Telehealth usage continues to grow as more individuals look for convenient and accessible healthcare options. While virtual care existed before COVID-19, the pandemic significantly accelerated its adoption as healthcare providers and patients looked for safe ways to access care remotely.

Telehealth visits have continued to increase in recent years, and many patients value the convenience and flexibility that virtual care provides. Telehealth is commonly used for primary care visits, behavioral health support, prescription refills, follow-up appointments, and other non-emergency concerns.

For many people, virtual visits reduce travel time and make it easier to fit appointments into busy schedules. A good example of when telehealth may be useful is for concerns such as conjunctivitis (pink eye), where an individual may receive care quickly without an in-person visit and have medication prescribed if necessary.

Many health plans now include telehealth services as part of their benefits, and virtual care can often be a lower-cost option than urgent care or emergency room visits for non-emergency conditions. CalCPA Health medical members have access to LiveHealth Online for virtual medical and behavioral health visits.

Individuals should check with their healthcare providers to see if telehealth options are available. It can also be helpful to review plan documents to understand how telehealth services are covered under a specific health plan, including costs and eligible services.

Understanding when telehealth is appropriate can help individuals make more informed decisions about where to receive care and may provide a convenient option for accessing healthcare when in-person visits are not necessary.

While telehealth can be helpful for many non-emergency concerns, individuals experiencing severe symptoms or medical emergencies should seek in-person or emergency care when appropriate.

Coverage and telehealth services may vary by plan and provider. Members should review their plan documents and confirm coverage details before receiving services.