FAQs about online care

Key takeaways

• Online medical care can give you access to treatment for a variety of different conditions, including skin conditions, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and erectile dysfunction.
• Online care is generally safe and effective. Make sure you have a secure internet connection and check whether the website is licensed.
• The costs of online medical care depend on the specific service you’re using. It may be covered by insurance in some cases.

Overview

Going to see a doctor is a necessary part of life, but it can often be inconvenient, time consuming, or even expensive, especially if you need to travel far for medical care. Online medical care is a possible alternative that may be quicker and more convenient.

Online care, also known as telemedicine, telehealth, or asynchronous care, is a way to access healthcare professionals without leaving your home. It may help make healthcare more accessible for many people, and licensed online care services are safe, legal, and effective.

Here are some common questions that often come up about online care — and their answers.

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How does online medical care work?

Online care, in its simplest terms, works exactly as the name suggests: It’s a way to access medical care via the internet. The term may refer to a variety of different services, including video consultations, messaging services, and remote monitoring.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the services offered by online care may vary by state. With that said, the services online care platforms may provide include:

• diagnosing common conditions
• offering medical advice
• ordering tests
• prescribing medications

Exactly how online medical care works will depend on the specific platform you’re using. In general, it involves booking an appointment online. In some cases, you will book a time slot for a video or audio call with a registered healthcare professional, which you will join with your phone, tablet, or computer.

In other cases, you can submit an online consultation form about your symptoms, and a healthcare professional will get back to you in their own time — usually within 24 hours — via a secure messaging service. This form is known as asynchronous care, as it doesn’t involve real-time communication with a doctor. Optum Perks Online Care, a partner site of Optum Perks, works in this way.

Can I get a prescription online without seeing a doctor?

One of the key benefits of online care is that you can get prescriptions without needing to see a doctor in person. However, this doesn’t mean there is no doctor involved in the process. You should always be connected with a licensed doctor or other healthcare professional, such as a nurse.

Whether you can get a prescription online also depends on the condition you’re aiming to treat. Online doctors may be unable to prescribe controlled substances, such as Adderall, or medications that may require close monitoring, such as certain antibiotics.

What conditions are covered by online care?

The specific conditions covered by online care vary based on the specific service you’re using. According to some 2024 research, more and more healthcare specialties have begun to adopt telemedicine, with dermatology and psychiatry being quick to adopt the technology, while other specialties like cardiology are slower to adapt.

However, online care services generally don’t cover every condition, but instead offer coverage for specific, common conditions and minor illnesses

For example, Optum Perks Online Care covers a wide range of common conditions, including medication refills for:

• birth control
• GLP-1s, as long as you have an existing prescription
• migraine medications
• general medication refills

They can also diagnose and prescribe treatments for other conditions, including:

• erectile dysfunction (ED)
• urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• hair loss
• skin conditions like acne or eczema

Some conditions require physical examinations or tests, meaning that online care is not a good option for these conditions. What’s more, if you think you’re experiencing a health emergency, such as severe difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, or loss of consciousness, dial 911 immediately.

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Is online care safe?

Official, licensed online care services are generally considered to be safe and effective. Legitimate services must use licensed healthcare professionals using secure platforms.

Some 2021 research, for example, suggests that telemedicine can provide comparable clinical outcomes to in-person doctor visits. What’s more, these services can help people to stick to their treatments.

You can use the following steps to make sure your online care service is legitimate and safe to use:

• Check that it is licensed: The website should clearly list its licensing and the credentials of its healthcare professionals. You can check with your state’s licensing board to ensure that any telehealth professional is licensed correctly.
• Make sure the site is legitimate: If you have any concerns, don’t use the site.
• Use a private internet protection: This can help protect your private personal data.
• Look for security indicators on the website: Check that the URL begins with “https://”, which indicates a secure site.

How much does online care cost?

The costs of online care depend on the individual site that you’re using. You will usually pay a fee for the consultation, alongside the cost for any medications prescribed and any copays or deductibles. For example, the cost of an online consultation with Optum Perks Online Care is $29, which is cheaper than many insurance copays.

There are also other savings associated with using online care rather than in-person consultations. One 2023 study involving people with cancer found that telehealth services saved participants up to $186 per visit in travel costs.

Does insurance cover online doctor visits?

You’ll need to check your specific insurance plan to know whether online care consultations are covered, but more and more plans are beginning to include telemedicine visits.

According to some 2022 research, government, federal, private, and commercial insurance plans — including Medicare and Medicaid — have all been used to reimburse patients for online medical care.

Summary

Online medical care is a way for patients to access healthcare from wherever they are via the internet, making it more convenient and accessible. It’s generally considered safe and effective.

Online care may involve video or audio consultations, or it may be asynchronous care where you submit an online form about your symptoms and a healthcare professional messages you back with a diagnosis or prescription.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.