While you're making plans for the holidays, there's one important thing you should consider: where to go for care. Getting sick or injured while you're out of town – or your doctor is – can add another challenge to an already-busy time.
These tips and tricks can help you prepare so you can get care with your TRS health plan when you need it.
- Check your Primary Care Provider's holiday hours ahead of time. That way, you'll know when the office is closed. Be sure to ask your PCP if they're referring patients to another doctor while they're out.
- Register for TRS Virtual Health now. TRS health plans offer virtual care options, so registering in advance can save you time if you need to get medical care in a hurry.
- Watch out for freestanding ERs. They're almost always out of network, so your care will be expensive. Freestanding ERs often lack true emergency facilities, so you may have to be transported to a real ER. This can dangerously delay your care and double your costs.
When you have a sudden health need that isn't an emergency and you can't see your primary care provider (PCP), you have other options for care through your TRS health plan.
Resources for TRS-Active Care and TRS-Care Standard
Teladoc™
General medical conditions treated by Teladoc include allergies, blood pressure, cold, cough, flu, headaches, sore throat and more. Teladoc also offers confidential mental health services from a licensed therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist or certified drug and alcohol abuse counselor.
For more information and to register for Teladoc, you can:
- Go to www.teladoc.com/trsactivecare or www.teladoc.com/trscarestandard and follow the instructions to set up your account.
- Download the Teladoc mobile app from the Apple Store or Google Play Store.
- Call 1-855-Teladoc (1-855-835-2362) to speak to a representative, who'll walk you through registration on the phone.
RediMD™
RediMD treats general medical conditions including allergies, blood pressure, cold, cough, flu, headaches, sore throat and more.
For more information and to set up your account, you can:
- Go to www.redimd.com/trsactivecare or www.redimd.com/trscarestandard and follow the instructions to register. Enter the code trsactivecare or trscarestandard when prompted.
- Call 1-855-942-4900 to speak to RediMD customer service.
Provider FInder ®
Use Provider Finder ® to find another provider near you. Search by zip code, name, gender, specialty and more. Download the BCBSTX App to find a provider right from your phone. With the app, you can also:
- see your deductible and out-of-pocket information
- get your digital ID card
- get prescription or pharmacy information
Personal Health Guides
Connect with a Personal Health Guide by phone. Call 1-866-355-5999 anytime, day or night for help finding an in-network provider or facility. A PHG can also help you:
- get cost estimates for procedures and services
- schedule an appointment with a provider
- explain charges on your bill
- help with a referral or prior authorization
"Where to Go for Care” Checklist
Use this handy “Where to go for care” checklist. Fill it out with your nearest facilities and save it to your files or print it out and hang it on your refrigerator. This will save you time so you can get care quickly when you need it.
Emergency Room
In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest ER. Your TRS-ActiveCare plan always covers true emergency care at the in-network level.
Resources for TRS-Care Medicare
24/7 Nurse Support
Helps make your health decisions simple and convenient while providing:
- Quick answers to your health questions any time, anywhere
- Access to registered nurses with clinical experience
- Information to guide your health care decisions
Call 1-877-365-7949, TTY 711, any time for health information and support — all at no additional cost to you.
Virtual Doctor Visit
See a doctor anytime using live video chat from your computer, tablet or smartphone. With Virtual Doctor Visits, you can ask questions, get a diagnosis or even get medication prescribed and have it sent to your pharmacy. All you need is a strong internet connection. Consider setting up an account with a Virtual Doctor Visit provider so you're ready when it's time to make an appointment.
Ways to access Virtual Doctor Visits:
1. On your computer, visit uhcvirtualvisits.com and click on Choose a Medical Provider
2. On your tablet or smartphone:
- Download the American Well app
- Download the Doctor on Demand app
- Download the Teladoc app or call 1-855-615-8335 to set up an account and request a visit by phone
Urgent Care
For a sudden or more urgent health need that isn't an emergency, an urgent care facility may be an option. Urgent care may be quicker than the emergency room and may have convenient locations with extended hours. It may cost less too (depending on what tests or screenings might be needed.)
Urgent care centers can treat sprains or strains, fractured bones (such as a finger), a fever or strep throat, minor cuts, burns or bites. These are examples and not a complete list.
Emergency Room
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you think your health is at serious risk by waiting to get care.
If you need help finding a provider or have questions about your benefits, please call UnitedHealthcare at 1-866-347-9507, TTY 711, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. CT, Monday – Friday. You can also search for providers online by signing in to retiree.uhc.com/TRS-CareMA.