Frequently Asked Questions
For more information or for any questions not listed, feel free to call Blue Cross of Idaho, toll-free at (888) 920-2975.
- What is MDLIVE?
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MDLIVE is a mobile app that lets you access a doctor from your home, office, or on the go – 24/7/365. Board-certified doctors can visit with you by phone or secure video to help treat non-emergency medical conditions. He or she can diagnose your symptoms, prescribe medication and send prescriptions to your pharmacy. If you are in Idaho, your consultation must be through video.*
- Is MDLIVE appropriate for every medical condition?
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No. MDLIVE is designed to handle non-emergency medical issues. You should not use MDLIVE if you are experiencing a medical emergency. In case of a medical life-threatening emergency, you should dial 911 immediately. While MDLIVE is not intended to replace your primary care provider for common or chronic conditions, a virtual doctor’s appointment can sometimes substitute a doctor’s office, urgent care or an emergency room visit.
- What are the most common conditions you treat?
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Our doctors are trained to treat a wide range of conditions. Some of the most common are:
• Acne
• Allergies
• Constipation
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Ear Problems
• Fever *
• Flu
• Headache
• Insect Bites
• Nausea
• Pink Eye
• Rash
• Respiratory Problems
• Sore Throats
• Urinary problems/UTI
• Vaginitis
• Vomiting
- How do I sign up for MDLIVE and activate my MDLIVE account?
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You can easily sign up and activate your account by using one the following methods:
- Go online and visit: https://www.mdlive.com/bcidaho
- Call our toll free number: (888) 920-2975
- Download our Mobile App, available on the App Store® and Google Play™.
- When can I start using my MDLIVE service?
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You can start using MDLIVE immediately after you sign up and activate your account. Sign up and activation are totally free. You will be asked for your credit card information when you schedule the visit with a doctor, but it will not be charged until the appointment is over. Once you have an MDLIVE account, you can browse doctor profiles, view available appointment times, and schedule an appointment with the doctor of your choice. Want to go one step further? Be sure to fill out your medical history profile to better prepare your MDLIVE doctor for your appointment.
- When is MDLIVE available?
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MDLIVE is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, even on holidays. Use MDLIVE anytime you have a non-emergency medical condition, are unable to see your primary care provider, or when you simply prefer a convenient, cost-effective alternative to the emergency room, urgent care center or clinic.
- Where is MDLIVE available?
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MDLIVE is available anywhere in the United States**. Our network of board-certified providers will be provided to you based on the state you are located. We make sure that each provider is fully licensed to practice medicine in your state.
- How much does it cost to use MDLIVE?
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The cost is determined by your health benefits and whether you’ve met your deductible. If you are required to pay, you will be asked for your credit card information when you make the appointment but it will not be charged until the end of the appointment. MDLIVE accepts most major credit and debit cards.
- Can MDLIVE be accessed on mobile devices?
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Yes, MDLIVE can be accessed on most mobile devices with an internet connection. Our MDLIVE Mobile App is available for download in the App Store® and the Google Play Store™.
- Who are the MDLIVE providers?
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All MDLIVE providers are U.S. Board Certified and able to treat a wide range of patients and conditions.
Following each consultation, our members are given a survey to evaluate their provider and appointment.
The results are analyzed and reviewed for quality assurance and used as part of our continuous improvement process. Selected provider consultations are also reviewed by our internal medical board.
- Can a provider prescribe medication as part of an MDLIVE visit?
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Yes, if the MDLIVE provider believes medication is warranted, he or she can write a prescription for non-narcotic medications (i.e. no controlled substances), which can be sent directly to the pharmacy of your choice.* As soon your consultation is over, your prescription will be sent electronically to one of over 65,000 pharmacies to choose from. If for any reason your pharmacy is unable to receive e-prescriptions, a traditional prescription is generated for our providers to sign and fax. All prescriptions are fully compliant and include all required information.
- Is MDLIVE safe and private?
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Yes, MDLIVE is safe and private. MDLIVE is compliant with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and will only share your information with your selected provider and pharmacy.
- What system requirements do I need for MDLIVE videoconferencing?
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To use video conferencing you need:
- Windows®7, Vista, or XP
- A Mac running OSX 10.6 (Snow Leopard) or superior.
- Highspeed internet connection
- A webcam with at least 1.3 megapixels
- Microphone (most webcams already have microphone built in)
After you set up an account, you will be able to use a simple online simulation to test your configuration and check if you are ready for a virtual consultation.
- I have a question that isn’t listed here. Can you help me?
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Don’t see your question? Don’t worry. Just call us at (888) 920-2975. We have highly trained health service specialists standing by to take your call, 24/7/365.
Behavioral Health
- What is teletherapy?
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Teletherapy is a new way to get care. You can see a licensed therapist and have an online video therapy session/visit, on your schedule, from wherever you're located. Our HIPAA-compliant teletherapy service is easy to use and requires no special hardware.
- What are the common issues we treat?
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- Child Behavior & Learning Issues
- Coping With Loss & Grief
- Financial Hardship
- Marital Problems
- Parenting Counseling & Advice
- Problems at Work
- Stresses & Challenges of Everyday Life
- Who will be helping me?
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MDLIVE gives you access to only the most trustworthy professionals. Our therapists are all licensed and thoroughly screened. You can browse our network of therapists, read their profiles, check their credentials, and choose the therapist with whom you would like to speak.
- When can I talk to my therapist?
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You can talk to your therapist when it’s convenient for you - during your lunch hour, evenings and weekends, or while your kids are sleeping. With MDLIVE, you no longer need to rearrange your schedule or travel to an office to meet with a therapist.
- Does teletherapy work just as well as face-to-face sessions?
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Teletherapy works just as well, if not better, than face-to-face sessions; but don’t take our word for it! Numerous studies have shown that teletherapy is effective. In a 2013 study conducted by the University of Zurich, 57 percent of online participants completed the course depression-free, compared to only 42 percent of participants who saw a therapist in person.
- Is teletherapy right for me?
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Teletherapy is a great option if you’re seeking a convenient, effective and affordable way to get care. When you’re traveling or if you’re just too busy to make regular office visits, teletherapy makes getting care easy. Our therapists can help you identify problems in your life, pursue practical solutions to those problems, and navigate any obstacles that come up along the way. We also have professionals that specialize in more specific issues, such as: stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, marriage counseling, LBGT issues, parenting, and more.
- How much does it cost to use MDLIVE?
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The cost is determined by your health benefits and whether you’ve met your deductible. If you are required to pay, you will be asked for your credit card information when you make the appointment but it will not be charged until the end of the appointment. MDLIVE accepts most major credit and debit cards.
- How do I connect with my therapist?
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You can connect with a therapist through secure video.
Once you get to the MDLIVE home page, you can start looking for a therapist that is licensed in the state where you’re located. You can filter therapist profiles by gender, language or specialty. In each of the therapists’ profiles you will find their credentials, specialties and schedules of available appointment times.
Once you choose the therapist with whom you would like to speak, you can schedule the appointment time that works best for you. If you haven’t created an MDLIVE account yet, you will be asked to create a profile. You will then confirm your payment and your appointment time.
If you are seeing a therapist by video, you will log on to MDLIVE at your scheduled appointment time, and the website will direct you to begin a secure video visit with your therapist. You may need to complete a one-time download of our secure video application.
If you have any issues setting up your account, our care coordinators are available to answer any questions 24/7/365 at 1-888-920-2975.
- I am afraid that I am going to hurt myself or others. Can I talk to someone at MDLIVE?
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If you have feelings that you may want to hurt yourself or someone else, please dial 911 or call the crisis counselors available 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), where you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area.
MDLIVE, INC. NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER:
MDLIVE is an Internet-based service allowing individuals to select and interact with independent healthcare and behavioral health professionals. MDLIVE does not provide healthcare or behavioral health services.. MDLIVE is not an insurance product or a prescription fulfillment warehouse. MDLIVE is not intended to replace a personal relationship with a medical or behavioral healthcare provider. No statement is intended to imply that any person should seek services or treatment or that MDLIVE should be used in place of treatment recommended by a healthcare professional. MDLIVE operates subject to state and federal regulation and all or some of its products or services may not be available in certain states. MDLIVE does not guarantee that a prescription will be written. MDLIVE does not prescribe DEA controlled substances, non-therapeutic drugs, drugs of concern and certain other drugs which may be harmful because of their potential for abuse. MDLIVE makes no representations, warranties, or guarantees about the efficacy, appropriateness or suitability of any products, procedures, prescriptions, treatments, services, advice, opinions, healthcare professionals or any other information contained on or available through MDLIVE.MDLIVE reserves the right in its sole discretion to deny access for potential misuse of services or any other misconduct. MDLIVE and the MDLIVE logo are registered trademarks of MDLIVE, Inc. and may not be used without permission. For complete terms of use visit
mdlive.com/bcidaho/terms_of_use
Disclaimers
* Please note: Some state laws require that a doctor can only prescribe medication in certain situations and subject to certain limitations.
* MDLIVE physicians may not treat any children with urinary symptoms.
* Parents/guardian will be required to complete a different medical history disclosure form for children under the age of 36-months prior to making an appointment with an MDLIVE physician. Children under 36 months who present with fever must be referred to their pediatrician (medical home), child-friendly urgent care center or emergency department for clinical evaluation and care.
MDLIVE does not replace the primary care physician. MDLIVE is not an insurance product nor a prescription fulfillment warehouse. MDLIVE operates subject to state regulation and may not be available in certain states. MDLIVE does not guarantee that a prescription will be written. MDLIVE does not prescribe DEA controlled substances, non-therapeutic drugs and certain other drugs which may be harmful because of their potential for abuse. MDLIVE physicians reserve the right to deny care for potential misuse of services. MDLIVE and the MDLIVE logo are registered trademarks of MDLIVE, Inc. and may not be used without written permission. For complete terms of use visit
mdlive.com/bcidaho/terms_of_use
MDLIVE Prescription Policy
Doctors providing consultations for MDLIVE members offer prescriptions for a wide range of products that deliver direct medicinal value. These include, but are not limited to, drug classes such as antibiotics and antihistamines.
It is important to note that MDLIVE is not a drug fulfillment warehouse. In the event a doctor does prescribe medication, he/she will usually limit the supply to no more than thirty days. Patients with chronic illnesses should visit their primary care doctors or other specialists for extended care. MDLIVE doctors do not issue prescriptions for substances controlled by the DEA, for non-therapeutic use, and/or those which may be harmful (potential for abuse or addiction). For a current list of DEA controlled substances, visit http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/
** In Arkansas and Idaho; an initial visit must be completed via video. After an initial visit, subsequent consultations may be completed via phone.