AEP offers Teladoc service as part of under age 65 retiree benefits package in 2014

AEP has selected Teladoc to provide employees, under age 65 retirees and their eligible dependents with 24/7/365 access to U.S. board-certified doctors and pediatricians by phone or online video. Teladoc is the first and largest telehealth provider in the nation, founded in 2002. The benefit will start Jan. 1, 2014, for AEP employees and under age 65 retirees.

Teladoc physicians can diagnose, recommend treatment and prescribe medication, when appropriate, for many non-emergency medical needs, including sinus problems, bronchitis, allergies, poison ivy, cold and flu symptoms, urinary tract infection, respiratory infection, and more.

Under age 65 retirees enrolled in a medical plan through AEP (except for FirstCare HMO) will receive a welcome letter with details on this added medical benefit. The letter includes a tear-off ID card with the Teladoc access information, how to set up an account, and how to initiate a consultation with a Teladoc physician.

Cost for each physician consultation through Teladoc is $40 (compared to an average cost of $70-$80) for a regular office visit, and will be processed through the employee’s medical plan.

Aetna participants will be charged a $20 co-pay, the same as an office visit co-pay today. Aetna HDHP participants will be charged $40 for a consultation until meeting the $2,500 individual/$7,500 family deductible, then the plan would pay a Teladoc visit at 100 percent. Under the Anthem HRA plan, if HRA dollars will cover, a participant will owe nothing. A participant in the deductible phase will owe $40. After meeting the deductible, the plan pays 85 percent and a participant pays 15 percent or $6. Teladoc is not available to FirstCare HMO participants.

Just like an in-person visit to the doctor, the cost of a Teledoc consultation is not refundable if the Teladoc physician refers the patient elsewhere for care, such as the patient’s primary care physician, a specialist or the emergency room.

Due to the interpretation of state regulations, a Teladoc online video consultation with a physician is not available today in the states of Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Ohio and Texas, but phone consultations are available.

PLEASE NOTE: Over Age 65 Retirees — Please Read

In mid-December, over age 65 retirees were mistakenly sent a welcome kit describing the new Teladoc program (described above) which enables individuals to interact with doctors remotely via telephone or Internet. Please be advised that the Teladoc program is not included in the AEP benefits package for our over age 65 retirees, and you were sent this mailing in error.

AEP Human Resources offers its apologies for any confusion this welcome kit may have caused. Over age 65 retirees may throw away the Teladoc materials received in the mail. If you have any questions, please call Aetna at 1-800-243-1809.