Online physician visits now an option

This month, CoxHealth began offering eVisits at some physician offices. EVisits
allow participating physicians to communicate with and provide care to established patients who need help with routine concerns via the internet.

Any patient of a participating physician can use the service, but the cost varies depending on the patient’s insurance plan. For some patients, the cost is significantly less than a standard office visit.

EVisits is an expansion of CoxHealth’s existing Patient Express service, a secure on-line portal that allows patients to schedule appointments, refill prescriptions, get lab results, journal blood glucose levels and more. The eVisits option lets patients essentially e-mail their physician with a question, and the physician will answer back within normal business hours.

“It’s not instantaneous, but it is timely,” says Dr. Kerry Randolph, medical director of CoxHealth Regional Services. “The physician should respond within half a working day.”

The program is a convenient option for patients with routine concerns that don’t necessarily require face-to-face care.

Dr. Tim Jones with CoxHealth Steeplechase Family Physicians has used the service and says, “For someone who is very familiar with themselves and their typical symptoms, and a physician who is very familiar with that patient, it’s a benefit. It’s definitely convenient for patients, saving them the time and expense of coming into the office for something routine.”

Physicians say patients who often experience the same condition and symptoms, such as a sinus infection or urinary tract infection, are the best candidates for this service. During the course of the eVisit, if the physician decides a prescription is necessary, it can be electronically prescribed to the patient’s pharmacy.

Three CoxHealth clinics are currently trialing the service: Cox Family Medicine Associates and Steeplechase Family Physicians in Springfield, and CoxHealth Center Willard in Willard.

“We’re in the testing phase. Our intention is to roll this out to other clinics as it develops,” says Dr. Randolph.

If during an eVisit the physician determines an office call is needed, there is no eVisit charge and the patient can come into the office and pay as they normally would.

“This is along the same idea as our Walmart Clinics, in that we are offering a unique, convenient service at a lower cost to the patient than the standard physician clinic model,” says Dr. Randolph.