Acid Reflux / GERD Treatment
Covered by UnitedHealthcare in Illinois

Omeprazole 20–40mg daily (PPI — first-line); pantoprazole 40mg daily; esomeprazole 20–40mg daily

Famotidine 20–40mg twice daily (H2 blocker) for mild GERD or PPI intolerance; sucralfate for esophageal protection

Yes — omeprazole and pantoprazole are generic Tier 1 drugs covered by virtually all commercial plans. Typically $4–$15/month.

PPIs most effective taken 30–60 minutes before first meal. Long-term PPI use reviewed for appropriateness. Red flag symptoms (dysphagia, odynophagia, weight loss, hematemesis) require in-person/endoscopy referral.

Yes. UnitedHealthcare commercial plans cover telehealth visits for Acid Reflux / GERD in Illinois. TeleDirectMD (Dr. Parth Bhavsar, MD, NPI: 1104323203) is an in-network telehealth provider with UnitedHealthcare in Illinois. Your standard UnitedHealthcare telehealth copay applies — typically $0–$30 for most commercial plans. If clinically appropriate, your prescription is sent to your Illinois pharmacy immediately after your visit.

Most UnitedHealthcare commercial plans in Illinois have telehealth copays of $0–$30. Often $0 for employer plans. Your exact cost depends on your specific plan and whether your deductible has been met. Log into your UnitedHealthcare member portal or call the member services number on your card to verify your telehealth copay before your acid reflux / gerd visit. Self-pay is always available for a flat $49 if you prefer to skip insurance.

Clinical symptom assessment: heartburn frequency, regurgitation, nocturnal symptoms, aggravating factors, response to prior antacids. Alarm symptom screen: dysphagia, weight loss, anemia symptoms, hematemesis. Telehealth is a well-established, evidence-based modality for acid reflux / gerd management. The same clinical standards used in an in-person office visit are applied — you are seen by Dr. Bhavsar, MD, a board-certified physician, not a nurse practitioner or PA.

For acid reflux / gerd, Dr. Bhavsar may prescribe: Omeprazole 20–40mg daily (PPI — first-line); pantoprazole 40mg daily; esomeprazole 20–40mg daily. Alternatives include: Famotidine 20–40mg twice daily (H2 blocker) for mild GERD or PPI intolerance; sucralfate for esophageal protection. Yes — omeprazole and pantoprazole are generic Tier 1 drugs covered by virtually all commercial plans. Typically $4–$15/month. PPIs most effective taken 30–60 minutes before first meal. Long-term PPI use reviewed for appropriateness. Red flag symptoms (dysphagia, odynophagia, weight loss, hematemesis) require in-person/endoscopy referral.

Yes. If Dr. Bhavsar, MD determines that a prescription is clinically appropriate for your acid reflux / gerd symptoms, it is sent electronically to your preferred Illinois pharmacy the moment your visit ends. UnitedHealthcare covers the telehealth visit itself (billed as CPT 99213/99214). Your prescription is then covered by your UnitedHealthcare pharmacy benefit — check your plan's formulary for your specific medication's tier and cost.

If your specific UnitedHealthcare plan is not in-network with TeleDirectMD in Illinois, or if your deductible has not yet been met, you can book as a self-pay patient for a flat $49 fee — same physician, same quality of care, no insurance needed. You may also be eligible to submit an out-of-network claim to UnitedHealthcare for partial reimbursement depending on your plan's out-of-network benefit.

TeleDirectMD typically offers same-day and next-day video visits. Book at teledirectmd.com/book-online and select a time that works for you. Most patients are seen within a few hours of booking during business hours. Your acid reflux / gerd symptoms are evaluated by Dr. Bhavsar, MD — not a nurse practitioner or PA — ensuring you receive a board-certified clinical assessment.

Yes — your UnitedHealthcare pharmacy benefit applies to prescriptions written during a covered telehealth visit. Yes — omeprazole and pantoprazole are generic Tier 1 drugs covered by virtually all commercial plans. Typically $4–$15/month.. Check your UnitedHealthcare formulary or call your pharmacy with your UnitedHealthcare member ID to confirm your copay before pickup. Most first-line medications for acid reflux / gerd are Tier 1 or Tier 2 generics covered by virtually all commercial plans.

Yes. TeleDirectMD is operated by Dr. Parth Bhavsar, MD (NPI: 1104323203), a board-certified Family Medicine physician. TeleDirectMD is LegitScript certified, HIPAA compliant, and is contracted as an in-network telehealth provider with UnitedHealthcare in Illinois. Claims are billed using standard CPT codes (99213/99214) and submitted electronically to UnitedHealthcare.

Medicaid (UnitedHealthcare Community Plan), Medicare fee-for-service, AARP Medicare Advantage If your plan is not listed, self-pay is available for $49 flat — no insurance required, same physician and quality of care.

Yes. After your telehealth visit, UnitedHealthcare will process the claim and send you an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) — typically within 2–4 weeks by mail or available sooner in your UnitedHealthcare member portal. The EOB shows the amount billed (CPT 99213 or 99214), what UnitedHealthcare paid, and your responsibility (copay or deductible portion). This is standard for any in-network physician visit.

Yes. Telehealth visits with a licensed physician are qualified medical expenses eligible for FSA (Flexible Spending Account) and HSA (Health Savings Account) payment. If your UnitedHealthcare plan applies your deductible first, your FSA or HSA card can be used to pay your portion. The $49 self-pay option is also FSA/HSA eligible.