Studies show that up to 70 percent of ER and clinic visits can be replaced by virtual consultations with doctors without any impact on quality of care.As part of its new partnership with Maple, Medavie Blue Cross plan members will receive 24/7 on-demand access to doctors by secure text or video for advice, diagnosis and prescriptions, at a preferred price. Members can skip the waiting room and talk with a physician within minutes, anytime, anywhere.
How Virtual Health Care Works:
- Describe your symptoms through the app
- Chat with a doctor via secure text, video or phone call
- Get a diagnosis or prescription
Services include:
- Medical advice
- Prescriptions
- Doctor's notes*
- Lab work requisitions
- Mental Health services
*As a precaution, we suggest verifying with your faculty what information is required on a doctor’s note in order for it to be accepted. Not all doctors’ notes provided by Maple will include the information needed.
Treatable conditions include:
- Acute care (such as illness, minor injuries, and infections)
- Chronic care
- Women’s/men’s health
- Mental Health (scroll down for more information)
- And many more!
Why use an online doctor?
- Lack of access: It can take weeks to get in to see your family doctor, or you may have no family doctor at all
- Save time: Scheduling and sitting in a waiting room
- Exposure to illness: The people sitting in a clinic, emergency room or doctor’s office can be carrying contagious illnesses you don’t want to expose yourself to
- Distance: Many live or work miles away from medical care
How much does it cost?
General Physician fees are covered under the International Health Insurance provider, Medavie Blue Cross at 100%
If you sign up for direct billing (after September 1st for new students) you will not have to pay upfront for Maple fees, Maple will bill Medavie Blue Cross directly. To find out how to sign up for direct billing, scroll down!
Dependents covered under the IHI plan cannot benefit from direct billing on Maple. However, they are still eligible for 100% reimbursement for consultations with a general physician. They must pay upfront with a credit card for services on Maple and then file a claim for reimbursement from Medavie Blue Cross
How do I get reimbursed for Maple’s services (direct billing)?
Signing up for direct billing is easy:
- Go to the getmaple website to register.
- Enter your name, date of birth, policy number (0095258000) and Identification number (Your McGill ID + 01*)
- Register for your account
*If you were enrolled in IHI before May 4th, 2019, your Identification Number will be your McGill ID + 00.
Already have a Maple account? No problem! Go to getmaple and select ‘Sign In’ at the top right to add your Medavie Blue Cross coverage to your existing account.
Please note, direct billing is only available to McGill students on the IHI plan. Their dependents must pay for Maple services and then seek reimbursement from Medavie Blue Cross.
If you do not sign up for direct billing, you will have to pay upfront for maple services with a credit card and then file a claim for reimbursement from Medavie Blue Cross.
Mental Health
You can book a virtual appointment with Mental Health professional using Maple. Mental Health Physicians focus on mental, emotional and behavioural health. They can diagnose and manage common medical conditions including:
- Anxiety Disorders
- Acute Adjustment Disorders
- OCD
- Panic Disorder
- Depression
- Insomnia
In order to book a mental health appointment, please choose the "Mental Health Physician" service on the Maple app. Direct billing to Medavie Blue Cross is available for this service as well.
This service is not for patients seeking help with ADHD, until further notice.
*NEW STUDENTS*
If the Fall is your first term on the IHI plan, you will not be able to sign up for direct billing until after the blackout period (August 31st). If you use Maple services between August 1st and August 31st, you will have to pay upfront on the app with a credit card and then file a claim for reimbursement from Medavie Blue Cross as of September 1st.
Questions about Maple’s services? Contact hello [at] maple.ca (Maple )directly.