When Congress passed the first of three coronavirus relief packages in early March, it included an important provision waiving Medicare restrictions on providing telehealth services to seniors. Additionally, many major medical insurance carriers have recently added a telemedicine option. That’s good news, but what about those who don’t have Medicare or other coverage that includes virtual doctor visits?
Members’ health coverage is one of the dozens of concerns—arguably the most pressing—that NAR leaders have been grappling with since the COVID-19 pandemic began tightening its grip on the United States. In response to the current emergency, NAR announced it would fund a major benefit for members in need: two months of enrollment in Members TeleHealthSM, a service that provides 24-hour access to a network of more than 2,300 U.S. state-licensed and board-certified physicians who have the ability to address a wide variety of non-emergency medical issues and write prescriptions if medically necessary.
Through May 31, REALTORS® without a telemedicine plan can enroll and receive this benefit at no cost for two months.
“This is about caring about the health and welfare of our members, ” says NAR CEO Bob Goldberg. “We want to do whatever we can to ease members’ anxieties at this unprecedented time.”
After the funded period ends, members can continue with the service at a substantial discount through NAR’s REALTOR Benefits® Program—$7 per month. That’s a 50% discount from the previous pricing, negotiated by NAR on members’ behalf; plus the enrollment fee will be waived. Members already enrolled in Members' TeleHealth (it has been part of the REALTORS® Insurance Marketplace since 2015) will automatically receive the two-month benefit and then enjoy the new, lower price thereafter.
“NAR isn’t new to telemedicine,” Goldberg says, “so I can tell you with confidence that Members TeleHealth is a top-notch, national program that provides virtual care 24/7, even on holidays, via smartphone, tablet, or computer.
This benefit for members in need is part of NAR’s Right Tools, Right Now initiative, launched in March to provide members with access to valuable educational resources and tools at reduced or no cost.
Educational courses and webinars offered as part of Right Tools, Right Now include “Financial Tips During Challenging Times: A Business Survival Guide”; e-PRO certification courses, which help REALTORS® master advanced digital marketing techniques; and the 2020 Technology Trends webinar. There are also free commercial courses in financial modeling, leasing, and use of market data. Association staff will find free association management self-study courses.
Source: magazine.realtor
