Get acid reflux treatment online

Question 1

How can I get online or in-person acid reflux (GERD) treatment from Amazon One Medical?

Answer

If you're an Amazon One Medical member, 24/7 On-Demand Care is included in your membership. On-Demand Care has two telehealth pathways: Direct Message Care connects you to a provider through async messaging, and Video Care connects you to a provider in real time.

If you're an Amazon One Medical member and you live in a state where One Medical has offices, you can also get medical treatment through In-Person Visits or Scheduled Video Visits, both billable to you or your health insurance.

If you're not an Amazon One Medical member, you can still get 24/7 On-Demand Care for 30+ common health conditions by paying as you go for online treatment. To see the Direct Message Care and Video Care options where you live, get started from a condition detail page and choose your state.

*Direct Message Care availability varies by state. Prices subject to change.

Question 2

Can I use my health insurance to pay for Amazon One Medical On-Demand Care (formerly Pay-per-visit)?

Answer

Amazon One Medical doesn't accept health insurance for On-Demand Care, its 24/7 telehealth service. If you were charged for treatment as a non-member, you can submit a claim to your insurance provider for reimbursement, but we can’t guarantee they’ll reimburse you for treatment.

If you 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 medical care.

Question 3

What happens if my provider can't diagnose or treat my health issue through On-Demand Care?

Answer

We do our best to make sure you’re eligible for online treatment before you connect with a provider. When you request On-Demand Care, your health intake helps us understand whether you can be treated virtually, or if you'll need to be seen in person for more closely managed care. If your answers indicate that we can't treat you through our service, we'll let you know why, then recommend next steps so you can find the care you need.

Additionally, your provider may determine that you cannot be treated through our service after reviewing your health intake. If this happens, your treatment will be canceled and you won't be charged.

Question 4

Can I still connect with a provider after I'm treated through On-Demand Care?

Answer

Yes. When you receive treatment through On-Demand Care, you can message with your One Medical care team for an additional 2 weeks (14 days) regarding your care summary. This communication window allows you time to:

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

• 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 care summary and any follow-up correspondence. If you still need treatment adjustments or have questions after the 14-day communication window, you'll need to request a new treatment.

Question 5

What if I want to refill my medication?

Answer

If your On-Demand Care provider didn't include refills with your prescription, you'll need to start a new treatment to request another prescription.

There are many reasons why a provider may decide that prescription refills aren't medically appropriate. For example, they may want to assess how well a medication is working and whether or not it needs to be adjusted before you continue with the same treatment.

Question 6

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 7

What are the symptoms of acid reflux (GERD)?

Answer

The main symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are heartburn and regurgitation.

• Heartburn: a burning sensation in the chest, behind the breastbone, that's usually worst after eating

• Regurgitation: the flow of gastric acid and/or undigested food up from the stomach back into the throat or mouth

More severe symptoms of GERD include the following:

• Difficulty or pain with swallowing

• Nausea or vomiting

• Heartburn that wakes you from sleep

If you have any of these more severe symptoms, virtual care isn't the most appropriate treatment pathway for you. You'll need to see a primary care provider for an in-person evaluation.

Question 8

How do doctors relieve GERD?

Answer

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your provider may recommend a step-up approach or a step-down approach for treating the symptoms of GERD.

• A step-up treatment approach involves starting with a low dose of medication, then raising it until symptoms stop. For example, a provider might prescribe a low-dose H2RA, then raise the dose, then prescribe a low-dose PPI.

• A step-down treatment approach starts with a higher dose of medication, which is then lowered as long as symptoms are still controlled. For example, a provider might prescribe a standard PPI dose, then an H2RA.

If you've already tried PPIs and they haven't relieved your symptoms, virtual care isn't the most appropriate treatment pathway for you. You'll need to see a primary care provider for an in-person evaluation.

Question 9

What are some natural ways to relieve heartburn?

Answer

A number of lifestyle and dietary changes can relieve acid reflux symptoms. Though strategies should be individualized, experts generally recommend that you do the following if you suffer from heartburn:

• Lose weight

• Stay upright for 2-3 hours after eating

• Sleep with your head elevated about 6-8 inches

• Avoid food and drink that trigger your symptoms (e.g., caffeine, soda, chocolate, spicy foods)

• Wear looser clothes

• Chew sugarless gum

• Quit smoking

• Strengthen your diaphragm with abdominal breathing exercises

Question 10

Clinical sources

Answer

1. NIDDK. (2019, January 16). Acid Reflux (GER & GERD) in Adults | NIDDK. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults

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