HEALTH BENEFITS
Telemedicine for ARTA Benefit Plan Members
Gary Sawatzky | Chief Operating Officer, ARTA
On November 1, 2023, ARTA rolled out an innovative and beneficial service for members who are covered under ARTA’ s Extended Health Care plans— telemedicine services.
As we age, staying on top of our health becomes more important, but also more challenging. Visits to your family physician( if you are fortunate enough to have one— recent studies indicate that 22 % of Canadians do not), medication management, and specialist appointments can mean a lot of travel, waiting, and coordination. Having telemedicine services available to our members means that they have nearly immediate access to a Canadian licensed physician, twentyfour hours a day. This is especially beneficial for members who live outside major cities or those with mobility issues. Telemedicine is a modern solution that is making health care more accessible, convenient, and comfortable for ARTA benefit plan members.
You can access telemedicine through chat messages and phone or video calls, without needing to go to a doctor’ s office. You can talk to a physician, get prescriptions, or have requisitions ordered right from home using your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Since the physician you are speaking to is licensed to practise in your province of residence, they have access to your electronic health records and can see your medical history and any medications you have been prescribed in the past.
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