How Virtual Care Works and What it Costs
Virtual care and telehealth are convenient ways to receive medical advice and treatment from home. You can call us directly or send a message through myPrivia, text, or email, and you can expect a reply in one to three business days. Depending on your needs or schedule, this can be a useful alternative to an in-person visit.
The Cost of Virtual Medical Advice
Many insurance companies covered digital and telecommunications during COVID, and some carriers may continue to cover remote treatment in full. But starting in 2023, you may be responsible for a portion of your bill:
Medicare: For most patients, there’s no out-of-pocket cost once you’ve met your deductible. For a small number of patients, the cost could be $3 to $6.
Private Insurance: Some patients will have a copay similar to those for in-person or tele visits. If a deductible applies, the charge is likely to be less than the cost of an in-person visit (an average amount is $65.)
What Counts as Medical Advice Messaging
If Dr. Manuel needs to make a clinical assessment or medical decision, order a test or medication, or review your medical history, or it takes more than a few minutes to respond, you’ve received medical treatment.
Examples of calls or messages that may be billed to insurance: any new issue, symptom, or illness requiring medical assessment, referral or prescription; medication adjustment; chronic disease check-in, a flare-up or change in chronic condition; request to complete a form.
Examples of calls or messages that may not be billed to insurance: a refill request for an existing prescription, a request to schedule an appointment, a message that leads to an in-person visit within 24 hours, an update for Dr. Manuel where no response is required.