Free and cheap telehealth.
Telehealth is an affordable way to get access to free or affordable medical care, both basic as well as even more advanced diagnosis. Virtual doctor or psychiatric visits can be used as an alternative to health insurance or mental health therapy and only used on an as needed basis. Learn more about free telemedicine or healthcare, apps and websites for the low-income and people with no insurance. The services provide virtual doctor visits, access to virtual therapy, and other remote healthcare options.
With telemedicine's easy accessibility, ability to get care on a “one-off” basis and lack of in-person contact, there has been a massive uptick in the use of these online services. Virtual doctor visits also have some major financial benefits that are often overlooked--especially by those with no insurance or money to pay for a doctor. Many companies also offer free or cheap virtual therapy, telehealth from doctors or RNs as well or other mental health programs.
1. Get free medical care using Telehealth
As with most goods and services, the cost of a primary care visit varies from state to state and doctor to doctor. Telehealth services, which can often be done right from your computer or smart phone, are much more affordable. There are also free tele-medicine apps and services for people that lack health insurance, or that have a low income or live in poverty. Read more on free online therapy.
With virtual consults typically ranging between $40 and $75, telemedicine significantly reduces that expense. Companies such as Teladoc, Doctor on Demand, Talkspace, MeMD, and Better Health are some of the leading Telehealth providers. Get affordable treatment for a wide variety of conditions, including but not limited too, general medicine, allergies, fever, urinary tract infections (UTIs), sexual health consultations, birth control, vaccinations, colds and flu, and so much more. There are also free telehealth therapists too.
- Teledoc provides everyday care for $40 to $60 per visit (with higher rates for dermatology) as well as mental health counseling for under $100 per visit.
- Doctor on Demand allows you to favor your favorite doctor, and 15 to 30 minute virtual visits start at $75.
- MeMD is another leading provider, and urgent care is around $70 while mental health counseling/therapy is $85.
- Talkspace focuses on therapy and mental health needs. There is couples counseling for the uninsured, individual therapy, tele counseling for anxiety and other mental health needs.
- CallOnDoc provides services, including same day access to prescription drugs, for about $50.
- Better Health is another online therapy provider.
Although online telehealth isn't an appropriate option in every case, it can help those with minor medical issues looking to pay less per visit. Telemedicine, virtual therapy and other remote solutions are also very effective for those who lack health insurance, and the visits can save them a lot of money on their medical bills. It can be very effective as well for talking to a mental health counselor for consultations for issues such as anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and addiction.
When it comes to telemedicine, you can get everything from an appointment with your therapist to a consultation with a general practice doctor or specialist now. This is a great option whether you have a health insurance policy or not, especially when it comes to symptoms that can be assessed visually like rashes or when your symptoms relate to a preexisting condition.
Many telehealth providers also offer mental health care or general counseling at affordable rates. Or you can find a dedicated provider such as Talkspace. Therapy appointments are essential for many to keep up their mental health in good condition, and there's no reason that you can't have a video or phone appointment with your regular therapist. Check with the doctors you already see or the doctors in your area to see if they have begun offering telemedicine appointments. Some insurance companies like Anthem are even offering their own telemedicine services.
2. Keep costs low with prompt treatment from tele-health
Sadly, uninsured patients often tend to delay healthcare, self-diagnose and treat with over-the-counter medications, or neglect their condition altogether. Low-cost or free Telehealth doctor visits are very accessible and can be done at any time from your phone, tablet or computer. As if you delay seeing a doctor or treatment, the problem is that delayed treatment or an incorrect self-diagnosis can lead to more serious medical complications and outrageously high medical bills in the long term.
If you have zero medical coverage, the last thing you want is for a simple respiratory infection to turn into full-blown pneumonia that requires hospitalization, or an insect bite to turn into an amputation. Putting off care can lead to extreme medical bills. If that sounds horrifying, it's because it is. Telehealth can help you avoid these more costly outcomes for common medical issues by ensuring you get professional help early so that treatment can start immediately.
3. Save time with free telehealth or home testing
Many people are reluctant to go to the doctor or emergency for minor symptoms and there's good reason. In person visits are costly, often inconvenient, and can take days (if not longer) to get an appointment not to mention missed work.
If all you have is a little pain in your throat, it's hard to put yourself at risk for something greater. Of course, if you have symptoms of a major medical emergency it's well worth the risk to get yourself to an emergency room, but there's an increasing amount of medical mysteries and mundane monitoring that you can figure out from the safety and comfort of your own home. This is what remote doctor visits or telehealth can address.
Telemedicine and at home testing kits are both on the rise for people with health insurance as well as the uninsured. In fact, many private health insurance companies, like United Health and Blue Cross Blue Shoes, offer telemedicine. The fact is that many conditions require frequent monitoring that interferes with daily life if you have to work around lab and hospital appointments. Now that slow progress has taken off due to necessity and these remote options may be becoming the new norm.
4. Telemedicine helps avoid emergency room bills
Studies indicate that around 30% of emergency department visits are unnecessary, not to mention costly. Free online telehealth will help reduce urgent medical care as well as help avoid ambulance visits. Not to mention the long waits that may involve or the cost of paying for an ambulance for low-income families. Read more on ambulance rides for people with no insurance.
Fortunately, telehealth physicians are not only able to diagnose and prescribe treatment and medication for a wide variety of ailments, but they're also available 24/7 all year round--just like ER doctors. The result is that you don't have to rush to an emergency room or urgent care facility on weekends and holidays for things like flu, a urinary tract infection, or even minor sports injuries.
5. Telemedical and at home testing options
It's also worth considering that you don't need to make a telemedicine appointment at all. If you have reason to believe you know what your problem is, you are just monitoring a preexisting condition, or you want to be tested for minor issues like allergies, those are all typically things you can order a test or kit for without ever talking to a doctor or telehealth provider. The kits can be bought anywhere, even at drug stores like CVS or stores such as Target or Walmart.
Get testing such as Thyroid panels, cholesterol levels, STD testing, colorectal cancer screening, liver and kidney function tests, allergy tests, vitamin deficiency tests, UTI tests, food sensitivity tests, and heavy metal testing are all things you can order yourself. The tests come in the mail and you send them back to a lab for analysis.
These at home screening and testing options have been available for a while, have proven to be just as accurate as testing in a lab, and without insurance they generally range in price from $50 to $300. A few of the companies that you can get these tests from are MyLabBox.com, EverlyWell.com, and LifeLineHomeTest.com. Be sure to review test results with a medical professional, as most tests require medical knowledge to be understood properly in the context of your overall health and age.
6. Cheap telehealth visits from Doctors or Nurses for medical tests
You may be thinking that it's all well and fine that you can talk to a doctor (either in person or remotely), but don't they need to do tests to figure out what's wrong? Of course, and they can order a myriad of tests for you and have them sent to either your doorstep or your pharmacy. At home visits from telehealth companies, treatments from nurses or doctors are also very affordable for the uninsured. And follow up is usually given as part of telehealth. Even pharmacies are now working hard to help keep you safely in your home, having teamed up with companies like Postmates to have prescriptions delivered.
If you need a blood test, don't fear, there have actually been home health organizations with IV infusion nurses who go door to door for years. Whether you need a blood test, fluids, or IV antibiotics, they can help you in the comfort of your own home. This is a very similar concept to a telehealth or doctor on demand service. If your doctor doesn't suggest it, you can always ask or insist, so it might be a good idea to look up home infusion companies near you before your telemedicine appointment to have that information ready. Find at home testing services here.
Other benefits of telehealth care for the uninsured
As an added financial incentive, telemedicine doesn't require you to take leave from work or miss a day of work, or spend money traveling to and from your doctor's office. It does not require a costly health insurance policy. A number of tele health care companies provide free care to the low-income, teenagers who need therapy and uninsured. Patients also have more control over your choice since you can select your preferred telehealth physician based on extensive profile information and reviews.
Although there is an increase in the number of assistance programs for Americans who can't afford health insurance or co-payments, telemedicine offers a smart and affordable way to get the care you need when you need it.
Bottom line of virtual doctors, testing kits, and telemedicine services
Don't let being stuck at home (or work) or lack of health insurance prevent you from maintaining a healthy body and mind; there are options available that enable you to stay safe and stay healthy. Look into remote health care, testing kits, and similar solutions. Oftentimes, more serious health problems can be avoided if minor issues are treated early and you regularly monitor your health.
It's also important to realize that if you have a medical emergency, you should trust that the medical staff are all well trained and knowledgeable when it comes to preventing the transmission of communicable diseases. If you are having a medical emergency you should always call for an ambulance or get to an emergency room.
Related Content From Needhelppayingbills.com
|
