Do We Offer Medication Discounts
As part of your Telehealth Options membership, youll receive instant access to our prescription discount program. There is no additional cost to receive this program, and you will be automatically enrolled once you join us.
We have partnered with Inside RX to offer you the convenience of an app that you can install on your smartphone or tablet, so you can see the discounted prices for your prescription before you ever get to the pharmacy.
When you arrive at the pharmacy, simply present the card and the technician will apply your membership number and apply the discount codes to help you with lowering prescription costs.
Get Immediate Access To Our Prescription Discount Program Today!
Lower Costs And Use Of Insurance
While a telemedicine visit is likely to save you some money, the cost will vary depending on what medical services youre looking for. A 10-minute general consultation for common issues starts at around $15, while a 45-minute psychiatric consultation can run you about $250.
Many telemedicine providers accept insurance or partner with specific insurers or employers to offer lower fees . Providers that dont accept insurance may still be more affordable than your insurance copay for an in-person doctors visit.
Many private insurance plans will cover a telemedicine visit. Ask your insurance company what your coverage includes and whether you need prior approval for telehealth services before making an appointment.
Medicare and Medicaid have also expanded telemedicine coverage due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Medicare will pay for office, hospital, and other visits for several types of providers. Medicaid coverage for telemedicine varies by state.
How Do I Get Antibiotics Online
When you have a bacterial infection, then it is likely time for an antibiotic. Antibiotics fight bacteria. That is all they do. Other types of infections require other medications. Bacteria can be particularly problematic if it starts to spread. Our bodies can fight off bacteria but when symptoms get worse then bacteria may be growing at a rate that is too fast for our body to fight off. This is when it is absolutely important to take an antibiotic.
Its not always going to be necessary to take antibiotics. If you are taking antibiotics every time you have a sore throat, there could be problems down the road. You may have heard of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance has occurred with an antibiotic is no longer effective at fighting off an ailment. This typically happens later in life after an individual has gone on too many courses of antibiotics. If you are looking to prevent this from happening, only take antibiotics when you are unable to fight off the bacteria on your own.
Not sure if antibiotics the right move? Ask yourself a few questions first:
- Am I better today than I was yesterday?
- Have I fought off this type of infection before?
- Are my symptoms getting worse?
If you are ready to order antibiotics online then check out one of the online doctor sites listed earlier . Take the time to visit with an online doctor and s/he will determine whether or not a prescription for an antibiotic is a good choice.
Recommended Reading: Best Antibiotic For Vaginal Infection
Ready To Join Telehealth Options
In addition to having access to the same quality prescription antibiotics as your family doctor and our prescription discount program, Telehealth Options provides other benefits to you and your family.
- Visit with our doctors 24/7/365 to receive care quickly when you need it.
- You can conveniently access our doctors by smartphone, tablet, computer, landline, or our mobile app for on the go medical care.
- Our membership fee is only $360.00 for an individual and $480.00 for a family of up to 5 members for the year.
- No consultation fees, zero hidden charges when you visit with our virtual doctors.
- Behavioral health care is available.
Join us by calling or online today, and you can see a doctor within minutes!
Doctors Available Now!
How Do I Know If A Pharmacy Does Home Delivery
Most pharmacies in the ACT offer home delivery services to assist vulnerable people in the community. You can contact your preferred pharmacy to ask if they do home delivery. You can also check the HealthDirect website www.healthdirect.gov.au for this information.
Your pharmacist may wish to contact you to provide advice about your medications. You should also contact them if you have any questions about your medications including side effects or how to take them properly.
Also Check: The Best Antibiotic For Ear Infection
What Will My Online Amoxicillin Prescription Appointment Be Like
Appointments usually take between five to thirty minutes depending on the individual need. The online doctor will ask for a description of your symptoms. This will allow them to determine the best course of treatment. If necessary, they may recommend a follow-up appointment, or a visit to a physical clinic.
Does Insurance Cover Online Antibiotic Prescriptions
If you have prescription coverage for primary care doctor visits, you will also be covered by online prescriptions.
Should you have questions about your insurance plan, we suggest that you contact your insurance provider. Unfortunately, prescription coverages vary widely, and we do not know the particulars of your plan.
Also Check: How To Treat Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria
What The Study Found
The study, published Oct. 1 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, analyzed over 13,000 telemedicine encounters between physicians and patients suffering from a variety of respiratory infections .
Sixty-seven percent of the phone calls resulted in the patient receiving a prescription for antibiotics. But the researchers were most interested in the association between the length of the call and the end result.
The encounters that ended with a prescription for antibiotics averaged 6.6 minutes. Those in which doctors prescribed nothing lasted about 7.5 minutes. And when a non-antibiotic treatment was prescribed, the encounters averaged 8 minutes.
These are very small differences in very short encounters in which every minute counts, says Martinez. But for the telemedicine physicians, who are getting paid by the volume of patients they treat, even a small increase in the time of each encounter can be a detriment.
Because the researchers didnt have access to the actual content of the telemedicine sessions, Martinez says they can only theorize as to why the calls resulting in antibiotic prescriptions were the shortest and whether those prescriptions were appropriate.
But our theory is that it takes longer for a physician to explain to a patient why they dont need antibiotics than it takes to prescribe them, says Martinez. Just a few sentences can take half a minute, longer if the patient pushes back or asks questions.
Controlled Substances That Cannot Be Prescribed Online
Most controlled substances cannot be prescribed online and part of that is because of the Ryan Haight Act.
What is the Ryan Haight Act?
After Ryan Haight fatally overdosed due to an online pain medication, Congress decided to crack down on prescription pain medications online. The thing is, Ryan Haight was not actually prescribed this medication by a medical provider which means that over the years a few exceptions have been added to the rule.
Congress passed the Ryan Haight Act in 2008 as a response to his overdose. This means that controlled substances can not be prescribed to patients online. To prescribe pain medicine online practitioners must:
- Conduct an in-person assessment.
- familiarize themselves with their own organizations policies with regards to online prescriptions.
- Check compliancy with any specific state or federal rules
Controlled Substances that are not Generally Prescribed Online Without and In-Person Evaluation
- Xanax
- Vicodin
- Many More
When it comes to ordering these prescription medicines online, you may find it easier to simply speak with your doctor in person than to investigate if you fall into one of the categories that are listed as exceptions to the Ryan Haight Act. That being said there are a few circumstances where you may be an exception.
Once you have obtained your in-person evaluation you can receive online refills for your prescription for a period of about 24 months before you need to see your doctor again to get reevaluated.
Also Check: How Long After Taking Antibiotics Will My Tooth Stop Hurting
How Virtual Doctors Maintain Safety
Keeping patients safe is a doctors responsibility. They should be able to fully explain the prescription process and give you reasons for taking a certain medication over others.
Electronic prescriptions can potentially improve the overall safety of prescriptions while maintaining efficiency. For virtual prescribing, most of the safety and precautions come from the actual examination, consultation, and diagnosis.
To maintain safety, the virtual doctor will:
- Identify whats causing your current condition and perform a thorough examination of your health
- Determine all your current medical conditions, which includes any past drug history and current prescriptions and over-the-counter medications used
- Make sure that your condition presents enough justification to prescribe medication
- Rule out the possibility of any contraindications, which refer to any situation where the medication may cause harm to the patient, either based on personal health or interactions with other medication
The Goodrx Telehealth Marketplace
The telemedicine space is currently experiencing a boom, and it can be confusing trying to figure out which platform is right for you. Every company has different services, prices, and state licenses, and not all of them accept insurance.
Weve made it easier for you to understand your options by vetting and comparing trusted telemedicine companies in the GoodRx Telehealth Marketplace. There, you can browse over 100 offerings by treatment or lab test type.
Also Check: Can You Drink With Uti Antibiotics
Which Ailments Can A Pharmacist Prescribe Antibiotics For
A pharmacist can prescribe antibiotics only for a listed set of 32 minor ailments. A minor ailment is where the medical condition is not serious and does not require any blood or other lab tests.
Its classed as a medical condition that can be cured with minimal treatment and/or self-care strategies.
These minor ailments can also be treated with at-home treatments, over-the-counter medication treatments, and other prescription medications.
A minor ailment lasts for a short period. It will also not require you to make frequent visits to the pharmacy or your pharmacy care provider.
Be An Informed Telemedicine Patient
Even though its doctors who are prescribing the antibiotics, patients can be a big part of the problem.
Patients often view a telemedicine encounter as more of a consumer transaction than a healthcare visit, says Martinez. Theres an expectation that they get to call a doctor, pay for the visit, and get a prescription.
Coupled with that expectation is the fact that many patients still hold a firm belief that taking an antibiotic is the fastest way to rebound from most respiratory infections. Theres a tremendous placebo effect of antibiotics, says Topol.
You May Like: Best Antibiotic For Tooth Pain
Things To Know About Online Doctor Visits
So youve heard about this thing called telehealth, or maybe youve even tried telehealth for yourself but what do you really know about online doctor visits? Its an easy, convenient way to see a doctor immediately, but is it safe? When should it be used? Can you get prescriptions? We’ve got you covered here are the top 10 things to know about online doctor visits on Amwell.
1) Its safe: Amwell is a private, secure, HIPAA-compliant tool that allows you to safely and confidentially meet with a doctor. Our security and privacy program is built to the highest of standards and has passed extensive federal security audits, so you can rest assured knowing your personal medical information is in safe hands.
2) Its convenient: Doctors on Amwell are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day to see patients online or by phone. And with an average wait time of fewer than three minutes, you wont have to wait daysor weeksto see a doctor.
3) Its effective: With Amwell, 85% of patients issues are resolved during a telehealth visit. The remaining 15% are patients who require further examination or additional treatment.
4) Patients love it: Amwell users rate their experiences with our doctors an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars. The proof is in the pudding our users not only value the service but are also satisfied with their experiences!
Can Online Doctors Prescribe Antibiotics
Yes, an online doctor can prescribe antibiotics following a virtual consultation. Antibiotics are a prescription medication and therefore you must speak to a doctor before you can receive them. That said, you can meet with an online doctor and get prescribed antibiotics online. In that way you avoid the doctors office and can receive treatment from your home, or on the go!
You May Like: Antibiotic Ear Drops For Dogs Pets At Home
Can I Still Get A Paper Prescription
Yes. Doctors are still able to give you a paper prescription during a face-to-face appointment. They can also issue you a paper prescription following a telehealth consultation, however, you will need to arrange to either collect this from the practice or have it posted to you. They will be unable to give you the paper prescription if it has already been sent to your pharmacy.
How To Get Prescription Medications For Your Pets
You probably feel like your pet is a member of your family too. But we have all been there when it comes to pet ailments. They all seemingly happen at the worst possible moments-typically at home far past the normal veterinary business hours. Everyone knows that a trip to the emergency vet virtually triples the price of a vet during office hours. Luckily there are ways to prevent these expensive trips to the emergency vet- you guessed it, online veterinary care. If you are looking for an in-depth look into veterinary care for your pet check out our piece on online pet care.
Most of the services are similar to an in-person vet visit though without the lab work. A number of common pet ailments can be resolved with just a little bit of advice from a vet. Our top pick for overall vet care was VetLive. VetLive promises to figure out what is wrong with your pet or the service is free. These licensed vets are able to prescribe medications for your pets or make other recommendations. Most of these services do require a monthly fee.
Another great option is Chewy.com. Chewy is another 24/7 site that has one of the largest online pharmacies for all kinds pets. Chewy is filled with all of the common medications that you will need to care for your pet including flea and tick medicine, ear treatments, eye care, skin treatments and more. They even have medications for horses.
Are you ready to get your online prescription? Check out these legal online prescription services.
Read Also: Antibiotics For H Pylori Eradication
Do Antibiotics For A Uti Require A Doctors Visit Or Prescription
Antibiotics are not available without a prescription in the United States. You will need to talk to a doctor or nurse practitioner to get a prescription. You can do this in person, over the phone, or over video.
If this is your first UTI, it can be helpful to see a doctor in person. This is a good idea if you might have a sexually transmitted infection especially since STIs and UTIs can have similar symptoms. Meeting with a doctor in person allows you to have a physical exam and lab tests. In some cases you may also be asked to give a urine sample, especially if you havent had a UTI before. The office visit, exam, and lab tests can all help you figure out whether its a UTI or another condition.
You may also be able to get antibiotics simply by talking to a doctor on the phone or over video. One strategy is to call your primary care doctors office. If you are an established patient they may be willing to call in a prescription for you especially if youve had a UTI before. They may also be able to provide you with medical advice over the phone.
Another option is to see an online doctor. With telehealth, you can get equally good care for your UTI, from the comfort of your own home. There are many telehealth options for diagnosing and treating UTIs, including GoodRx Care. You can also shop around at the GoodRx Telehealth Marketplace, where you can compare telehealth providers based on:
Virtual Doctors And Hipaa
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act , which was passed in 1996, was developed as a means of creating regulations that protected a patients privacy and health information.
The HIPAA Privacy Rule established national standards that protected your health information. The Security Rule extends those same standards to digital health records.
Considering the ease of access and growing cyber threats, any reputable online doctors and telehealth providers should openly state that they comply with HIPAA.
PlushCare is HIPAA compliant and uses private electronic health record systems to keep all medical records safe.
Furthermore, PlushCares staff undergoes specific training to ensure protection of patient information. This applies to all databases and web platforms that PlushCare uses as well.
Don’t Miss: What Antibiotic Treat Uti And Sinus Infection
Can Virtual Doctors Prescribe Controlled Substances Is It Safe
Recent Posts
Telehealth and virtual care models allow for fewer in-person contacts between patients and providers, reducing the risk that SARS-CoV-2 will spread. In some cases, they also enable a higher level of care and more frequent communication. As such, some governing bodies have temporarily changed certain regulations so that healthcare providers can do as much as possible to deliver high-quality care virtually. Some areas of care become more challenging in a virtual environment, but with the right support tools in place, these challenges can be mitigated.
In this blog, youll learn how these changes affect how online doctors can prescribe controlled substances.
Lets get started.
