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Important money-saving tip |
| For any care, you’ll want to make sure you use an in-network provider or facility. You can find one by checking Provider Finder® or calling a Personal Health Guide, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 1-866-355-5999 for help. |
It’s important to know where to go to get the right kind of in-network care and the highest level of benefits. Don’t spend more than you have to. Here’s information about some of the places you can get care covered by your TRS-ActiveCare plan.
Need a checkup, routine health exam, regular screening, or follow-up? Make an appointment with your doctor. You can also head to your doctor’s office for fever, colds, flu, sore throat, stomach aches, and other types of non-emergency medical care.
Here are the benefits of seeing your regular doctor whenever possible: Your doctor and any specialists you already see, know your health history, the medications you take, and your lifestyle. They can decide if you need tests or additional care and help you monitor chronic health issues like asthma or diabetes.
Can’t get an appointment right away with your doctor? Walk-in retail clinics are a low-cost option for less serious health issues like infections, minor injuries or pain, and strep throat. Many of these clinics offer extended hours, so you may be able to be seen on weekends or at night.
Your coverage also includes TRS Virtual Health powered by Teladoc® and RediMDTM. With this cost-effective care option, you can make an appointment with a board-certified doctor or therapist and be seen online or over the phone. Doctors are available 24/7.
Need immediate attention or services like X-rays or stitches but don’t have life-threatening symptoms? Urgent care centers are convenient and more affordable than ERs for conditions like cuts that need stitches, migraines or headaches, back pain, sprains or strains, animal bites, rashes, or tolerable pain. Some urgent care centers even offer online check-in so you can avoid sitting in the waiting room.
For life-threatening symptoms, call 911 or immediately go to the nearest hospital ER. Examples include heart problems or a heart attack, chest pain, stroke, breathing problems, heavy bleeding, broken bones, and sudden or severe pain.
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You have two additional options for care with your TRS-ActiveCare plan that are convenient and affordable: telemedicine and the 24/7 Nurseline. These options allow you to get care without even leaving your home. |
Telemedicine—You can use telemedicine for non-emergency medical and behavioral health visits with your current providers. Check with your primary care provider and specialists to make sure they offer care online or over the phone. These visits are covered at no cost through the end of 2020, making telemedicine an even more cost-effective choice. Check your Summary of Benefits and Coverage for more details. 24/7 Nurseline—Staffed by registered nurses, the 24/7 Nurseline is a great resource to help you determine if you need to go to the ER or to your doctor. Call 1-833-968-1770 to speak to a health professional, anytime, day or night. Data shows 75% of those who used the 24/7 Nurseline were guided to a more appropriate level of care, and 95% were able to avoid the ER or other more expensive types of care. |
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Avoid Freestanding ERs
Freestanding ERs have been popping up all over Texas, so there might be one right down the street from you. But that doesn’t make them the right choice when you need help. While freestanding ERs look like urgent care centers, their price tags can be shocking.
Freestanding ERs are typically out of network, so you may be responsible for paying the entire cost of your care. How much are we talking about? Take a look at a couple of eye-opening statistics from a previous plan year:
Freestanding ERs are also not typically equipped for trauma, which means you’ll have to be transported to a hospital if they can’t treat you. Not only could that be dangerous if it delays your care, but you’ll also have to pay for care at multiple facilities, not to mention the ambulance ride.
Here’s how to spot a Freestanding ER:
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Download the BCBSTX App Text* BCBSTXAPP to 33633 or search in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to:
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*Fees may apply.
For medical emergencies, call 911. The 24/7 Nurseline is not a substitute for a doctor’s care. Talk to your doctor about any health questions or concerns.
Teladoc and the Teladoc logo are trademarks of Teladoc, Inc. and may not be used without written permission. Teladoc is being provided to TRS-ActiveCare members and members of the plans administered by TRS-ActiveCare. Teladoc and Teladoc physicians are independent contractors and are neither agents nor employees of TRS-ActiveCare or plans administered by TRS-ActiveCare. Teladoc is not available in all states. Teladoc does not replace the primary care physician. Teladoc does not guarantee that a prescription will be written. Teladoc operates subject to state regulation and may not be available in certain states. Teladoc does not prescribe DEA controlled substances, non-therapeutic drugs, and certain other drugs which may be harmful because of their potential for abuse. Teladoc physicians reserve the right to deny care for potential misuse of services.
Teladoc is an independent company that operates and administers the virtual visit’s program for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Teladoc is solely responsible for its operations and those of its contracted providers. BCBSTX makes no endorsement, representations, or warranties regarding third-party vendors such as Teladoc.
Virtual and telephonic visits are powered by exclusive software own and operated by RediMD. It is important to verify and understand the terms and conditions of your benefit plan. Terms and conditions may apply based on plan design with limitations and exclusions. Virtual and telephonic services provided are not to be accepted as a health plan or act as a pharmacy distributor or prescription manager. RediMD reserves to sole right to deny care when it believes the risk of possible abuse is present. A virtual visit with RediMD does not provide assurances prescription orders will be issued, and RediMD does not prescribe DEA-controlled substances, non-therapeutic drugs, or drugs that may be harmful or lead to abuse. RediMD operates in many different states and is subject to regulatory rules and jurisdictional limitations. RediMD solely controls oversight and program management, including contracted providers, of the virtual medicine services provided. RediMD and the RediMD logo are registered trademarks of RediMD LLC and may not be used without written permission.
RediMD is an independent company that operates and administers the virtual visit’s program for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. RediMD is solely responsible for its operations and those of its contracted providers. BCBSTX makes no endorsement, representations, or warranties regarding third-party vendors such as RediMD. Members should contact the vendor directly with questions about the products or services offered by third parties.
