subject: How To Use Your Health Savings Account To Get Affordable Medical Care Via Phone and Email by:Wiley Long [print this page] Healthcare is becoming increasingly expensive and inconvenient. Just to get a basic prescription or an answer to a health-related question, people have traditionally needed to take time away from work in order to spend hours waiting in a doctor's office. Many individuals are able to use their tax-deductible Health Savings Accounts to cover the cost of doctor's visits, but the visits are still costly and time consuming.
This traditional method of obtaining healthcare not only robs people of their valuable time, but it's unduly inconvenient and unnecessary. Thanks to a new program developed by private health insurance providers, members of many health insurance programs can have fast and affordable email or phone access to board-certified medical personnel who can answer their health-related questions and even write some prescriptions, saving consumers more time and money than ever. Plus, the new program allows individuals to use funds from their Health Savings Accounts to finance the improved service.
Why Phone and Email Access to Healthcare Providers is Important
The U.S. government is well on its way to developing plans for nationalizing its healthcare programs. However, in nations where healthcare programs are already nationalized, citizens have decreased access to medical care and fast medical care is unaffordable for most people. There's no doubt that change is needed across the U.S. healthcare spectrum, but the proposed solutions may have a serious, and potentially adverse, impact on healthcare access for many Americans.
Thanks to the growth of consumer-driven technology, consumers can find products and answers easier and faster than ever. From answers to questions about taxes to products available in one-click shopping outlets, nearly everything under the sun can be found online with the click of just a few buttons... except for answers to critical healthcare questions and access to healthcare consultation services.
Healthcare Answers Have Traditionally Been Expensive
Even with the plethora of health-related Web sites providing answers to a multitude of health-related questions, if you want one-on-one interaction with a healthcare professional, traditionally, you'd have to call the doctor's office, schedule an appointment, and take time out of your day to actually visit with your doctor in person. In fact, nearly 70 percent of all visits to the emergency room are considered to be informational, according to the American Medical Association.
This traditional method of uncovering answers to your health-related questions is not only time-consuming, but it's also expensive. Even while these visits may be covered by HSA plans, because of the high cost of a doctor's visit, patients traditionally have to spend more money than is necessary just to receive answers to basic questions.
Healthcare Revolution Increases Access to Healthcare Provider Availability
Thanks to the ever-evolving communication technologies, healthcare providers are striving to make it easier and more convenient than ever to speak with a healthcare professional about issues related to your healthcare needs. This healthcare revolution is designed to meet the consumer demand for decreased prices and greater availability across the country. Plus, the service is covered by members of participating HSA programs.
The fact of the matter is that many health-related questions can be answered with a simple phone call or email to a healthcare professional. By calling or emailing a professional, healthcare costs can be less expensive and customers can save valuable time and convenience while getting the answers they need.
However, the majority of health insurance companies will not reimburse their customers for their phone consultations with healthcare professionals. Therefore, many healthcare professionals do not provide phone consultations and when they do, many consumers cannot afford to use them.
Private Member Benefits of Some Health Insurance Providers
Thanks to the efforts by many private health insurance providers, members are able to take advantage of program designed to let them consult with a doctor via phone under an HSA plan. All of the medical professionals are board-certified and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with no waiting period or access denial.
Whether consumers are having an emergency or simply want more information about a medical situation, they can get the answers they're looking for quickly and conveniently so that they can spend more time getting betterand save money. Plus, board-certified physicians will be available to prescribe many medications, which will eliminate your need to pay hundreds of dollars for just one visit to the doctor.
For just a few dollars a month, members can consult with a doctor about up to five family members through a phone call or email. Members will receive unlimited email access to a board-certified doctor and an immediately phone consultation. If a member wishes to have a comprehensive phone consultation, the member may pay only a small amount extra, which may be deductible from an HSA.
No matter what questions members have about their health, this convenient and affordable program provides an excellent way for members to get the answers they need fast and is suitable for all ages, locations, and income levels.
About the author
Wiley Long - President, HSA for America (http://www.health--savings--accounts.com) - The nation's leading independent health insurance firm specializing in individual and family coverage that work with Health Savings Accounts.
