Virtual care visits for members with health plans through work
Get care when you need it with virtual care visits
If you’re a member with a UnitedHealthcare health insurance plan through your work, your benefits include coverage for virtual visits – also known as telehealth. It’s a way to talk to a health provider and get care anytime, from wherever you are, using your mobile device, tablet or computer.
Virtual care visits can be a simple and convenient way to get care, including prescriptions, if you need them. Plus, you’ll pay less than a typical office visit — and save time.
What kind of services will I get with virtual care?
Depending on your benefits, virtual care may be covered for many care needs, like virtual urgent care, virtual primary care, virtual behavioral health or virtual specialty care. Let’s go over how each type of virtual care visit works.
24/7 Virtual Visits
Get same-day care
24/7 Virtual Visits are a way to schedule same-day, urgent care visits, so you can talk with a provider 24/7 for common urgent care needs or when your primary care provider (PCP) is not available.
With a UnitedHealthcare plan, your cost for a 24/7 Virtual Visit is usually $54 or less.2
Virtual primary care
See a primary care doctor, virtually
Get regular health visits and checkups with a primary care provider (PCP), without the office visit. You can choose to see a network PCP regularly, so the same provider will take care of you over time.
Virtual primary care visits cost $99 or less.
Virtual therapy
Get caring, 1-on-1 support
Get confidential behavioral health care by talking to a psychiatrist or therapist during a virtual home visit from the safety and comfort of your home.
Check your benefits to learn more about the cost for virtual therapy.
Virtual specialty care
Access specialty care more quickly
Virtual specialty care allows you to more quickly access specialty care that's personalized for your specific care needs, such as migraine or back, joint and muscle care.
Check your benefits to see if virtual specialty care is available to you.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, you should seek appropriate emergency medical assistance such as calling “911”.
Watch a video to learn more about virtual care visits
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Virtual Visits
Virtual care FAQs
Here are 3 helpful tips to help you prepare for your Virtual Visit.
1. Choose where to do your visit
Find a place that’s:
- Quiet and away from possible interruptions
- Well-lit and free from glare, like from windows
- Comfortable, like a cozy chair or at a kitchen table
2. Get your information ready
Gather helpful information, like:
- Your UnitedHealthcare member ID card
- A list of questions you may have about symptoms, procedures or prescriptions
- Medications you’re taking, like prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements
- Your pharmacy name and address
3. Check your technology
Take a few minutes to:
- Test your internet signal to make sure it’s strong
- Charge or plug in your device (smartphone, tablet or laptop)
- Set your camera on a steady surface (instead of holding the device)
- Read the instructions from the provider. You may need to download an app or set up an account to get started.
Troubleshooting tips
- Test the audio and video on your device 10 to 15 minutes before your virtual visit
- Check that the microphone on your device is on and the volume is up (not on mute)
- Close other apps on your device to help avoid a slow internet connection
Here are the steps you’ll need to take.
- Get started. Sign in to your member account or download the UnitedHealthcare app on your mobile device to start a visit.
- Choose the type of visit. Virtual visits can be for 24/7 urgent care, primary care, specialty care or therapy.
- Choose a network provider for your visit. After you choose the provider, you’ll be directed to the provider website or app to start the visit.
- Know your costs for each type of visit. With UnitedHealthcare plans, typical costs are:
- 24/7 Virtual Visit — $542 or less
- Virtual primary care visit — $99 or less
- Virtual therapy and specialty care visits — check your plan details
The type of virtual care you choose will have different wait times. Virtual primary care and specialty care can be accessed within two business days. 24/7 Virtual Visits have an average wait time of only 10-15 minutes.
24/7 Virtual Visits and virtual primary care providers can send prescriptions3 to the pharmacy of your choice. Costs for prescription drugs are based on your pharmacy benefit and are not covered as part of the visit. You’ll only get a prescription if the doctor decides you need one.
All virtual care providers have been evaluated and selected on their ability to deliver quality care for the conditions they treat.
UnitedHealthcare requires all network providers, including virtual care providers, to comply with all applicable laws. This includes laws relating to the confidentiality of patient information. Virtual care providers determine how they meet privacy requirements. More information about security and privacy is on the virtual care providers' websites.
24/7 Virtual Visits FAQs
With most UnitedHealthcare plans through work, you have benefit coverage for 24/7 Virtual Visits when:
- You use one of the provider groups in the 24/7 Virtual Visits network.
- You’re getting care for certain non-emergency medical conditions like the flu, colds, pinkeye, rashes and fevers.
If you are a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage member, please check your plan materials or call the customer service number on your member ID card to confirm coverage.
24/7 Virtual Visits are good for:
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Abdominal pain
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Bladder / urinary tract infection
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Bronchitis
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Coughing
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Diarrhea
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Fever
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Migraine / headache
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Pinkeye
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Rash
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Seasonal flu
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Sinus problem
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Sore throat
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Stomachache
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Yeast infection
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And much more
Yes. In general, a parent or legal guardian must be present during the visit with a minor dependent who is covered under your plan
National network providers for 24/7 Virtual Visits include: Teladoc, Amwell and Doctor on Demand.
Virtual primary care FAQs
With most UnitedHealthcare plans through work, you have benefit coverage for virtual primary care visits, along with 24/7 Virtual Visits when:
- You use one of the provider groups in the virtual visits network. (Providers can be accessed through the UnitedHealthcare app.)
With virtual primary care visits you can:
- Create an ongoing relationship with a primary care provider (PCP).
- Be seen for preventive care, common and chronic health conditions (Diabetes, Heart Disease, follow-up visits and more)
If you are a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage member, please check your plan materials or call the customer service number on your member ID card to confirm coverage.
You can use virtual primary care to talk to a provider online about non-urgent medical care that’s covered by your health plan. A virtual primary care provider may help with:
- Preventive care (Annual wellness visits)
- Care for common and chronic health conditions (like diabetes, heart disease and more)
- Personalized referrals to specialists and labs
- Prescriptions and refills of medications
- Follow-up visits
Virtual primary care is available for members over the age of 18 years old.
No. Virtual primary care is only available to members over the age of 18 years old. Dependents over the age of 18 can use virtual primary care through their own member account.
Sign in to your member account or use the UnitedHealthcare app to schedule a virtual primary care visit if it's covered under your benefift plan. Once you’ve signed in to your member account, you can set up a virtual primary care appointment using our online scheduling system that’s available anytime. Virtual primary care video appointments are available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time.
You will pay the amount shown as "Your Cost" on the virtual primary care screen prior to the start of your visit. The cost may be applied toward your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum, depending on your plan. You can use a credit, debit or Health Savings Account (HSA) debit card.
The national network provider for virtual primary care is Galileo Health.
You can call the number on your health plan ID card for more information.
Our virtual primary care network provider, Galileo Health, offers care in English and Spanish. Translator services are available for other languages.
Virtual specialty care FAQs
Virtual specialist care is delivered by carefully selected specialist providers who are trained to deliver virtual care for specific conditions or areas of focus. These virtual specialist providers meet quality care standards and offer personalized care plans to meet your needs. This care may be through video, phone, chat, or email depending on your care need.
Virtual therapy (virtual behavioral health care) FAQs
When you use one of the provider groups in our virtual visits network for a mental health visit, it may be covered if you have UnitedHealthcare mental health benefits. Check your plan documents for more information about your plan’s specific benefits. In addition, if you have Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefits, please contact your EAP provider for coverage and network related questions.
You can use virtual therapy (Behavioral Health Care) to talk to a health provider online about mental health care that’s covered by your health plan. You can use virtual therapy to get care for:
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Anxiety
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Bipolar disorder
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Burnout
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Depression
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Grief
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Headaches
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Insomnia
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Mood swings
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Panic attacks
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Personality disorder
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Phobias
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Physical abuse
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PTSD
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Sleep disorders
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Stress
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Substance use
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Trauma
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Workplace issues
From the privacy of home, you can receive support from a licensed therapist. This care includes:
- Private video sessions for 1-on-1 support — in your home and at a time that’s convenient for you.
- Help with coping — for children, teens and adults. Your licensed therapist may provide a diagnosis, treatment and medication if needed.
- Appointments with the same therapist with each visit — so you can establish an ongoing relationship.
Ready to start a virtual care visit?
Set up a member account if you don’t already have one or sign in to get started.