The key terms below may define places to get services and their specific advantages.
Note: This material is provided for informational use only and should not be construed as medical advice or used in place of consulting a licensed medical professional. You should consult with your doctor to determine what is right for you.
Telehealth
Virtual visits, sometimes called telehealth or telemedicine, make it easy to access care from a healthcare provider via a secure video or phone appointment from your home or on the go.
A virtual visit may be less expensive than an in-person visit, and during the current coronavirus pandemic, it may often be the safest way to seek nonemergency care. Doctors may even be able to prescribe medication. Many Humana plans cover virtual visits for both medical and behavioral health issues. Sign in to MyHumana.com to see if your plan has these benefits.
Doctor
Your primary care doctor is always your first choice, unless it’s an emergency. In fact, visiting your doctor for a preventive care checkup, covered by most plans at no extra cost, gives your doctor a chance to get to know you so he or she can be a true partner in helping you achieve lifelong well-being. Use the find a doctor tool after logging in.
Retail clinic
Retail clinics may be found in supermarkets or drug stores. Pick up your prescriptions, and ask for low-cost treatment for minor problems, such as checking high blood pressure. Check your provider directory for retail clinics available in your plan’s network.
Urgent care center
An urgent care center is another form of retail clinic. For nonemergency medical issues, such as minor burns or sprains or illnesses like the cold or flu, this type of retail clinic is a sensible option. Check which urgent care centers are covered in your plan’s network at MyHumana.com.
Urgent care often provides the following advantages:
- Lower cost than the emergency room (ER)
- Faster than waiting for an appointment with a doctor
- Later hours than most doctor’s offices
- No need for appointments at many urgent care centers (walk-ins may be welcome)
For more details, check out these urgent care FAQs.
Emergency room
When you have a life-threatening injury or condition, always go to the emergency room or call 911. Your plan covers true emergencies at in-network and out-of-network providers, and no referrals or prior authorizations are needed.
Outpatient care centers and surgery centers
Outpatient care centers and surgery centers provide services for some tests and surgeries. They often cost less than a hospital. Check your provider directory to see which outpatient care and surgery centers are available in your plan’s network.
Care in the hospital
You may have to stay in the hospital for some medical problems. Hospital care is usually very expensive, and you may have other options in some cases. Talk with your doctor before you make any decisions about hospital care. Ask your doctor if you can use an outpatient center or urgent care center instead of going into a hospital. If you do need to stay in a hospital, be sure to choose a hospital in your plan's network.
Care while traveling
When you're traveling, you may find hospitals and doctors that are covered by your plan. Check which providers are within the Humana network in the following ways:
1. Call the Member Services number on the back of your ID card
2. Search for a doctor online under your Humana.com account