Telemedicine and Telehealth Services

Telemedicine and Telehealth medical services and procedures are covered under some Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas PPO and HMO health care plans. If your health plan covers these services, you may get medical care from an in-network doctor or provider by mobile app, online video or phone.

It can be helpful to learn about these different offerings and costs.

In-Network Doctor Visit

Your doctor may offer telemedicine and telehealth services and procedures. Ask if this medical care is right for you.

Covered Services

Here are a few things to know about telehealth and telemedicine covered services. They:

• Depend on your health plan
• Are covered under Chapter 1455 of the Texas Insurance Code
• Are not covered under BCBSTX Small Group Plans

Virtual Visits From MDLIVE®

Your BCBSTX health care plan may also cover virtual visits with an independently contracted, board-certified MDLIVE doctor or therapist. This can happen 24 hours a day, seven days a week.^1,2

To find out if you have Virtual Visits as a benefit and use MDLIVE services:

1. Log in to your Blue Access for Members℠ account.
2. Visit the Coverage tab and look for "Virtual Visits" to check if you have Virtual Visit benefits.
3. Sign up on MDLIVE's website to get care.

Log in to Blue Access for Members

Behavioral Health Services

BCBSTX has partnered with Headway,  a provider of virtual and face to face behavioral health care.  They offer standard therapy treatments and have providers that can prescribe medications (Psychiatrists and Nurse Practitioners).  Headway uses standardized measurements for depression and anxiety that improve outcomes for treating depression and anxiety.  They have an easy to navigate scheduling solution for appointments. 

• Depression/low mood
• Anxiety/worry, including:            
  • Work anxiety
  • Family anxiety
  • School anxiety
  • Pandemic related anxiety

Costs

Telemedicine and telehealth covered services may have out-of-pocket costs. These could be copays, coinsurance or deductibles. Please review your health plan’s benefit book to see how much you’ll pay for covered services.

Questions

If you have questions on telemedicine and telehealth services or costs, please call the customer service number listed on your BCBSTX member ID card.

¹ Internet/Wi-Fi connection is needed for computer access. Data charges may apply. Check your cellular data or internet service provider’s plan for details. Virtual Visits may be limited by plan.  For providers licensed in New Mexico and the District of Columbia, Urgent Care service is limited to interactive online video; Behavior Health service requires video for the initial visit, but may use video or audio for follow-up visits, based on the provider’s clinical judgement.  Behavior Health is not available on all plans.   

² Virtual Visits, Powered by MDLIVE may not be available on all plans. Virtual Visits are subject to the terms and conditions of your benefit plan, including benefits, limitations, and exclusions. MDLIVE operates subject to state regulations and may not be available in certain states. MDLIVE is not an insurance product nor a prescription fulfillment warehouse. MDLIVE does not guarantee that a prescription will be written. MDLIVE does not prescribe DEA-controlled substances, non-therapeutic drugs and certain other drugs that may be harmful because of their potential for abuse. MDLIVE physicians reserve the right to deny care for potential misuse of services.

MDLIVE operates and administers the virtual visit program and is solely responsible for its operations and that of its contracted providers. MDLIVE and the MDLIVE logo are registered trademarks of MDLIVE, Inc. and may not be used without written permission.

Blue Cross^®, Blue Shield^® and the Cross and Shield symbols are registered service marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.