How SwiftMD works with your company:
How SwiftMD works with your company
Where is SwiftMD available?
SwiftMD is available in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to businesses and unions as a supplemental health benefit. Members must reside or be located in one of those states to obtain consultations with SwiftMD physicians. We plan to add service in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Alabama soon, and in time will offer service nationwide.
For consumers who are interested in becoming members of SwiftMD, the service is currently available only in New York state. If you are not a resident of New York, and are interested in getting on a waiting list so we can contact you when service is available in your state, please click here.
What is covered under the cost of a group plan?
Plans are customized for each company, and costs vary according to the number of members and the level of employee benefit covered.
Typically, costs are divided into registration fees, ongoing membership fees and consultation fees. Registration fees cover the cost of establishing each person’s membership and online health record. Membership fees are paid monthly and cover access to our online database, members’ patient health records, and other member tools and services. Consultation fees are charged for consultations with SwiftMD doctors.
Will my employees like SwiftMD?
Yes. With SwiftMD employees enjoy greater convenience, better access to care and more control over their healthcare dollars. What’s not to like? Employees receive a membership card and a welcome letter to introduce the advantages SwiftMD and get started using the service.
What kinds of businesses benefit from SwiftMD?
Most businesses of any size in any industry can benefit from a SwiftMD plan. It doesn’t matter if you currently self-administer, offer a traditional indemnity plan or don’t offer health benefits of any kind. We can show you how to provide an affordable, effective benefit to your employees.
SwiftMD is especially valuable if you have a healthy, tech-savvy workforce; established management program; employees who travel extensively; or the potential for high workers’ compensation rates.
Does SwiftMD work with my existing healthcare plan?
Yes. SwiftMD is not health insurance, nor merely an advice line. It’s a supplemental health benefit that provides convenient access to non-emergency medical care. SwiftMD complements whatever insurance plan you offer, or provides a high-value, stand-alone benefit. SwiftMD dovetails perfectly with consumer-directed health plans and is a qualified expense for FSAs, HRAs and HSAs.
Is use of SwiftMD covered by health insurance?
Many insurance companies have indicated that starting in 2009 or 2010 they will cover telemedicine consultations or “e-visits” via email. Contact your insurance company to find out if they will reimburse for your SwiftMD visit, or if they are considering covering telemedicine in the future.
SwiftMD costs are fully deductible from any tax-deferred medical savings accounts, including Flexible Savings Accounts (FSAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs). In some cases, consultation fees may be counted toward your insurance deductible.
Will my company save money?
Because SwiftMD is flexible and provides cost containment on the care delivery side, most companies experience significant savings. Combining SwiftMD with an HSA, High-Deductible Health Plan or other consumer directed benefit product can result in significant savings. For a 1,000-person company, annual savings can be well over $300,000 compared to traditional healthcare plans.
How does SwiftMD work?
How does the cost of SwiftMD compare to regular doctor visits?
Our $59 consultation fee compares very favorably with the average $100+ cost of a physician visit. When you add the convenience, time savings, access to your records and expertise of our physicians, there is great value to SwiftMD membership and consultations. Of course, this value is even greater if you receive SwiftMD as an employee or association benefit.
What are the benefits of the SwiftMD electronic medical record?
Our electronic medical record allows us to track and store information about your medical history. Also, unlike with most hospital and physician records, you can access your SwiftMD Personal Health Record any time you wish by logging into the SwiftMD member portal. You can also download and print your Personal Health Record for your other doctors.
How do I know SwiftMD doctors are good doctors?
Our doctors are emergency medicine specialists. Emergency medicine is ideal training for telemedicine, since our doctors deal with the broadest range of medical conditions, from relatively minor to life threatening. In addition, our doctors are carefully screened to ensure their excellence as intelligent, sympathetic and safe providers. We believe our doctors are the best you’ll find in any telemedicine company.
How do SwiftMD doctors diagnose over the phone?
SwiftMD doctors are emergency physicians, trained to diagnose a broad range of illnesses and injuries. Diagnosing most conditions depends on a carefully crafted interview process, in which a physician applies a set of logic-driven questions to determine the cause of a problem. This careful process narrows the cause down to the most likely diagnosis. At times, follow-up calls, tests and possibly referrals will be required to determine or confirm a diagnosis.
Can all of my employees and their families participate?
Anyone from age 3 to age 69 can become a SwiftMD member. Minors up to age 18 must be accompanied by their parents or guardians during consults with SwiftMD doctors.
Our physicians need to be aware of any existing and chronic illnesses, especially when there are multiple diagnoses. Occasionally, the determination will be made that telemedicine is unsafe for a patient, and he or she will be advised not to become a SwiftMD member.
Can my employees get prescriptions and refills through SwiftMD?
Yes. SwiftMD doctors can order prescriptions and can refill most prescriptions that are already in a member’s electronic health record (exceptions include some controlled substances). Prescriptions can be emailed, faxed or phoned to a local pharmacy, or ordered from an Internet pharmacy for overnight delivery.
Do my employees get a good value?
The average cost of a visit to the ER in the U.S. exceeds $1000, which is many times more than the cost a SwiftMD consultation. Our emergency-trained doctors can advise your employees if an ER visit is necessary. This benefit alone saves time and money, limits work loss and helps employees avoid the long waits and chaotic conditions of many hospital ERs.
How do I know that SwiftMD doctors will provide good care to employees?
SwiftMD is committed to providing excellent doctors to our members. Our doctors are board-certified emergency medicine specialists. Emergency medicine is ideal training for telemedicine, since our doctors deal with the broadest range of medical conditions, from relatively minor to life threatening. In addition, all our doctors are carefully screened to ensure excellent competence and track records. In fact, we’re proud to say that our doctors are the best you’ll find in any telemedicine company today.