Save Money, Save Time, See a Doctor Online with Amwell

 Let’s face it. Seeing a doctor can be both expensive and time consuming. That is especially the case when it’s an unexpected visit for a sudden illness or injury. It’s especially frustrating when often times we know from prior experience that treatment will likely be simple, but a doctor is required to confirm a diagnosis and also to prescribe medication to make us better.

Plus, it’s not always convenient or easy to get to the doctor when you or your kids need to. Working around work and school schedules or dealing with childcare or transportation issues add to the difficulty. I know that when I was working a 9-5 job it was especially hard to get out of MY office during the same hours the doctor’s office was open. Weekends can be even more difficult to get in to see a doctor.

And, if you’re a mom with young children who gets sick and needs to get to the doctor, it can be a big ordeal to get yourself to the doctor’s office while bringing the kids along. To top it off, when you’re sick and not feeling well, the last thing you want to do is get up, get dressed and drive yourself to the doctor’s office!

That’s where Amwell comes in. It lets you connect with medical providers, immediately, from the comfort of your own home or office. There is no need to call ahead or wait for a provider to see you – you simply log on to your iPhone or iPad. On the 4th of July we were at my Mom’s house when my sister started having pain and redness in her eye. It got to the point where she knew she had to do something about it, but it was the 4th of July. Of course her doctor wasn’t available on a holiday and my mom doesn’t live anywhere near anyplace that could see her on a holiday. Luckily, I already knew about Amwell. She used her smartphone to get in contact with a doctor. In a matter of minutes the doctor was able to diagnose that my sister had conjunctivitis and sent in a prescription directly to the drug store nearest my mom’s house. She picked up her prescription right away and was on her way to a complete recovery. She was so happy I suggested she use Amwell and we will both turn to it in the future.

No matter whether you choose to use Amwell online or through the mobile app, you’ll be connected with a doctor who is local and licensed in your state of residence. The standard visit is scheduled for 10 minutes, but you can add time if you find it necessary. An Amwell visit is very similar to an in-office visit. The doctor can review your medical history, answer questions, make diagnoses, offer treatment and prescribe medication (in states where allowed). If a prescription is made, it will be sent straight to your pharmacy. Very handy!

Amwell also offers visits with therapists and nutritionists. This is a convenient way to have questions answered and consult with a professional on mental health issues or your nutrition. Privacy is paramount for Amwell and it is a secure, private, HIPPA compliant way to get the medical services you need. Amwell is accepted by many major insurance carriers, and more are being added every day. Enter your health insurance information when you log in for a lower cost visit.

I think my sister was as surprised as I was the first time I used Amwell at how easy the app is to use. It takes just a few minutes to set it up and be ready to talk with a doctor face to face right over a smartphone. With that face-to-face contact, I felt like I had my doctor’s complete attention and my sister said the same about her visit. We both felt assured we were receiving the same treatment we would in a doctor’s office, but it was much more comfortable because we were at home or, in my sister’s case, at Mom’s house.

Amwell has grown a lot since I first used it last year and it is positioning itself to be ‘the Amazon of health care’. Check out this article about Amwell in the Wall Street Journal.

Cost: An Amwell session costs only $49. Some insurance companies and employers cover telehealth visits. For those instances, Amwell offers a printable receipt that you can use for insurance reimbursement.

Try it for $1: Ready to give Amwell a try? Use the codeTELEVISIT18 to get your first visit for only $1.