09/30/2020
If you have COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath), consider a telehealth visit or nurseline advice before seeking in-person care. Ask your primary care provider if they offer telehealth visits, or call one of Colorado’s nurselines.
If you are having a medical emergency, call 911. Tell the dispatcher your symptoms. If possible, put on a face mask before emergency medical services arrive or immediately after they arrive.
Why should you use telehealth?
Telehealth can reduce your risk of getting sick by limiting your exposure to others.
Telehealth can help you get medical advice faster.
By using telehealth, you help keep hospital resources available for people who are seriously ill. You are also potentially limiting the spread of COVID-19 in your community.
What is the difference between telehealth and nurselines?
Telehealth is connecting with a doctor through an audio only or live-video and audio call. Using telehealth, a doctor can assess you, give you a treatment plan that fits your needs, recommend you for COVID-19 testing if applicable, or prescribe a medication. At this time, there is no vaccine available for COVID-19.
Calling a nurseline can give you more information about what to do next. A nurse can help you decide when to contact your doctor or visit a health care facility, understand your medications, or give you more information about preventative care.
Does it cost extra to use telehealth instead of seeing your provider in person?
In Colorado, telehealth is covered by all insurance plans. To learn more, contact your insurance company directly.
Calling a nurseline is typically free but some nurselines may have rules about who they serve.
Under direction of Colorado’s Department of Regulatory Agencies, co-pays will be waived for any COVID-19-related in-network telehealth services for those with private health insurance. For unrelated telehealth visits, you may still be required to pay a copay.
Telehealth visits cost the same as an in-person visit for Medicaid and Medicare patients.
If you don’t have health insurance or a primary care provider, there are several online telehealth companies that will see you for a fee. These visits typically range from $20 to $75 per visit.
Where can you find a list of telehealth providers and nurselines in Colorado?
Find a directory of telehealth and nurselines.
How do you use telehealth?
Visit a telehealth website and sign-up/sign-in to get an appointment.
Download the software or apps that are used for the visit.
If you have a thermometer, heart rate monitor, blood pressure cuff, blood sugar monitor, or other medical tool, have it with you at the time of your telehealth visit.
Sit in a well-lit room so that the provider can see you well.
If possible, join the visit a few minutes early to make sure your microphone and camera on your device are working properly.
Can anyone call the nurseline?
Yes. Here are a list of nurse lines:
Banner Health 844-259-9494 Service available to all residents of Colorado.
Centura Health COVID-19 Patient Information Line 888-540-8924. The Centura Health COVID-19 Patient Information Line is available to everyone in Colorado.
Children’s Hospital Colorado ParentSmart Healthline 720-777-0123
Denver Health 303-739-1211 Denver Health Nurseline. The Denver Health Nurse line is open to Denver Health patients and City and County of Denver residents only.
HealthOne 303-563-3300 Denver Metro Area, 877-647-7440 Outside of Denver
Rio Grande Hospital Nurse Line 719-657-4990
San Luis Valley Health Nurse Line 719-589-2511, ext 9
Veteran Affairs Eastern Colorado Health Care System Nurse Health Line 888-336-8262 For veterans of Colorado.
Do you need health insurance for the nurselines?
No.
Telehealth response in Colorado
Colorado urgently needs medical professionals and administrators to donate their time to provide free telehealth visits. This work will be performed entirely from home, primarily via telephone and/or video calls. Callers will provide their symptoms over the phone, and those who need medical attention will be triaged to a queue for telephone-based care.
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