Choosing Virtual Urgent Care Providers

Choosing Virtual Urgent Care Providers

When choosing a virtual urgent care provider, consider the features, cost, and limitations of your coverage. A direct connection with your EHR solution will allow you to create and update patient records from a virtual urgent care service. This is a critical aspect of any virtual urgent care service. Virtual urgent care is often cheaper than traditional urgent care, but there are some downsides to virtual care. In this article, we'll explain some of the key features of virtual urgent care providers, as well as how to make the most of your insurance.

Cost of virtual urgent care

Although virtual urgent care services may seem expensive, there are several advantages to using them. A recent study by Cigna, a large health insurance company, found that they are less expensive than in-person visits. For example, a virtual specialist visit cost $120 less than an in-person visit, while an emergency room visit cost $3403 more. The study also found that virtual urgent care appointments decreased the need for unnecessary lab tests, saving the payer an average of $118 per episode of care.

The study also found that patients using VC saved thirteen minutes per visit, which has significant implications for public health. Not only does it minimize patient wait times at urgent care centers, but it also reduces environmental pollution. In addition, the difference between in-person and virtual UC visits was statistically significant, with the cost of travel and the turn-around time both significantly less than those of an in-person visit. Further, the P values were close to zero, suggesting that virtual care is cost-effective for both the provider and the patient.

Providers that offer virtual urgent care services

Virtual urgent care is a type of online health service aimed at treating non-emergency conditions that are not serious enough to require a trip to the doctor. Virtual doctors, such as those at NYU Langone, use an integrated medical record system to diagnose and treat patients. Virtual physicians can instantly prescribe medication and perform tests and imaging, while arranging follow-up appointments with specialists. Thousands of patients have already used virtual urgent care services since they were first introduced to the market in September 2017.

Mass General Brigham, for example, offers virtual urgent care services. Through a secure, interactive video visit, a consumer can see a doctor from the comfort of their home. Virtual urgent care services are available for adults and children 3 and older, though children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. It is important to note that virtual urgent care is not a substitute for an emergency visit. This type of service is designed to address minor ailments, such as minor cuts and scrapes, without the need for a physical examination.

Limitations of virtual urgent care

While telehealth-based urgent care services aren't the solution to every problem, many minor to moderate medical issues are appropriate for virtual visits. Patients can save time and money by consulting with a physician on demand from the comfort of their homes. While virtual urgent care services are not for every condition, they are appropriate for many ailments, including allergies, sinus infections, sore throats, and urinary tract infections. Here are a few limitations of virtual urgent care.

One limitation is that virtual doctors may not be as efficient as physicians in the real world. While the virtual visits may save time and inconvenience, they don't guarantee high-quality care. Depending on the severity of the illness, virtual visits may require more staff time than in-person visits. Ultimately, though, virtual care services should increase efficiency over time. As a result, virtual care services could drive productivity and reduce footprints at health systems.

Coverage

If you are a Mass General Brigham patient in Massachusetts, you can take advantage of virtual urgent care services coverage. The cost of virtual urgent care on-demand depends on your health plan. Once you've registered for the virtual urgent care service, you can call and set up a video visit. Typically, these visits cost no more than $50. Mass General Brigham will bill your health plan for the services provided. The service is available to established Mass General Brigham patients in Massachusetts.

A study by Cigna, along with its telehealth arm MDLive, found that virtual care can reduce visits to the ER and urgent care by 19 percent. It also reduced duplication of care by 16%. This reduction in unnecessary visits is crucial for the COVID-19 outbreak, which is caused by a highly infectious omicron variant. In addition to the cost savings, virtual urgent care also saves on travel time.