Telehealth and Summer Care: What Administrators and Members Should Know
Telehealth can help members access non-emergency care when summer travel, busy schedules, or distance from a regular provider make in-person care less convenient. For participating Employee Benefit Trust members, CBS Health Solutions includes access to Teladoc Health and MyCatholicDoctor. Religious Medical Trust members have access to Teladoc Health. Availability, services, and costs may vary by plan.
When members may want to consider telehealth
Telehealth may be a helpful first step for common, non-emergency concerns such as allergies, cold or flu symptoms, sinus infections, headaches, stomach issues, minor skin conditions, rashes, poison ivy, urinary tract infections, general medical questions, nutrition guidance, mental health support, and other routine care needs.
For administrators, these examples can also serve as simple talking points when reminding employees how to use their benefits. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes that telehealth can let patients connect with a provider from home, work, or another convenient location and may save time by reducing travel and wait times.
How administrators can help members prepare before summer travel
Before summer travel peaks, administrators can remind employees to confirm how to access their virtual care resources. Members should log in to their MyCBS account and review their plan materials in advance so they understand plan-specific availability, service limits, and costs before care is needed.
The main takeaway: telehealth can give eligible CBS Health Solutions members additional ways to access non-emergency care during summer travel and throughout the year. By communicating these resources clearly, administrators can help members feel more prepared to use their benefits when and where care is needed.
Why telehealth matters for administrators and members
For organizations that sponsor health benefits, summer can bring a predictable challenge: employees and covered family members are often traveling, managing different routines, or away from their regular providers. Telehealth, sometimes called telemedicine, gives members another way to connect with healthcare professionals by phone, video, web, or mobile app for many non-emergency needs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that telehealth can increase access to healthcare, reduce barriers to care, and help people connect with services more conveniently. For administrators, that makes telehealth a practical benefit to reinforce before members leave for vacation, send children to camp, or navigate seasonal health concerns such as allergies, rashes, minor illnesses, or mental health support.
When telehealth is not the right choice
Telehealth is not appropriate for every situation. Serious injuries, chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of stroke, severe allergic reactions, uncontrolled bleeding, or other medical emergencies require immediate in-person care. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek emergency care right away.
For routine concerns, telehealth may provide access to professional medical guidance and help members make more informed decisions about next steps. Members should always follow provider guidance and use in-person care when a condition requires hands-on evaluation, testing, treatment, or emergency attention.
Telehealth options through CBS Health Solutions
Christian Brothers Services Health Solutions offers telehealth resources to help eligible members access care for many routine, non-emergency needs. Participating Employee Benefit Trust members have access to Teladoc Health and MyCatholicDoctor. Religious Medical Trust members have access to Teladoc Health.
Through Teladoc Health, eligible members can connect with providers for many non-emergency needs, including general medical concerns, mental health support, dermatology services, nutrition counseling, and virtual primary care. Teladoc can be especially useful when a member is away from home, unable to schedule an immediate in-person appointment, or unsure whether a concern requires additional care.
For participating Employee Benefit Trust members, MyCatholicDoctor provides access to medical professionals who offer care aligned with Catholic values through video visits for many non-emergency consultations. When appropriate, MyCatholicDoctor may initiate care virtually, order labs or imaging, send prescriptions to a pharmacy, or refer members for local or in-person care.
Common Questions About Telehealth
Can members use Teladoc while traveling? Eligible members may be able to use Teladoc by web, phone, or mobile app when care is needed for non-emergency concerns, including while away from home.
Can telehealth replace emergency care? No. Telehealth should not be used for emergencies. Members should call 911 or seek emergency care right away for serious or life-threatening symptoms.
Do all members have the same telehealth resources? No. Telehealth resources, services, and costs may vary by plan. Members should sign in to their CBS health account or review their plan materials for details.