Imagine being able to get in to see the doctor any time of the day or night, without having to take time away from work or school – or even leaving your home. Imagine no more--Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana has made this a reality with BlueCare, a new service that lets customers have online doctor visits.
“Our mission is to improve the health and lives of Louisianians, and that includes making it as easy as possible for them to get care when they need it,” said Paul Murphree, MD, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana interim chief medical officer. “With BlueCare, our customers have 24/7 access to doctor visits. This is an easier, cheaper way to get care for routine needs than going to an ER or urgent care.”
BlueCare is a benefit for most customers, who can have online doctor visits with a computer, laptop, smartphone, tablet, or any device with internet and a camera. BlueCare will cost customers $39 per visit. Depending on their plan type and benefits, Blue Cross may mail them a refund once the claim for their BlueCare visit has processed. But, customers will never pay more than $39 total for using BlueCare.
To sign up for BlueCare, customers can go to www.BlueCareLA.com, or download the BlueCare (one word) app from Apple Store, or Google Play for iOS and Android devices. They will need to create a log-in ID and password, which they will use for any BlueCare visits.
Once on BlueCare, customers will enter basic information about their symptoms, and why they need to see a doctor. Customers will see which doctors are available for online visits, and choose the one they want to see. BlueCare meets state and federal healthcare services and privacy laws, and it is as legitimate as an in-person visit. Customers can choose to share the record from their BlueCare visits with their regular doctors.
Online visits are effective for treating non-emergency, minor illnesses like colds, allergies, bladder infections, sinus trouble, mild stomach bugs, or rashes. Doctors can send a prescription for most medications over BlueCare. Customers can also use BlueCare to check in with a doctor if they need follow-up care.
“In our digital world, more of our customers have been asking us to offer online visits,” Murphree said. “We realize that today, our customers bank, shop, and handle most other business online. BlueCare is a safe, easy way for them to handle their healthcare needs online, as well.”
To learn more about BlueCare, visit www.bcbsla.com/BlueCare.
BlueCare is powered by American Well, a telemedicine company.