information. Please check your contract for this benefit. Not all plans include telemedicine coverage.