Frequently asked questions
MDLIVE’s major clients include familiar names such as Aetna, Cigna, HealthNet, Humana, Regence Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Molina Healthcare, Sutter Health, Hospital Corporation of America, Coca Cola, Staples, Yahoo, Samsung, Twitter and others.
VHP Employer Group, Covered California, Individual & Family Plan and MediCal members may register and use MDLIVE for medical and behavioral health services on or after July 5, 2017.
No. MDLIVE providers are not intended to replace members’ PCPs or to be used in life-threatening emergencies. In case of a life-threatening emergency, members should dial 911 immediately. MDLIVE providers handle non-emergency medical conditions and can often substitute for a doctor’s office, urgent care center, or emergency room visit for common conditions like the flu or pink eye.
MDLIVE is available anywhere in the United States. When VHP members log in and request appointments, they will be shown doctors who are licensed to practice in California.
MDLIVE phone consultations are available 24/7/365, even holidays, while video consultations are available during the hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days a week or by scheduled availability. Once a member logs in, they will have the option to select a doctor who is currently available, schedule an appointment, or talk to the next available doctor on call.
MDLIVE medical providers diagnose and treat many non-emergency conditions, including:
Acne | Diarrhea | Nausea/Vomiting | Sore Throats |
Allergies | Ear problems | Pink eye | Urinary problems/UTI |
Cold/Flu | Fever | Rash | Vaginitis |
Constipation | Headache | Respiratory problems | Cough |
Insect bites | Sinus problems | And more |
MDLIVE behavioral health providers offer services to the extent they are appropriate for remote and virtual diagnosis and treatment include, but are not limited to, talk therapy, psychiatric diagnosis, ongoing psychotherapy and medication management.
MDLIVE’s online therapists are trained to help with a wide range of concerns, including:
Addictions | Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender issues | Parenting issues |
Bipolar disorders | Grief and loss | Postpartum depression |
Child and adolescent issues | Life changes | Relationship/Marriage issues |
Depression | Men’s/Women’s issues | Stress |
Eating disorders | Panic disorders | Trauma and PTSD |
And more |
All MDLIVE doctors are U.S. board certified, have on average 15+ years of experience, and are able to treat a wide range of conditions. When VHP members log in and request appointments, they will be shown doctors who are licensed to practice in California.
MDLIVE's board-certified provider network includes over 2000 Medical and 900 Behavioral Health professionals.
Members may visit with MDLIVE providers outside California as well. However, if a member is out of state, they will visit with a provider licensed in that state. In other words, the state where a member is physically located determines which providers will be available based on licensure. The exception is for Behavioral Health in that members will visit with MDLIVE providers licensed in California.
MDLIVE is a telehealth solution established in 2009 and is headquartered in Sunrise, FL. MDLIVE has over 5,000,000 patients registered nationally, and performs approximately 10,000 consults per month. In California, MDLIVE has approximately 70,000 registered patients.
With MDLIVE, Valley Health Plan (VHP) members can access a board-certified doctor via secure online video, phone, or the MDLIVE App-anytime, anywhere, 24/7/365. MDLIVE is as an alternative to expensive urgent care visits or waiting days to get an appointment with primary care doctors for non-emergency medical conditions.
MDLIVE providers can diagnose symptoms, prescribe non-narcotic medication (if needed), and send e-prescriptions to members' VHP plan pharmacy of choice.
Yes. If the MDLIVE doctor believes medication is needed, he or she can write a prescription for non-narcotic medications (i.e. no controlled substances), which can be sent directly to a member’s preferred plan pharmacy. VHP members are highly encouraged to use in-network plan pharmacies. If for any reason a member’s preferred plan pharmacy is unable to receive e-prescriptions, a traditional prescription is generated for MDLIVE doctors to sign and fax. All prescriptions are fully compliant and include all required information.
No. Telehealth is designed to offer quick and convenient access to eligible members and cost savings to VHP through expected reductions in urgent care and emergency room costs.
However, MDLIVE will provide VHP quarterly reports that will allow VHP to review and manage various performance metrics including:
Consultations & registrations | Top 5 prescriptions written |
Potential savings | Prescription frequency |
Customer satisfaction | Utilization & demographic data |
Top 5 diagnosis | Service standards metrics |
Members are encouraged to complete their online medical history profile to better prepare for their MDLIVE appointment. Members may upload photos and medical record documents in multiple file formats to share with providers.
Online records stored with MDLIVE are not automatically transferred to a member’s PCP or other VHP providers. The member may elect online to share their MDLIVE visit(s) with their VHP PCP.
Yes. MDLIVE is compliant with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and will only share patient information with members’ selected doctors and pharmacies.
Yes. MDLIVE partners with Language Line Solutions and offers interpreter services from approximately 6,000 medically trained linguists who speak approximately 200 different languages. Language Line Solutions is available 24/7/365. A VHP member may call 1.888.467.4614 (toll-free) to connect with Language Line Solutions.
Members can access MDLIVE through PCs, smartphones, tablets, and telephone.
- The MDLIVE app is available through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
- The website address for VHP Employer Group, Covered California, and Individual & Family Plan members is www.mdlive.com/vhp
VHP Employer Group, Covered California, and Individual & Family Plan members can activate their accounts by one of the following methods:
- Visit www.mdlive.com/vhp and click “Activate Now”
- MDLIVE can be accessed on most mobile devices with internet connection. The MDLIVE App is available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
- Call MDLIVE at 1.888.467.4614 (toll-free).
MDLIVE provider visits are the same cost to the member as an in-person visit.
- For VHP Employer Group members, there are no copayments or additional costs.
- For Covered California and Individual & Family Plan members, copayments and coinsurance costs are determined by benefit plan designs.
Members will only be charged after they choose to visit with a doctor and their appointment time and payment information are confirmed. Members can cancel appointments and receive full refunds, provided they cancel at least 24 hours before the appointment time. MDLIVE accepts most major credit and debit cards.
Eligible members can view online You Tube videos to learn more about MDLIVE’s medical and teletherapy products.
How MDLIVE Works in 3 easy steps
MDLIVE Talk Therapy
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Call MDLIVE at 1(888) 467-4614 (toll-free) MDLIVE has highly trained health service specialists standing by to take member calls 24/7/365.
How to sign up for MDLIVE or activate your MDLIVE account
- Go to https://www.mdlive.com\VHP and click "Activate Now".
- Call (888) 467-4614 toll free.
- Download the MDLIVE App, available for iPhone and Android.
Instructional videos and customer stories
How Behavioral Health Visit Works in 4 Simple Steps
Better Than Urgent Care
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MDLIVE Customer Stories:
*By clicking on the “Watch External Video” button, you will leave this website, enter a non-County of Santa Clara website, and be subject to the destination website’s privacy policy. Please see our Links Policy for more information.