As a busy travel mom who runs her own business, the last thing I want to find myself doing is spending hours of my day sitting in the doctor’s office for less than 5 minutes of face time with a physician or nurse. Not only do I have better things to do, but after studying in the healthcare field, I know the last thing a weakened immune system needs is to spend time in a germy health care provider’s office. Especially now that we have alternatives that involve sitting from the comfort of my home with my favorite crochet blanket and a hot cup of tea – ie, a virtual visit with an online health care provider like Providence Health Express.
Providence Health Express offers virtual visits with health care providers to those residing in California, Washington and Oregon. Extended service hours and visits for just $39 are only two of the reasons you will fall in love this service, as I have.
9 Reasons to See an Online Health Care Provider
Quick diagnosis and treatment for a common health concern
Many times a visit to the doctor is simply to get treatment for a common health concern: a case of sinusitis, an allergy flare up, a case of conjunctivitis (pink eye) or even a lingering cold; all issues that can be diagnosed and treated by seeing a virtual visit with a health care provider.
Too sick or contagious
One of my favorite parts about this service is that you are being “seen” from the comfort of your home. So even those days where you are too sick to get out of bed, or you can’t bear to ask your little one to leave the house or you just plain don’t feel like sitting in the same room with a whole bunch of other sick people, then this.
Walk-in clinic is closed
Most walk-in clinics are closed by late afternoon so you are faced with the choice of a long and costly ER visit or putting it off until the morning – and missing time at work. With online service providers like Providence Health eXpress, you can speak with a healthcare provider from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Pacific time), 7 days per week!
Avoid Traffic and Parking
LA traffic is notoriously awful. It can take over an hour just to go a measly 10 miles. The last thing you want to do when you’re sick with the sniffles is sit in the smog of an LA traffic jam.
Low Wait Times
Providence Health eXpress offers low wait times, on average under 5 minutes, compared to 30 minutes to an hour with another virtual visit provider. Even better, you can opt to receive a text when the provider is ready to see you so you don’t need to wait around staring at your phone.
Second opinions
There are times when patients want a second opinion. Perhaps they think they were misdiagnosed, or new symptoms have occurred since their appointment. A quick chat with a healthcare provider can provide peace of mind.
Travelers
Visiting a health care provider while traveling can be costly and difficult. With online healthcare services you don’t need to live in the state you’re calling from! So patients calling from California, Oregon or Washington can obtain services from Providence Health eXpress.
High deductible plans or No Insurance
According to debt.org, the average charge for an office visit for an established patient requiring approximately 15 minutes with a doctor, was $104. Yet a virtual visit with a health care provider, from the comfort of your home, at Providence Health eXpress costs a mere $39 – cheaper than the cost of many deductibles!
Prescription refills
Spending hours sitting in a doctor’s office for a simple prescription renewal can feel like a colossal waste of time. With online services, you easily get a prescription refill while doing something better with your time – like soaking up the sun or admiring your garden.
What are some ways that you have used online health provider services?
This post is written on behalf of Providence Health by me. All opinions remain my own.