With telemedicine coming to the fore with the spread of COVID-19, the Dallas County Hospital Family Medicine Clinics in Perry and Panora now have capabilities for Virtual Visits.
A Virtual Visit allows patients to meet with their local primary care providers through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video chat without leaving the comfort and security of their homes.
Individuals should call their medical service providers to find out if Virtual Visits are appropriate for their conditions.
Patient Virtual Visits will be conducted with their local DCH Family Medicine Clinics health care provider, who they already know and trust. During a Virtual Visit, providers can conduct a routine appointment, prescribe medications, coordinate additional treatment options and assess whether further care is needed.
Virtual Visits are treated the same as in-person visits, and the provider, patient and patient’s guardian should be the only individuals present during the visit.
All a patients needs for a Virtual Visit is a smart phone or a tablet (with built-in camera) and access to broadband internet service. Once the Virtual Visit is scheduled, patients will receive a link from DCH Family Medicine Clinics.
During the COVID-19 crisis, it is crucially important patients stay well and manage chronic conditions. This includes maintaining wellness appointments.
“We’re excited to continue to introduce the capabilities of Virtual Visits to our communities,” said Dr. Eric Ash, medical director at Dallas County Hospital and Family Medicine Clinics. “Right now, we are telling individuals to stay home if they are sick unless seeking medical care. This is another way we can provide care to patients from the comfort of their homes while staying safe in their homes unless further attention is needed.”
For information on your insurance coverage for Virtual Visits, contact your insurance carrier for guidance on how you will be billed based on your plan. Virtual Visits can be appropriate as a follow-up visit for an acute condition, for medication management for chronic conditions, for reviewing test results and for other types of visits in which close physical examination is not needed.
Virtual Visits are not for emergency situations. If you are experiencing a life-threatening situation, call 9-1-1. For those who have symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, call your primary care physician’s office to determine if a Virtual Visit is appropriate.
To learn more about Virtual Visits and determine if a Virtual Visit is appropriate for your condition or to schedule an appointment, call the DCH Family Medicine in Panora at 641-755-2121 or the DCH Family Medicine in Perry at 515-465-3553.
Macinzie McFarland is the marketing manager of the Dallas County Hospital and Family Medicine Clinics.
