Naples, Fla.-based NCH Healthcare System launched a remote care program for patients with non-emergency conditions last month, the Naples Daily News reports.
Here are five things to know about the program.
1. The telemedicine program is targeted toward patients with minor conditions, such as rashes, urinary tract infections and sinusitis.
2. To access the service, a patient fills out a form online and requests to speak with a NCH Physician Group physician via video conference. Eight to 10 physicians are scheduled to respond to the telemedicine service each day.
3. If a physician does not respond to a patient request within 10 minutes, a physician from Carena — an independent telemedicine company NCH Healthcare System contracts to coordinate the program — will take the call. Carena also works with the NCH Physician Group to train physicians.
4. Twenty-six people requested a telemedicine visit during the first three weeks after the program's launch, eight of which were held after typical hospital hours.
5. NCH Healthcare System charges an out-of-pocket fee of $45 for each telemedicine visit. If a patient is referred to an in-person appointment at NCH Healthcare System, the $45 will be credited toward the office charge.