Planning a family vacation or road trip? While you may be going on vacation, unfortunately, health issues and accidents never take a vacation and even if you are on a cross-country road trip or lounging at the beach, health concerns can happen. Knowing your health benefit plan and what options are available to you can help you handle unexpected situations.
First, assess the situation. Are you facing a serious, potentially life-threatening situation? If so, call 911 immediately. If not, working with our telehealth provider, Teladoc, might save you from a doctor’s or hospital visit that will take time away from your vacation. As a reminder, telehealth allows you to speak with a health provider over a video call, via computer, cell phone or tablet, without needing a physical office visit. Teladoc services are fully covered by our EWTF.
- Telehealth appointments are good for conditions and concerns such as:
- Infections such as sinus infections, urinary tract infections, and ear infections
- Respiratory issues such as flu, cold, bronchitis, and allergies
- Pain/stomach problems such as abdominal pain, stomach bugs, and sore throat
- Dermatology issues such as acne, psoriasis, rosacea, and rashes
Teladoc can also help you manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and weight management while you are on vacation and even send prescriptions electronically to our in-network pharmacy provider CVS Caremark. Additionally, Teladoc provides mental health services, similar to those offered through Revive, formerly known as Business Health Services. Between Teladoc and Revive, our members and their dependents have excellent options to address mental health concerns both home and away.
However, Teladoc should not be used if experiencing the following or suspect any of the following:
- Chest pains
- Shortness of breath
- Signs of stroke
- Severe bleeding
- Head injury
- Fracture
- Need for narcotics
Teleadoc services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and staffed by licensed physicians. You can even schedule a consultation between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. local time 7 days a week. To reach Teladoc, call 1-800-TELADOC or visit www.teladochealth.com.