Apr 17, 2023
Effective with July 1, 2023, renewals, UnitedHealthcare will eliminate out-of-pocket costs for 24/7 Virtual Visits for eligible members enrolled in applicable fully insured, employer-sponsored plans. This offers plan participants a more affordable and convenient option to access care for non-emergency medical issues.
The new coverage enhancement goes into effect with fully insured plans renewing effective July 1, 2023, and afterward, and includes an option for employers with self-funded plans to adopt a similar policy for their employees. Additional fully insured plans will gain access starting in 2024.
Eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for 24/7 Virtual Visits may help reduce the burden of medical costs for consumers and encourage earlier interventions, which can reduce the risk of complications and avoid visits to costlier settings such as the emergency room. The coverage enhancement will apply to most fully insured health plans with and without a health savings account (HSA) through at least the end of plan year 2024, as allowed by current federal regulations.
The coverage enhancement is part of UnitedHealthcare's efforts to help people to use technology to access quality care at a lower cost, bolstered by an annual enterprise-wide investment of over $5 billion in data, technology, research and innovation.
With 24/7 Virtual Visits, members can connect on demand to a doctor by phone or video through myuhc.com® or the UnitedHealthcare app, including national care providers such as Optum Virtual Care. Doctors can treat a wide range of health conditions, from flu and pink eye to migraines and more, and may prescribe medication as needed. 24/7 Virtual Visits may treat many of the same conditions as an ER or urgent care, offering a more convenient and affordable alternative — particularly at night or on weekends when many primary care providers are usually unavailable.
For more information, please contact your Amwins Connect Regional Sales Manager.
