The face of healthcare has changed dramatically over the past several years, providing patients with more options than ever for accessing care. But sometimes it’s hard to know which medical provider or resource to use when you or a loved one is needing care.

Whenever you’re sick or injured, it’s important to carefully decide how serious it is and how soon you need medical care. This will determine whether you:

• Call or schedule an appointment with your doctor (virtual or in-person),
• Go to an urgent care center, or
• Seek emergency care at an emergency room (ER).

If you’re enrolled in a Transocean medical plan, we’ve got you covered, regardless of where you  go for medical treatment. But what you pay for each option varies greatly. Of course, if you have a true medical emergency, don’t hesitate to call 911 or go directly to an ER immediately, especially if you have problems such as:

• Choking
• Trouble breathing
• Passing out, fainting
• Chest pains or pains in the arm or jaw
• Heavy bleeding
• Possible broken bones
• Serious wounds
• Severe burns
• Head injuries
• Suicidal thoughts

To learn more about how the Transocean UHC medical plan covers emergency care, click here.

Virtual care vs. in-person visits

In the past, the only way to see a doctor was to go to their office. But today, many physicians are now offering telehealth—or virtual health—consultations, which allow you to receive care from a doctor from your home using your computer, a smartphone, or tablet. According to a survey conducted by WebMD, only 8% of Americans had ever tried telehealth for medical services in 2019. Now, about a third of Americans say they have seen a doctor virtually. And more telling is that 40% of those surveyed say they plan to keep seeing their doctor virtually after the pandemic ends.

Virtual health visits offer a few advantages over in-person care, including:

• Convenience. Driving to a doctor’s office and sitting in a waiting room takes time. Virtual health visits allow you to get on a call right at your appointment time and, because you can talk to your doctor from anywhere, you avoid taking time off from work or hiring a babysitter to watch your kids.
• There’s no difference in quality of care. For many minor medical conditions, such as sinus, rashes, sore throats, bladder or urinary tract infections, you can get the same high level of care from home as you would in your doctor’s office. And if you need a prescription refill, but your physician requires you to schedule an appointment, virtual health is the way to go, as doctors can also write prescriptions after a virtual consultation.
• It’s safer. Because you can avoid sitting in a waiting room full of sick people, virtual health visits pose less risk that you will pick up an infection or contagious condition from someone else, particularly if you have a chronic illness, a weakened immune system, or you’re pregnant.

If you’re enrolled in Transocean’s UnitedHealthcare (UHC) medical plan, you can schedule a virtual visit with a UHC provider 24/7, with no appointment needed, for $50 or less.

To learn more about when a virtual visit makes sense and what you need for the appointment, click here. To schedule a virtual visit, go to uhc.com/virtualvisits.

When do in-person visits make sense?

While virtual health visits offer added convenience and save you time, it’s important to understand that there are some conditions that may still require an in-office visit. In-person visits may be a better option when you:

• Are seeing a doctor for the first time.
• Require an exam that requires a hands-on approach, such as feeling for a lump or listening to your chest.
• Need a blood test, X-ray, or other imaging scan.

You may also choose to go to an urgent care center if you need immediate treatment for a condition over the weekend or after your doctor’s office has closed for the day (i.e., strep throat, flu, etc.). Keep in mind, some ER services are now provided in freestanding facilities that resemble urgent care centers. While these ERs are convenient, they charge the same—and often even more—than a hospital ER, so if you’re seeking urgent care services, it’s good to call ahead and clarify.

Need help with your health care options?

If you’re still not sure if you need a doctor, urgent care clinic or just some good health advice, call UnitedHealthcare’s myNurseLine. It’s available 24/7 at no additional cost if you’re enrolled in Transocean’s medical plan.

When you call, you will be connected with a registered nurse who will take the time to understand your personal situation, answer questions about medications and treatment options, provide help with choosing care options, and help you find available facilities and resources. MyNurseLine can also provide you with more information on your issues, including access to an online audio health information library.

To talk with a myNurseLine nurse, call 1-800-765-6731 or visit myuhc.com.

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