Guide to Accessing Virtual Healthcare

Now, more than ever, it’s important to get access to healthcare services. However, access to many services has changed due to the current strain on our healthcare system, and it can be more difficult to get out and visit providers. Thankfully, many healthcare services are now available virtually so you can access them with ease from the comfort of your own home. Whether by phone, email or online, you can get health advice, connect with a physician, refill a prescription and more. We have created a guide to help you learn which healthcare services are available virtually, and how to access them. Please note that the resources in this document are provided for information purposes only. Equitable Life® is not associated with any of these providers, does not endorse their products or services and is not responsible for the contents or accuracy of any third party website referred to in this document. Virtual medical care

• Free virtual medical care

• Paid virtual medical care Health advice over the phone Emergency dental services Getting a prescription filled online Accessing virtual paramedical services

Virtual medical care Free virtual medical care If you’re in need of medical care, try your family doctor first. Many are offering virtual appointments by phone or video call. Contact your doctor to learn about your options or to set up a virtual appointment. If you don’t have a family doctor or aren’t able to connect virtually with your own doctor, many companies are now offering virtual health care to help people get the services they need when and where it’s convenient for them. Like a virtual visit with your own doctor, consultations are done over the phone or a video call and can include referrals to specialists. Some companies also provide services or mental health services as part of their package. Some of these services are free to use if you live in a province that covers virtual health services and have a valid health card. In provinces where these services aren’t covered by the public plan, the fee may be eligible under a Health Care Spending Account. Virtual care providers whose services are covered in various provinces include: OTN Free for residents of with a valid health card As part of Ontario Health, OTN coordinates many programs that are covered under Ontario’s health care system. In addition to eVisits they can connect your health care team to specialists, support virtual palliative care, and provide mental health resources. Tia Health Free for residents of , and Ontario with a valid health card Tia Health provides on-demand and scheduled access to doctors, psychotherapists, naturopaths, veterinarians and more. You can connect to the doctor by phone, video or secure messaging. Their service also includes prescriptions renewal and delivery, referrals, and mental health resources. Babylon Free for residents of British Columbia with a valid health card Delivered by TELUS Health, Babylon offers a mobile app that allows you to check symptoms, consult with doctors and access your health records. Their Artificial Intelligence asks you questions about your symptoms to suggest possible courses of action. Consultations with doctors occur over video chat and can lead to prescriptions, and referrals. Paid virtual medical care There are several virtual care providers where you can pay by appointment or set up a monthly or annual plan. Like the virtual medical care services covered under provincial plans, these paid services provide access to their network of doctors, nurses and specialists. Their fees may be eligible to claim through your Health Care Spending Account. Virtual care providers who charge a fee for service include: Maple Maple is a digital platform that offers access to doctors and other health practitioners. You submit your symptoms, then get connected with a doctor through text, video or audio chat in order to get a diagnosis and/or prescription. Maple also partners with PopRX to deliver prescriptions to your home. GoEvisit GoEvisit uses artificial intelligence, machine learning and evidence based medicine to reduce consult times to under 10 minutes without any wait. You describe your symptoms in the app, then get a diagnosis and treatment plan from a doctor. GoEvisit has partnered with Alliance Pharmacy to offer free prescription delivery to your pharmacy. Wello Wello provides access to nurse practitioners and medical care coordinators by phone, video or live chat. You can receive treatment advice or a prescription delivered to your home. Wello includes support for one-off and longer term health needs including specialist referrals, and follow up discussions. EQCare EQ Care provides online access to family doctors, nurses and specialists via your mobile device, tablet or computer. You describe your symptoms to an EQ Care team member who then connects you with a doctor. Their services include a mental health exam, prescriptions and referrals.

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Health advice over the phone Every province and territory offers phone-based health services to address non-life-threatening concerns. These phone lines provide free, confidential advice from a registered nurse 24/7. The nurse will ask you questions, assess your symptoms and determine the best care for you. Some of these services are in high demand and wait times may be longer than usual. Check the website for your province or territory’s health services below for more information. In a medical emergency call 911 immediately.

Phone-based health services by province

Phone Province Website Number Alberta 811 Health Link British Columbia 811 HealthLink BC 888.315.9257 Health Links-Info-Santé 811 Tele-Care Newfoundland and 811 811 HealthLine Labrador Health and Social Northwest Territories Services 811 811 Nunavut 867.975.5772 Telehealth Ontario 866.797.0000 Telehealth 811 811 Telehealth Quebec 811 InfoSanté 811 811 HealthLine 811 811 HealthLine

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Emergency dental services Dental associations across the country, including the Canadian Dental Association are recommending that all non-emergency dental services should be postponed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. A dental emergency is any dental problem that needs immediate treatment to save a tooth, stop ongoing bleeding or stop severe pain. Dental emergencies may include: • Knocked out tooth • Toothache • Chipped or broken teeth • Bitten tongue or lip • Objects caught between teeth Do not go to a hospital emergency room for a dental problem. If you think you have an emergency, call your dentist. They will be able to give you advice, set up a visit to their office, or direct you to another dentist who will see emergency patients. You can find more information from your local dental authority, including lists of emergency dental clinics, using the links below.

Province Website Emergency clinics/Find a dentist Alberta ADA&C Find a dentist British Columbia BCDA Dental Emergency Treatment Clinics Manitoba MDA Find A Professional New Brunswick NBDS Find-A-Dentist Newfoundland and NLDA Find a dentist Labrador Dental Clinics (at bottom of home Northwest Territories NWT-NUDA page) Nova Scotia NSDA Find a Dentist in Nova Scotia Dental Clinics (at bottom of home Nunavut NWT-NUDA page) Dental practices offering emergency Ontario ODA services Prince Edward Island DAPEI Directory Quebec Ordre des dentists du Québec Find a dentist Saskatchewan CDSS Find a dentist Yukon Dental Association (no Yukon website)

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Getting a prescription filled online Most major offer online prescription and refill services. Some will also deliver your prescription to your door for free. These can help you save time and more easily manage your prescriptions. Check with your pharmacy to see if they offer online and phone refills or delivery options. Some of the major Canadian pharmacies which provide these services include: • Shoppers Drug Mart • Rexall • Pharmasave

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Accessing virtual paramedical services Some paramedical appointments can be completed over a phone or video call. Like a virtual doctor’s appointment, these virtual paramedical services can help you manage your health when you can’t visit your paramedical provider in person. Paramedical providers that may offer virtual services include: • Physiotherapists • Naturopaths • Registered Dieticians • Psychologists • Social Workers • Occupational Therapists • Speech Therapists • Audiologists • Chiropractors • Podiatrists • Optometrists Check with your paramedical provider to see if they can continue treatment virtually.