Too many of us put off going to a doctor when we’re not feeling well—it’s not convenient, the doctor’s office is closed, or we don’t have a relationship with a primary care provider (PCP). Plus, many people are still not completely comfortable spending time in a crowded urgent care center or doctor’s waiting room. Instead, many of us will simply walk around feeling awful—and possibly infecting other people—until we’re so sick we can’t work and have to do something about it.
This isn’t a good situation for an individual or their employer—and it’s one of the many reasons why it pays to have Doctors Online.
Anytime, anywhere care
With Doctors Online from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI), employees have 24/7 access to board-certified physicians for routine medical concerns, like sinus infections, migraines, urinary tract infections, and cold and flu symptoms. Using the Doctors Online website or convenient app, employees (and their dependents) can get the care they need, when they need it—which can reduce absenteeism and hours away from work. Plus:
- Doctors Online is accessible from almost anywhere, so it’s ideal for employees who travel or anyone who is away from home.
- Generally speaking, the copay for Doctors Online is usually lower than the copay for an urgent care center or emergency room (which is the only place to go in a true emergency, of course).
- The app is directly connected to each BCBSRI user’s benefit eligibility information, ensuring that the proper copay and benefits are applied.
Behavioral healthcare by appointment
Doctors Online also offers by-appointment behavioral healthcare with licensed therapists and board-certified psychiatrists. Employees can speak with a professional about anxiety, depression, stress, and other non-emergency concerns from the comfort and privacy of their home or office—which can reduce the stigma some people may still feel about seeking help. Appointments can be made several weeks in advance and, once a relationship is established, employees can continue seeing the same provider on a regular basis.
Getting started is easy
Doctors Online is included with all BCBSRI fully insured plans and is available for self-funded clients. To get started, employees simply download the BCBSRI Doctors Online app from their favorite app store or visit Drs-Online.com to register their account. Then, they’ll have a doctor on call the next time they need care.
Contact your BCBSRI sales representative to learn more about Doctors Online.
In the case of an emergency, you should always call 911 or your local emergency services. Doctors Online is not intended to replace these services and should not be used in those circumstances.
Doctors Online is a telemedicine service provided by American Well®, an independent company that administers Doctors Online on behalf of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island.