Virtual visits make feeling better easy

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Getting into the doctor's office can sometimes be a hassle. Whether it's a sore throat or your child wakes up with pink eye, you can skip the trip. Instead, see a board-certified doctor via your smartphone, tablet or computer in just minutes.

With Doctor On Demand^®, you and your family members can speak virtually with an experienced doctor who can treat most common medical conditions and prescribe medication, if needed. Using Doctor On Demand is simple and you can make an appointment on your time.

With a virtual visit, you can get treatment for many common illnesses, such as:

• Cold and flu
• Bronchitis and sinus infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Sore throats
• Allergies
• Fever
• Headache
• Pink eye
• Skin conditions
• Mental health issues

How Doctor On Demand worked for one member

Wellmark member Brian Gillette used Doctor On Demand when he was on a getaway with his family in Colorado. On the first day, he woke up with a red, itchy eye. Pink eye had been making its way through the office where he worked, so he suspected that was the problem. Before his family even woke up, he hopped on his laptop to try Doctor On Demand.

“I didn’t have time to go to the urgent care center, and I sure didn’t want to miss out on vacation time with my family for something so minor,” says Gillette. “With Doctor On Demand, I was able to talk to a doctor in a matter of a few minutes. We picked up the prescription eye drops, and we were on our way.”

Pros of a virtual visit

• Offers convenience. Seeing a doctor online is fast and convenient, and care is available on your time, when your doctor’s office is closed, when you're traveling or you're too sick or busy to go in person.
• Great for minor ailments. The service works best for minor, temporary, non-emergency conditions such as a cold or the flu, allergies, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, rashes, sprains or strains.
• Eliminates drive time. Since there’s no need to travel, you’ll save time and inconvenience.
• Easy to fit into a busy schedule. If you have a tight schedule or short lunch break, you can fit in an appointment.

Cons of a virtual visit

• It doesn’t always suit the situation. Virtual visits work for a speedy evaluation of symptoms. But they may not be suitable for situations that require more in-depth care, such as severe burns, broken bones or ear infections.
• Technology can be problematic. If your phone doesn’t have service or your laptop can’t connect to Wi-Fi, you may be out of luck. In most cases, smartphones and tablets offer better connections than a laptop computer.
• Your doctor won’t know your health history. While you can choose the same Doctor On Demand provider each time, you won’t see your primary care provider. That means the doctor you see will not know your personal health history, which could be challenging.

Wellmark members’ experiences with Doctor On Demand

• The average wait time is 6.3 minutes.
• The average visit is less than nine minutes.
• Approximate time it takes from start to finish is only 16 minutes.
• Doctor On Demand has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars among Wellmark members.

Getting started with Doctor On Demand is easy

Doctor On Demand is a covered benefit under many Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield health insurance plans. But even if your plan doesn't cover virtual visits, an appointment via Doctor On Demand may still be a cheaper option than an urgent care or emergency room visit.

To get started:

1. Download the Doctor On Demand app or visit the website.
2. Have your Wellmark ID card handy. You'll be asked to enter your full ID number, including the three-character prefix.
3. Create an account or sign in.