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CVS Health’a retail MinuteClinic on Wednesday announced MinuteClinic Video Visits, a new virtual healthcare offering designed to assist people with minor illnesses and injuries, skin conditions, and other wellness needs.
It is available for both Android and iOS in nine states: Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, New Hampshire and Virginia. It also is available in Washington, D.C. and they are offering 24/7 access to healthcare services via mobile devices.
A MinuteClinic Video Visit costs US$59, payable by credit or debit card. “Since it’s currently a paid service, it’s available to any and all consumers who live in the states where the service is offered,” Lanctot noted.
The service is available to patients who are at least two years old. Treatment is limited to minor illnesses, minor injuries, or a skin condition.
Information on the conditions treated through MinuteClinic Video Visits is available on the CVS Pharmacy app and a standard video visit is 15 minutes, “the amount of time needed to handle most medical conditions,”
How MinuteClinic Video Visits Work
MinuteClinic Video Visits are initiated through the CVS Pharmacy app, which runs on the technology platform provided by virtual care provider Teladoc, a CVS partner for the past three years.
A patient first has to complete a health questionnaire using the mobile app. The service then will provide access to a board-certified healthcare provider licensed in the patient’s state. The provider will review the completed questionnaire with the patient’s medical history and commence the video visit.
During the visit, the provider will assess the patient’s condition and determine the appropriate course of treatment following evidence-based clinical care guidelines.
The provider will submit prescriptions to the patient’s preferred pharmacy if a prescription is required as part of the treatment plan.
If it’s determined that the patient should be seen in person for follow-up care or testing, the provider will recommend that the patient visit a local healthcare provider, such as the patient’s primary care physician or a nearby MinuteClinic.
“The providers all follow MinuteClinic’s evidence-based clinical guidelines, so [patients] will receive the same high-quality, affordable and convenient care provided in our in-store clinics,” Lanctot said.
Among the minor illnesses covered by the MinuteClinic Video Visits service:
Coughs and bronchitis
Diarrhea
Earaches and ear infections
Flu-like symptoms
Gout
Heartburn and indigestion
Nausea
Pink eye
Seasonal allergies
Sinus infections
Sore throats
Sexually transmitted diseases
Upper respiratory infections
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Vomiting
Injuries covered include blisters, bug bites, joint pains, minor burns and cuts, sprains, stings and strains.
Skin conditions include athlete’s foot, eczema, impetigo, lice, minor psoriasis, poison ivy and oak reactions, ringworm, scabies, shingles, skin rash, sunburn and warts.
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