Pixabay/AtlantiCare has established a same-day virtualist telehealth program.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made people less comfortable with some things and more comfortable with others. In the primary care arena, this has created a pull of opposing forces that leaders in the space are working to remedy, and that is why AtlantiCare recently introduced same-day telehealth service through its Virtualist Program.
On the positive side, lockdowns have elevated people’s comfort with and access to telehealth appointments. On the downside, Americans are using primary care doctors less and less — a worrisome trend that created a 25% drop in adult visits to primary care providers between 2008-2016 and 46% of adults going at least a year without a visit. As the foundation of an effective health system, the patient benefits of having a primary care provider are many, ranging from longer life expectancy to time and cost savings.
AtlantiCare has introduced its same-day telehealth service to tackle the primary care challenge head on, while providing adults an effective, critical health option for today’s world. Virtualists can advise on more than a dozen concerns such as medication changes and side effects, diet and exercise, screening recommendations and more.
Telehealth Medical Director Dr. Mary Ann Yehl, AtlantiCare said a same-day telehealth “virtualist” has been witnessing the drop in primary care and knows how without those visits, other health concerns may go unaddressed.
“What every visit with an AtlantiCare virtualist has the potential to do is to provide a stepping stone for patients to embark on a journey to the consistent primary care services that can prevent critical health issues and empower longer term health and wellness,” she said.
Patients can use a smartphone, tablet or computer to book and have their appointment when and where it is best for them. AtlantiCare’s Virtualist Program takes most health insurances. It offers a self-pay option that starts at $59.
Individuals can schedule a same-day telehealth appointment with an AtlantiCare primary care virtualist by booking online at www.atlanticare.org/telehealth or calling 1-833-692-7436.
