TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Capital Health Plan (CHP) today announced that it is extending the time on no cost shares for care provided virtually through telehealth to make health care more accessible and affordable to members. The copay waiver, which began when the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, will be extended through March 31, 2021 to offer the service through the flu season.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many of my older patients to delay in-person doctor visits. Telehealth provides a great option for them to stay connected with us and bridge the gaps before they feel comfortable coming in-person again,” said Dr. Amy Neal, a family medicine physician and associate medical director at CHP. “This is likely going to be a challenging flu season, so I encourage members to get their flu shot and stay in touch with their physician.”
The copay waiver will continue for CHP members when they log on and use telehealth services for virtual appointments with their doctors, CHP Urgent Care or through CHP’s contracted telehealth provider, Amwell. Telehealth enables members to utilize online services and avoid unnecessary in-person contact, which is especially important during flu season amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.
“All of us in the medical community are pleased to see Capital Health Plan take a leadership role during this difficult time to ensure the health and well-being of the community by being one of the first in Florida to extend this service at no cost,” said Tim Stapleton, chief executive officer of the Florida Medical Association.
CHP members can access telehealth by contacting their own personal physician to see if they offer the service or by downloading the telehealth app, “Amwell: Doctor Visits 24/7.” Telehealth visits work well for a variety of concerns, ranging from cold or flu symptoms to rashes, ear infections, and more. Unlike the traditional in-person doctor’s office experience, members can use the service from the comfort and safety of their own homes.
“Telehealth is the wave of the future for both safety and convenience. It is also proving to be both effective and popular – so far this year, we have had more than 88,000 patient visits through the telehealth system,” said Dr. Adekunle F. Omotayo, internal medicine physician and medical director at CHP. “It creates a new way for us to provide our patients quality care from the comfort of their homes.”
CHP’s commitment to its members’ well-being is a top priority. While prominent in the local community, CHP has also been consistently recognized on a national scale for its exceptional levels of service and quality care for its members, earning high ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
“Having access to a physician is essential during this unprecedented time, especially for our growing Medicare population. It is important that the treatment of chronic conditions, cancer screenings, and immunizations are not delayed due to the pandemic,” said Dr. Lynn Jones, internal medicine physician and associate medical director who oversees the Nancy Van Vessem, M.D., Center for Healthy Aging. “Telehealth virtual appointments are a great way for seniors to stay in contact with their physician regularly even when they may not feel safe to come into the office.”
For more information about telehealth, please visit capitalhealth.com/amwell-telehealth.