If you're feeling sick or have tested positive for COVID-19, one of the safest ways to find out what medical care you may need is by phone or video while staying at home. This is called "telehealth."
If a telehealth provider determines that you should receive prescription medication for COVID-19 treatment, they can send a prescription to your local pharmacy or help you get a prescription filled through the mail.
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Many medical services can be provided through telehealth. They include:
- Screening, testing, or treatment for COVID-19
- Treatment for other medical conditions
- Treatment for a mental health or substance use issue, emotional crisis, or stress
How you get telehealth depends on your health insurance.
- If you have regular Medicare, but are not enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, visit the healthcare and coverage page to learn about options available to you.
- If you have Medi-Cal (but are not enrolled in a Medi-Cal managed care health plan), or you do not have insurance, call Medi-Nurse, a 24/7 nurse advice line, at 1‑877‑409‑9052. You can speak directly with a health professional about your symptoms and get advice for further treatment in your area.
- If you have private insurance, a Medi-Cal health plan, or a Medicare Advantage health plan, the simplest way to get treated over the phone is to call your doctor or regular provider.
- You should not have to pay more for telehealth than you would for an in-person visit. Some health plans or providers may waive the copay.
Regardless of your insurance, you can get access to emotional support:
If you have tried to get telehealth through your regular provider and health plan, and still have difficulty accessing services, you can call the following:
- For private health plans, call the state Department of Managed Health Care's Help Center at 1‑888‑466‑2219.
- For Medi-Cal, call the state Department of Health Care Service's Help Center at 1‑800‑541‑5555.
Originally published on June 15, 2022