JetMED Tucson -Virtual Urgent Care Tucson is a convenient way to receive care for non-life-threatening medical concerns. It’s a video appointment with a board-certified Columbia or Weill Cornell doctor that takes place through your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Online urgent care helps reduce healthcare system overload by funneling attention for non-life threatening conditions away from in-person emergency departments and urgent care clinics. It’s also more affordable and often covered by insurance.
Virtual urgent care is a great way to get treatment for minor illnesses and injuries. It’s also an excellent alternative to costly emergency room visits. If your symptoms are life-threatening, see a doctor in person at a hospital emergency department or call 911.
When you’re sick over the weekend or after clinic hours, a virtual visit lets you talk to your healthcare provider without leaving home. Geisinger offers several options for your convenience.
During a Virtual Urgent Care visit, you meet with a healthcare provider using video technology over the Internet. The healthcare provider will ask you questions about your medical history, symptoms and signs. The healthcare provider will then diagnose your condition and recommend a treatment plan.
Your Virtual Urgent Care visit is recorded and stored in your electronic medical record for your future reference. This allows your primary care physician to follow-up on your symptoms and needs.
Whether you have a rash, cough, stomachache or other medical concern, a virtual care visit can help you feel better fast. During the virtual visit, you will have real-time access to an adult or pediatric emergency medicine doctor. The doctor will discuss your symptoms and recommend treatment over the Internet.
Before your appointment, make sure you have a computer or mobile device with a webcam and microphone. It’s best to have a high-speed Internet connection for the best experience. If you’re experiencing trouble with your connection, check that you have the latest version of your browser or try another device. Make sure to close any other programs that are running on your device.
If you’re a Geisinger member, log in to MyChart and select “Urgent Care Visit.” Then select the date and time of your telehealth appointment. You’ll be prompted to enter the virtual waiting room, much like you would at an in-person clinic.
Virtual Urgent Care is available for most non-life threatening medical concerns, such as headaches, sinus infections, allergies and colds. It’s also good for minor injuries, such as sore muscles, sprains or lacerations. You can even receive a prescription for many common medications, including antibiotics. If your condition requires more extensive testing, a referral to a specialist may be necessary.
Preparing for Your Visit
Virtual Urgent Care allows you to connect with a doctor remotely by video chat through your smartphone, tablet or computer. We’ll help you assess your symptoms and recommend a treatment plan, including medications when appropriate. Virtual visits can be a helpful supplement to your primary care provider’s office, when it’s not possible to get an appointment within the same day. However, it should not be used as a substitute for emergency care or for in-person urgent care visits, where a physical exam is needed.
You can schedule a telehealth visit with a Geisinger medical provider online or through your MyChart account. When you’re ready to get started, simply click “Enter Waiting Room” to join the virtual waiting room and choose a time to talk with your physician.
The telehealth visit flow is similar to that of an in-person visit, starting with check-in questions and health history information. Then, you’ll have a video call with the doctor who will evaluate your symptoms, answer any questions and determine a treatment plan. If necessary, your provider will guide you on-screen to show hard-to-reach areas of your body.
During the visit, it’s important that you find a private space to talk with your provider. This will help you feel comfortable and give them the best opportunity to make an accurate diagnosis. You should also have all your relevant healthcare information handy, including a list of your current medications, a copy of your insurance card and test results. You should also have a pen and paper to write down your symptoms and any questions you may have.
Your physician will write a prescription for any recommended treatments, if appropriate. When your telehealth visit is complete, your provider will send the prescription to the pharmacy of your choice and follow up with you to schedule any appointments or tests that may be needed. The visit will also be recorded in your Epic MyChart record, so your regular care provider will receive a copy of the notes from your urgent care visit. Your MyChart account can be accessed through the MyChart app or website.
During Your Visit
Virtual Urgent Care is designed to treat a wide variety of non-emergency medical concerns. This includes common colds and flu, allergies, ear infections, stomach pain and sprains or strains. It’s also useful for minor injuries such as cuts, minor burns and stings. Children often benefit from having their ear infections, coughs and fevers evaluated by an experienced pediatrician without the need to travel out of their home.
When you’re ready to have a video visit, please click “Enter the virtual waiting room.” Then select a time slot that works for you. This is much like registering for an in-person appointment. The virtual wait time averages 15 minutes or less. You may be asked to answer a few simple health questions before being connected with your provider.
During the visit, your doctor will assess your symptoms and recommend a treatment plan. If needed, a prescription will be sent electronically to your local pharmacy. This will save you the time of having to drive and wait in a busy retail store. It will also ensure that your prescription is properly filled.
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist if they determine that you need more extensive medical attention. You can also ask your provider for a referral to another health care professional, such as a physical therapist or nutritionist.
If you need follow-up care, your doctor will contact you with instructions on how to get in touch with a nurse or schedule an appointment at one of our offices. You can even choose to have your next follow-up visit with a Geisinger healthcare provider via Virtual Urgent Care.
When your appointment is scheduled, make sure you have a desktop or laptop computer, smartphone or tablet and a reliable internet connection. Log in to MyChart and choose the Virtual Urgent Care option. If you’re using this service for the first time, you will need to register. Otherwise, you can sign in using your current MyChart login.
Once you’re logged in, prepare for your visit by choosing a quiet and well-lit room that’s free from distractions. You should also have your insurance card and driver’s license handy.
After Your Visit
Whether you’re experiencing a minor illness or an injury that won’t wait for your regular doctor to be available, virtual care offers the quick and convenient treatment you need. During your visit, you’ll have access to your provider through a computer, tablet, or smartphone with a secure and stable internet connection.
To get started, download the NYP Connect app from your smartphone’s app store or visit your desktop and follow the simple instructions to check-in. You will be asked to provide some basic information about your health and any symptoms you are experiencing. Then you’ll have a virtual appointment with a board-certified Columbia or Weill Cornell physician. Virtual urgent care can treat a variety of medical concerns including minor injuries, flu and cold symptoms, ear infections, sinus issues, and many others. It can also be a helpful way to discuss ongoing chronic health conditions with your doctor.
While virtual visits are convenient and safe, they’re not appropriate for addressing life-threatening symptoms or when a physical exam is needed. Your physician may recommend you see a specialist or refer you to the emergency room for in-person care. During your appointment, you’ll have the ability to ask your doctor questions about your condition and learn how to best manage it. If you require medication, your doctor will send a prescription directly to your pharmacy, and you can usually pick it up the same day.
You’ll also receive a written summary of your visit that is saved in your MyChart account for easy reference by you and your healthcare team. This information can help guide your future decisions about your health and wellbeing. If you have any questions or concerns about your telehealth visit, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
With telehealth services available 24/7, we can help you stay healthy no matter what time of day or night it is. And best of all, you can avoid the long waits and hassle of going to an urgent care center or the emergency room when your symptoms are mild. So next time you’re battling a sinus infection, food poisoning, or even a fever, remember that the doctors at Montefiore Einstein are just a click away.