When Should You Choose Virtual Urgent Care?

Understand Which Symptoms May Be Treated Online

When you do not feel well, deciding where to receive care can be difficult. Some symptoms may be appropriate for a virtual appointment, while others require an in-person examination or immediate emergency treatment.

VirtualCare2go provides online urgent care for appropriate non-emergency health concerns throughout Texas. Patients can connect with a licensed healthcare professional from home, work, or another private location using a phone or computer. Same-day consultations may also be available.

Understanding what virtual urgent care can and cannot address may help you make a safer, more informed decision.

What Is Virtual Urgent Care?

Virtual urgent care is a remote medical appointment conducted through a secure video connection. It provides an opportunity to discuss symptoms, medical history, medications, allergies, and treatment recommendations with a healthcare professional without traveling to a clinic.

VirtualCare2go is available to patients throughout Texas, including those in:

• Dallas–Fort Worth

• Arlington

• Farmers Branch

• Brownwood

• Houston

• Austin

• El Paso

• San Antonio

• Rural and surrounding Texas communities

VirtualCare2go describes itself as an on-demand telehealth service for non-emergency medical concerns. The service is not intended to replace emergency treatment or every visit with a primary care provider.

When May Virtual Urgent Care Be Appropriate?

A virtual appointment may be a helpful starting point when your symptoms are mild to moderate, do not appear life-threatening, and can be discussed or visually evaluated through video.

Depending on your symptoms and the healthcare professional’s medical judgment, VirtualCare2go may evaluate concerns such as:

• Allergies

• Cough

• Cold or flu symptoms

• Fever

• Sore throat

• Headache

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea or constipation

• Pink eye

• Rashes

• Eczema

• Minor skin infections

• Insect bites

• Ear concerns

• Minor respiratory symptoms

• Urinary symptoms

• Vaginal symptoms

• Other appropriate non-emergency concerns

VirtualCare2go lists these and other non-life-threatening conditions among the concerns its healthcare professionals may evaluate online.

The healthcare professional will determine whether your condition can be addressed virtually or requires in-person evaluation.

When Should You Choose In-Person Care?

Certain conditions require a physical examination, hands-on treatment, laboratory testing, imaging, or another service that cannot be completed through video.

You may be directed to an in-person clinic if you need:

• A detailed examination of an injury

• Stitches or wound care

• Imaging such as an X-ray or ultrasound

• Laboratory testing

• Intravenous medication or fluids

• Evaluation of severe ear pain

• Treatment for a possible broken bone

• Drainage of an abscess

• Assessment of persistent or worsening symptoms

• A procedure that requires physical contact

If the virtual healthcare professional recommends in-person care, follow those instructions promptly.

When Is Virtual Care Not Appropriate?

Do not schedule or wait for a virtual appointment if you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency.

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for:

• Chest pain or pressure

• Severe difficulty breathing

• Signs of a stroke

• Sudden confusion

• Loss of consciousness

• Uncontrolled bleeding

• A serious head injury

• Severe abdominal pain

• A seizure

• Severe allergic-reaction symptoms

• Coughing or vomiting blood

• Thoughts of harming yourself or another person

• Another potentially life-threatening condition

VirtualCare2go’s FAQ specifically advises patients not to use the service for an emergency and to call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room instead.

When you are unsure whether a symptom is an emergency, choose the safer level of care.

How Does a Virtual Appointment Work?

A VirtualCare2go appointment generally involves the following steps:

1. Schedule your appointment

Visit VirtualCare2go to create or access your account and select an available appointment.

2. Describe your concern

Provide information about your symptoms, when they began, your health history, medications, and allergies.

3. Connect with a healthcare professional

Attend the appointment using a phone, tablet, or computer from a private location with a reliable internet connection.

4. Receive your care plan

The healthcare professional may provide guidance, recommend supportive care, prescribe medication when medically appropriate, arrange follow-up, or advise you to seek in-person treatment.

How Should You Prepare?

A few minutes of preparation can help make your virtual appointment more productive.

Have the following ready:

• A government-issued photo ID

• Your current insurance information

• A list of medications and supplements

• Information about medication allergies

• The date your symptoms began

• Recent temperature readings

• Recent blood-pressure readings, if available

• Your preferred pharmacy’s name and address

• Relevant medical records or test results

• A list of questions you want to ask

• A charged device with a working camera and microphone

• A reliable internet connection

Sit in a quiet, well-lit area. If you have a rash, swelling, redness, eye irritation, or another visible concern, position the camera so the healthcare professional can see it clearly.

Can Medication Be Prescribed?

A VirtualCare2go healthcare professional may prescribe an appropriate non-controlled medication when it is medically necessary and permitted by applicable regulations. Prescriptions can be sent to the patient’s selected pharmacy.

A prescription is not guaranteed. The healthcare professional must first determine that the medication is safe and appropriate based on the virtual evaluation.

Medication expenses are separate from the appointment and depend on your insurance plan, pharmacy network, formulary, and deductible.

What About Home Test Results?

A home test can provide useful information, but it may not be enough to establish a diagnosis or determine treatment.

VirtualCare2go states that it cannot diagnose an illness, prescribe medication, or provide work or school documentation based only on a home COVID-19, flu, or strep test. Additional testing performed through the clinic or its healthcare professionals may be required.

Tell the healthcare professional:

• Which test you used

• When you completed it

• What result appeared

• When your symptoms began

• Whether your symptoms are improving or worsening

• Whether you have been exposed to someone who is ill

The healthcare professional can explain the appropriate next step.

How Should You Verify Your Cost?

VirtualCare2go accepts several insurance plans, but coverage and patient responsibility can vary.

Before your appointment, contact your health plan and ask:

• Is VirtualCare2go in my network?

• Is the treating healthcare professional in network?

• Are virtual urgent care visits covered?

• Does my deductible apply?

• Will I have a copay or coinsurance?

• Is prior authorization required?

• Are prescriptions covered separately?

• Are laboratory tests covered separately?

VirtualCare2go also offers a self-pay rate for online urgent care consultations. Check the current price and payment requirements when scheduling, as rates may change.

Get Appropriate Care Without Leaving Home

Virtual urgent care can provide a convenient way to discuss many non-emergency symptoms with a licensed healthcare professional. It may be especially helpful when transportation is difficult, you live far from a clinic, or you need timely medical guidance from home.

Visit VirtualCare2go online urgent care to learn more, review the frequently asked questions, or call (817) 508-8169 for scheduling assistance.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for any potentially life-threatening condition.