Virtual Platform Offers Free Telehealth Services During Hurricane Ida

A virtual care company is offering free telehealth services to residents and first responders who are impacted by Hurricane Ida in Louisiana and Mississippi.

The hurricane has brought intense winds and flooding to the states and has forced many residents to leave their homes. Teladoc Health is providing non-emergent treatment for impacted individuals. Residents can access a licensed healthcare professional by calling Teladoc directly.

“As communities seek to navigate the impact of this hurricane along with an active pandemic, we want to make sure that those faced with devastation and displacement from Ida are keeping their health front and center and know how to get care,” Bimal Shah, MD, chief medical officer of Teladoc Health, stated in the press release.

“Virtual care is a proven solution that supports community health during these times, as residents from evacuated areas seek to stay healthy when health care facilities and providers may also be affected and unable to meet all care needs.”

By offering free telehealth visits, the virtual care company is eliminating the financial barrier that some individuals face when it comes to accessing care. Residents will not have to worry about cost or location if they need to see a doctor during this stressful time.

Individuals can receive diagnoses and treatment for general health concerns during a virtual visit, such as respiratory infections, sinus infections, cold and flu symptoms, allergies, and more non-emergent conditions.

Healthcare professionals can also screen patients for COVID-19 if they have been exposed to the virus or are showing symptoms, and deduce the urgency of their case, the press release noted.

Individuals can attend a telehealth visit to receive authorization for non-narcotic prescription drug refills, as well.

Teladoc Health also employed virtual care services to residents in northeastern states who experienced fallout from Tropical Storm Henri and communities in western states that were impacted and displaced by forest fires.

In the early months of 2021, the company offered free telehealth visits to Oklahoma and Texas residents during severe winter storms, as well.

Telehealth has proved useful for care coordination during natural disasters, whether it be helping health systems and hospitals prepare healthcare delivery methods for an upcoming storm or providing individuals with access to care after the disaster hits.

After a natural disaster, residents may experience circumstances where they are physically unable to travel to a hospital or a doctor’s office to receive healthcare. Telehealth can help ensure that individuals still receive general healthcare for their non-emergent needs during the aftermath of a storm.