There's a new(ish) way to get your health care. It's called telemedicine - but what is it? What is telemedicine? It's a simple concept: talking to a doctor on the phone. At Hippo Health, we call it a 'new-old' concept. New because it still seems to be in an early adoption phase in its V2 iteration, and old because your grandparents likely used telemedicine regularly. It hearkens back to a time when health care was simpler, easier, and personal. When you needed care, you called your doctor. Your doctor would then, if necessary, drive out to your house and, well, care for you. Since then our system has become layered - overburdened clinics, insurance plans, co-pays, deductibles, Urgent Care vs ER visits, endless new regulation and legislation - and countless nuanced, behind-the-scenes changes that our beleaguered health care system struggles to keep up with.
Flu season is upon us. And if you're listening to the news, you're likely to be, well, freaking out. The 2018 flu season is ramping up to be one of the worst yet, with half of the nation's states reporting especially high flu activity. Why is the 2018 flu epidemic making headlines for its intensity? For one, it began earlier than in past years, extending the flu season past the standard timeline. Another factor: this year's dominant strain is known for making people sicker than past viruses. What can you do to avoid this rampant and potentially dangerous flu virus? The first step is getting a flu vaccination. While the flu season peaks from December through March, experts predict we won't be out of the woods until May. (Don't know where to get your flu shot? Check out the CDC's Vaccine Finder for flu vaccine providers in your local area).
