Have you ever considered using telehealth services? Most consumers are open to the idea, a recent survey shows.&nbsp;
The survey was conducted by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) partner American Well<super>&reg;</super> (AmWell), a national leader in virtual care. Most of the people surveyed said they were aware that telehealth is convenient, provides fast service, and saves money.
A sizable number of those who took the survey said they weren&rsquo;t sure if their insurance plan covers telehealth. If you&rsquo;re wondering whether your health plan does, the answer is probably yes. Most people who have health insurance through BCBSAZ have access to telehealth services.*&nbsp;
Here are four key findings from the survey:
<ol>
 <li>Telehealth offers convenience and cost savings. Among those who were open to using telehealth, 61% percent said they would use it for convenience and faster service, and 54% said they would use it to save money. Of note, 25% said they would switch from their current primary care physician to one who offers video visits. 
 
 </li>
 <li>Younger adults love the technology. Motivated by convenience, millennials lead the way in telehealth usage. Nearly three-quarters of 18- to 34-year-olds said they are willing to use telehealth. (Almost as many 35- to 44-year-olds also said they are willing.) Compared with other age groups, millennials were nearly three times as likely to have had a video visit with a doctor. In addition, nearly 40% of millennials said they would regularly use telehealth for behavioral health management. That&rsquo;s also higher than any other age group. 
 
 </li>
 <li>Older adults love the speed of service. Nobody wants to wait longer than necessary for care. That&rsquo;s certainly true of older adults. Of the seniors who said they were willing to try telehealth, 73% were motivated by faster service. They favored that advantage of telehealth more than any other age group. Medicare Advantage plan members will see more reimbursement for telehealth services in 2020. That means more opportunities to use telehealth to manage chronic conditions and for prescription renewals. 
 
 </li>
 <li>Usual costs and wait times are delaying care. Of those surveyed, 70% said they had delayed seeking care for a health problem. The most common reason was that they &ldquo;thought the problem would go away.&rdquo; The second and third most common reasons were that it &ldquo;takes too long to see [the] doctor&rdquo; and &ldquo;cost.&rdquo; Telehealth addresses both of those obstacles.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
The AmWell survey shows that consumers see the value of telehealth. People want to use it for a variety of reasons, such as urgent care, behavioral health, and chronic care management. The survey results suggest that the future of telehealth is bright in Arizona.&nbsp;
To schedule your first (or next) telehealth appointment, visit <a href="https://www.azblue.com/misc/member/blue-care-anywhere/blue-care-anywhere" target="_blank">BlueCare Anywhere</a>. You can sign in on a computer or mobile device. Then, you can have a live virtual visit with a board-certified medical professional anytime, anywhere.&nbsp;
Want more information? Learn about the <a href="https://www.azblue.com/misc/member/blue-care-anywhere/blue-care-anywhere" target="_blank">common health issues</a> that can be easily treated using telehealth.&nbsp; 
 
*The following BCBSAZ plans do not cover telehealth services: Blue Medicare Advantage Classic, Blue Medicare Advantage Plus, Blue Medicare Advantage Standard, Individual Suite E Plans, and some group plans. If you receive your health insurance from your employer, please contact your group benefits administrator for telehealth coverage details.&nbsp;
For those with a health insurance plan that does not cover virtual care, affordable telehealth visits are available directly through <a href="https://bluecareanywhereaz.com/landing.htm" target="_blank">BlueCare Anywhere</a>.

Telehealth Shows Promise in Arizona’s Healthcare Future

According to a recent survey by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) partner, American Well&reg; (AmWell), a national leader in virtual care, roughly 7 out of 10 Americans are open to using telehealth. They say they value and recognize telehealth for its convenience, fast service and cost savings.