Asthma

Question 1

What are your telehealth options for asthma treatment?

Answer

Amazon One Medical offers multiple ways to get care from the comfort of your own home.

If you're a One Medical member and you live in a state where One Medical has offices, you can schedule Remote Visits with One Medical providers, which are billable to you or your health insurance. As a member, you can also get 24/7 on-demand virtual care with Treat Me Now or Urgent Video Chat via the One Medical app at no extra cost, no matter where you live in the United States.

If you're not a One Medical member, you can start a one-time virtual visit with Pay-per-visit. Pay-per-visit offers 2 types of telehealth for Amazon customers: video visits and message-only visits. Video visits are available from $49 in all 50 states and D.C. Message-only visits are available from $29 in 36+ states.*

To see your Pay-per-visit options for this condition, start a one-time virtual visit and choose your state.

*State availability varies by condition. Prices subject to change.

Question 2

Where are scheduled visits available for Amazon One Medical members?

Answer

In-Office Visits are scheduled appointments with the provider of your choice. One Medical members can easily book In-Office Visits at any of our One Medical offices, in:

Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Cape Cod, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbus, Connecticut, D.C Metro Area (DMV), Dallas-Ft. Worth, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Milwaukee (coming soon), New Jersey (coming soon), New York City, Orange County, Phoenix, Portland, Raleigh-Durham, San Diego, Seattle-Tacoma, SF Bay Area, Triad, Tucson. More location details.

Remote Visits are scheduled, virtual appointments with the provider of your choice and are available in U.S. states where One Medical offices are located.

In-Office and Remote Visits are not included in the membership and are billed to you/your insurance; copays and deductibles may apply.

Question 3

Can I use my health insurance for Amazon One Medical Pay-per-visit?

Answer

Amazon One Medical doesn't accept health insurance for Pay-per-visit care. You can submit a claim to your insurance provider for reimbursement, but we can’t guarantee they’ll reimburse you for your one-time virtual visit.

If you normally use insurance to pay for your medications, you can do that with medications prescribed through all Amazon One Medical services. Amazon Pharmacy accepts most insurance plans. For other pharmacies, please talk with your pharmacy directly about insurance coverage. The cost of medication isn’t included in the cost of your visit.

Question 4

What will I need to request an asthma prescription renewal through Amazon Pay-per-visit?

Answer

To request a virtual prescription renewal through Amazon One Medical Pay-per-visit, you'll need to upload an image of your most recent prescription for asthma medication. Your provider will accept a photo of the prescription label or a screenshot from your medical records.

Question 5

What's the virtual prescription renewal policy at Amazon One Medical Pay-per-visit?

Answer

Pay-per-visit providers typically write online prescription renewals for a 30-day supply of medication.

Your provider will consider many factors when determining if a prescription is medically appropriate. For example, they may want to know how long it's been since you've:

• Taken your medication

• Seen your regular primary care provider

• Had appropriate lab testing

• Had your last prescription renewal through Pay-per-visit*

When you request a prescription renewal, you'll need to provide an image of your last prescription. Your provider will accept a photo of the prescription label or a screenshot from your medical records. The image must clearly show your name, the name of the medication, the dose, the directions, and the date the prescription was written.

There may be a limit to the number of renewal requests that a provider can evaluate in a one-time virtual visit. Providers will not renew prescriptions that require a prior authorization from your insurance company.

*Virtual prescription renewals may be limited to one or two within a 12-month period.

Question 6

What's the difference between a renewal and a refill?

Answer

When you run out of your medication, you refill it through a pharmacy. When you run out of refills, a licensed healthcare provider has to renew your prescription.

You can request a remote prescription renewal through Amazon One Medical. Your provider will send any new prescriptions to a U.S. pharmacy of your choice. You pay for the medication when you pick it up or have it delivered.

Question 7

What happens if my provider can't diagnose or treat my health issue through Pay-per-visit?

Answer

If your provider can’t diagnose or treat your health issue through Pay-per-visit, they may recommend that you see a primary care provider or a specialist for in-person care. If that happens, you won't be charged.

Question 8

Can I communicate with a provider after I get my Pay-per-visit treatment plan?

Answer

Yes. When you use Pay-per-visit, you can message with One Medical providers within your personal dashboard for an additional 2 weeks (14 days) at no extra cost. This complimentary communication window allows you time to:

• Ask follow-up questions about any prescriptions or over-the-counter medications in your treatment plan

• Connect with a provider if you think your treatment needs to be adjusted

• Tell a provider if you're experiencing side effects from your medication

• Tell a provider if there's an issue getting your prescription from the pharmacy

• Let the One Medical care team know that you're feeling better

Your secure, HIPAA-compliant message will be received by the first available provider, who will be able to review your visit’s treatment plan and any follow-up correspondence. If you still need treatment adjustments or have questions after the 14-day communication window, you'll need to start a new visit.

Question 9

How does Amazon One Medical protect my health information?

Answer

Amazon One Medical protects customers’ protected health information (PHI) with stringent, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant privacy and security practices to keep information safe and secure.

We’re committed to building an infrastructure that fosters and promotes a culture of customer privacy and a strong commitment to safeguarding health information. We maintain administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect customer information. This includes conducting rigorous security reviews and testing during product development, using encryption to protect data, and providing features like two-step verification to help customers protect their accounts.

Amazon does not sell customers’ personal information, including PHI.

Question 10

How does Amazon One Medical define well-controlled asthma?

Answer

Asthma experts define well-controlled asthma by the following criteria:

• Your asthma symptoms require a rescue inhaler (quick-reliever medication like albuterol) no more than 2 days/week

• Your asthma doesn't wake you up more than 2 nights/month

• Your lung function (as measured by peak expiratory flow or spirometry) is normal or within 20% of your best PEF or FEV1)

• In the past 12 months, you haven't had more than one asthma exacerbation where you needed oral glucocorticoids and/or urgent medical care

• You're able to do all your normal activities

If you don't meet these criteria or you've needed to take oral steroids or receive urgent medical care for your asthma within the past 4 weeks, your asthma doesn't meet the clinical definition of "controlled." Amazon One Medical Pay-per-visit isn't the most appropriate type of care for you. You’ll need to see a primary care provider for an in-person evaluation.

Question 11

When should I go to the emergency room for asthma?

Answer

If you feel short of breath while sitting, you're lightheaded or wheezing, or you're experiencing severe chest pain, go directly to the nearest emergency room (ER).

If your symptoms feel more like asthma exacerbations you've had in the past, you should be seen today at your local primary care office or urgent care facility.

Question 12

What does "severe asthma" mean?

Answer

People with severe asthma have frequent asthma attacks and trouble breathing most of the time, even when they are taking their medicine regularly. Their symptoms tend to be more difficult to control and may need more intensive treatments. Amazon One Medical providers can work with you closely to make sure you have access to effective treatments and partner with you to come up with an action plan for what to do during an asthma attack.

Question 13

What types of treatments are available for asthma?

Answer

There are two main types of medications prescribed for asthma: quick-relief (“rescue”) inhalers and long-term control medicines.

Quick-relief inhalers are used when you have asthma symptoms. They work quickly (within 5-15 minutes) to help you breathe better by relaxing the muscles around your airways. Long-term control medicines reduce swelling and mucus in the airways and are taken every day to prevent asthma attacks. Some medicines combine the two.

Each person's asthma is different. You and your healthcare provider can work together to establish the best treatment plan based on your symptoms and needs. By taking the right medicine at the right time, you'll be able to breathe better and do more of the things you want to do.

Question 14

I'm not great at carrying around multiple inhalers. Is there an option for me?

Answer

The latest research suggests that using a single inhaler that combines two treatments is a great option for many people with asthma. This type of inhaler includes two medicines: a steroid that helps to reduce inflammation and a medication called formoterol that acts quickly to relieve symptoms and helps keep the airways open for a longer time. Your provider can work with you to determine if this convenient treatment might be right for you.

Question 15

How do I know if I'm using my inhaler the right way?

Answer

Proper use depends on the type of inhaler you have and whether or not a spacer is used. The American Lung Association’s guide on how to use asthma medicine devices includes helpful instruction guides and videos for each type of inhaler. Your primary care provider or your pharmacist can also review the best technique for using your asthma medication.

Question 16

How do I know if my asthma treatments are working well?

Answer

Amazon One Medical providers will work with you to manage your asthma using a step-wise approach, adjusting the type and amount of medicine based on how well your asthma is controlled.

Asthma is considered well-controlled if you need your quick-relief inhaler less than 3 times per week, do not wake up with asthma during the night, and are able to do daily activities (including exercise) with few to no symptoms.

If your provider needs more detailed information to determine how well your asthma treatments are working, they may recommend breathing tests in addition to checking in about your symptoms.

Question 17

What are some ways I can control my asthma triggers?

Answer

People with asthma often experience triggers that make their asthma worse. Knowing what causes your asthma symptoms is an important step toward controlling your asthma. Common asthma triggers include:

• Respiratory infections ( (like colds, flu, and COVID-19) )

• Allergens (like pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mold)

• Smoke and other air pollution

• Cold air

• Intense physical activity

• Strong emotions like stress or excitement

• Strong odors (like perfumes, cleaning supplies, and air fresheners)

Your provider can help you to track what makes your asthma worse and to find simple solutions to reduce or avoid your asthma triggers.

Question 18

Will I need an asthma prescription?

Answer

A primary care provider can determine if you need prescription medication to treat your asthma symptoms. If your care plan includes a prescription, you'll be asked to select a pharmacy. You can send it to your preferred pharmacy or select Amazon Pharmacy to get your medications delivered right to your door.

Question 19

How often should I see a healthcare provider for my asthma?

Answer

If you have asthma, it's important to review your asthma management plan with a heathcare provider at least once a year. Your medication could be stepped up or stepped down periodically, depending on your risk factors and how controlled your asthma is, but this requires careful monitoring.

If you've needed to take oral steroids more than 3 times in the past 12 months, it's especially important to review your asthma management plan with a trusted healthcare provider.

Question 20

Besides quick-relief or controller medication, what can help me manage my asthma?

Answer

• Avoiding environmental triggers

• Avoiding respiratory viruses

• Family support

• Having an asthma action plan

• Monitoring your peak expiratory flow (PEF)

• Quitting smoking

Question 21

What are the different ways of taking asthma medication?

Answer

Oral inhalation asthma medications can be delivered by metered dose inhaler (MDI), which uses HFA to propel medication into the lungs, or by dry powder inhaler (DPI), which is breath-actuated. Some asthma drugs can also be prescribed in vial form as nebulizer solution.

Question 22

What are the different types of asthma?

Answer

There are 4 main types of asthma:

• Intermittent

• Mild persistent

• Moderate persistent

• Severe persistent

Your type of asthma will determine what medication you're prescribed. But these 4 asthma diagnoses aren't set in stone. When managing asthma, healthcare providers frequently reassess their patients' symptoms, stepping up or down medication doses as appropriate. Although asthma is chronic, it's also dynamic, and it's not unusual for someone's type of diagnosis to change.

Question 23

Clinical sources

Answer

1. Castillo, J. R., Peters, S. P., & Busse, W. W. (2017). Asthma Exacerbations: Pathogenesis, Prevention, and Treatment. The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice, 5(4), 918–927. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5950727/

Asthma

Request a prescription renewal with 24/7 virtual care

Membership

Pay-per-visit

Get help for your health concerns with in-office visits and 24/7 virtual care

$9

$99

Request a prescription renewal with 24/7 virtual care

Membership

Pay-per-visit

Request a prescription renewal with 24/7 virtual care

Get help for your health concerns with in-office visits and 24/7 virtual care

$9

$99

What is asthma?

An overview of asthma

Common types of asthma medication

Related conditions that One Medical treats

Seasonal allergies

Eczema

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Frequently asked questions

About Amazon One Medical

About asthma treatment