The Grand Forks Herald reports…

UnitedHealthcare is now offering telehealth appointments with no copay or out-of-pocket cost as a benefit.

The move is intended to improve access to care, said Dr. Donna O’Shea, chief medical officer of population health for UnitedHealthcare. Sometimes members in high-deductible plans delay seeking medical appointments to avoid out-of-pocket costs.

“Members were pushing off simple health care visits,” O’Shea said.

UnitedHealthcare estimates, based on its claims data, that 25% of emergency room visits could be handled virtually. The telehealth visits are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

That’s a great saving of time and money for folks who have the broadband to access the service.