A Choice---Emergency Room/ Urgent Care/ Am Well On Line Video

[Lon]

We now have three choices when we need non life threatening medical assistance with the ER being the most expensive, Urgent Care second and On Line video assistance third. My supplemental Health Plan has just added Am Well On Line Video. Many minor medical situations that are handled by Emergency Rooms can be handled at Urgent Care facilities at considerably less cost and by AmWell On Line Video at even lesser cost. It's obvious which one the Insurance companies would prefer. The On Line Video you talk face to face with a specialist who can prescribe for you if needed, The cost for the consultation on line is $45.00. Am Well would have some of your medical history which you supply them when signing up for the service.

 

[NancyNGA]

.... The On Line Video you talk face to face with a specialist who can prescribe for you if needed, The cost for the consultation on line is $45.00. Am Well would have some of your medical history which you supply them when signing up for the service.

For me personally, it would be a good thing to have available. I'd almost have to be near death before I'd go to an ER for anything, and I hate going to doctors so much I put it off for as long as possible, sometimes maybe too long. I try to ride most health related things out, but the problem comes when you need a prescription for something.

 

[ndynt]

Like the third choice, forsee most primary care evolving into online visits. I hate to have to go to a MD just for a refill. My rule of thumb regarding the remaining two, if life threatening the ER, if something that need immediate care, such as needing stitches. Urgent Care.

 

[Butterfly]

I would only go to the ER for something awful (like last November when I dislocated my shoulder). I've never tried the online thing -- I guess it would be OK. I've seldom used the urgent care, either. I've been very lucky.

 

[SifuPhil]

I think the whole "visit the ER for my sniffles" thing started a while back. If I were one of the ER workers I'd resent having to treat people like that.