High blood pressure (hypertension)

Question 1

What are your telehealth options for high blood pressure 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 for $49 in all 50 states and D.C. Message-only visits are available for $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.

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 a high blood pressure prescription renewal through Amazon One Medical 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 high blood pressure medication. Your provider will accept a photo of the prescription label or a screenshot from your medical records.

If you request a prescription lasting longer than 30 days, you'll need to show relevant lab testing from within the past 12 months. You can upload a PDF or an image file like a JPG or PNG of your most recent metabolic labs.

If your provider has concerns about your lab results, they may not renew your prescription through Pay-per-visit. Instead, they'll recommend that you see a primary care provider for an in-person evaluation.

Question 5

Can I get my electrolyte and kidney function tested through Amazon One Medical Pay-per-visit?

Answer

No. If you need electrolyte and kidney function testing, telehealth isn't the most appropriate option for you. You'll need to see a primary care provider for in-person labs.

Also known as "metabolic labs," these tests measure electrolytes like Na+ and K+, and kidney waste products like BUN and creatinine.

Question 6

Can I get high blood pressure (hypertension) diagnosed through Pay-per-visit?

Answer

No. You'll need to see a primary care provider to be evaluated for the condition. Providers typically need to take multiple blood pressure readings over time to diagnose hypertension.

Question 7

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 8

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 9

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 10

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 11

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 12

What causes high blood pressure?

Answer

High blood pressure is caused by a complex mix of genetic and lifestyle factors. Sometimes it’s caused by an underlying medical condition, such as a hormone or kidney disorder, but for most people it seems to develop on its own. Risk factors for high blood pressure include older age, smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol intake, inactivity, a high-salt diet, diabetes, high cholesterol, family history of high blood pressure, and Black race.

Question 13

What blood pressure cuff should I purchase?

Answer

You can purchase an automatic blood pressure monitor at your local pharmacy or an online retailer for around $40-100. More expensive devices often include additional features that you might find useful, but a lower-cost device can still take accurate readings. Keep in mind that an arm cuff is going to be more accurate than a wrist cuff. The cuff should fit your arm snuggly but not too tightly. You should be able to fit two fingers between your arm and the cuff before it’s inflated.

Question 14

How should I take my blood pressure at home?

Answer

Before measuring your blood pressure, take a seat in a place where your back is straight and supported, with your feet flat on the floor and your legs uncrossed. Using pillows or a table, rest your arm at about the height of your heart with your palm facing upwards. Place the blood pressure cuff on your bare upper arm. Relax in this position for about 5 minutes without talking. This is a great opportunity for 5 minutes of focus on some deep, relaxed breathing without distractions. After resting for 5 minutes, take your first blood pressure reading. Wait 1 minute and then take a second reading. Discard the first reading and record the second.

Question 15

When should I check my blood pressure?

Answer

You should measure your blood pressure at different times of day, because it can and will vary hour to hour. You may find that it’s a bit higher first thing in the morning and lower at night or shortly after exercise; this kind of variation is normal. At Amazon One Medical, we recommend checking once in the morning and once in the evening.

Question 16

How often should I check my blood pressure?

Answer

If you’re following up on a high reading from your provider’s office, then checking twice a day - morning and night - for about a week should give you a good sense of where your blood pressure range really lies. This is also a good approach if you’re monitoring a change in blood pressure medications. Otherwise, just the occasional reading is more than sufficient. Amazon One Medical members can share these home blood pressure readings directly with their primary care provider using the One Medical app.

Question 17

What else can I do to lower my blood pressure besides taking medication?

Answer

Developing heart-healthy habits is the best way to keep your blood pressure under control. In fact, making lifestyle changes is so effective for some people that they don’t need medication. Here are the 7 habits that can have the biggest impact:

1. Get regular exercise: The goal is simply to get exercise as many days per week as possible, in whatever way best fits with your interests and lifestyle right now. If you haven’t been active in a while, start slow and talk with your provider about the best way to safely increase your physical activity.

2. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats like nuts, avocados, and olive oil.

3. Limit processed and packaged foods, which often contain added sugar, unhealthy fats, and too much salt.

4. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

5. Talk with your healthcare provider about whether weight loss would help in managing your blood pressure.

6. Learn which techniques work best for you when it comes to managing stress. Consider trying meditation or yoga.

7. If you smoke, quitting will help to lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and a variety of other health problems. Quitting isn’t easy, and having the right support can make a big difference. Amazon One Medical offers both scheduled visits and on-demand care for those who are thinking about quitting, ready to quit, or just want to know more about what support options are available.

Question 18

What diet should I follow to help lower my blood pressure?

Answer

The DASH diet, which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, is a plan specifically designed to help manage high blood pressure. It emphasizes the importance of eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods that are beneficial for heart health. The DASH diet is quite similar to the Mediterranean diet and is a plant-focused diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, nuts, with low-fat and non-fat dairy, lean meats like fish and poultry, mostly whole grains, and heart-healthy fats. You can read more about a healthy diet for high blood pressure on the One Medical blog.

Question 19

Will I need a high blood pressure prescription?

Answer

A primary care provider can determine if you need prescription medication to treat high blood pressure. 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 20

What are the risks of not taking my high blood pressure medication?

Answer

If you've been diagnosed with hypertension, taking high blood pressure medication is one of the most effective ways you can lower your risk of experiencing a major cardiovascular event like a heart attack or stroke.

Research shows that high blood pressure medications can reduce overall risk by:

• 50% for heart failure
• 35-40% for stroke
• 15-25% for heart attack

In fact, every 10mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure can reduce one's risk of having a major cardiovascular disease event by 20%, according to a meta-analysis in the medical journal The Lancet.

Question 21

Clinical sources

Answer

1. Blood Pressure Lowering Treatment Trialists' Collaboration, Turnbull, F., Neal, B., Ninomiya, T., Algert, C., Arima, H., Barzi, F., Bulpitt, C., Chalmers, J., Fagard, R., Gleason, A., Heritier, S., Li, N., Perkovic, V., Woodward, M., & MacMahon, S. (2008). Effects of different regimens to lower blood pressure on major cardiovascular events in older and younger adults: meta-analysis of randomised trials. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 336(7653), 1121–1123. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2386598/

2. Ettehad, D., Emdin, C. A., Kiran, A., Anderson, S. G., Callender, T., Emberson, J., Chalmers, J., Rodgers, A., & Rahimi, K. (2016). Blood pressure lowering for prevention of cardiovascular disease and death: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet (London, England), 387(10022), 957–967. Retrieved from https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(15)01225-8/fulltext

High blood pressure (hypertension)

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

$69

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

$69

What is hypertension (high blood pressure)?

An overview of hypertension

Common types of high blood pressure medication

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High cholesterol

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About high blood pressure treatment