Northwest Healthcare, which runs Northwest Medical Center and Oro Valley Hospital, is now offering virtual doctor visits for non-emergency health conditions through on an online app.
The service, called VirtualHealthNow, lets Tucsonans visit via videoconference with a doctor, anytime, anywhere via a mobile device, computer or tablet, Northwest says.
The service can be accessed from a free app called VirtualHealthNow, downloaded from Google Play or the App Store, or on the web at HealthierTucson.com.
Northwest Healthcare says VirtualHealthNow is intended for patients who have an urgent need to see a physician for minor health concerns like sinus problems, fever, ear infections, cold and flu symptoms, allergies, migraines or stomach pain.
Board-certified physicians participate through Northwest Healthcareβs telemedicine partner, American Well. The doctors evaluate and diagnose the patients and can send prescriptions for non-controlled drugs to a pharmacy.
The virtual doctor visits cost $49, payable by debit or credit card, including Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account cards.
Patients who sign up for a free VirtualHealthNow account by Feb. 14 will be registered to win one of five Fitbit Flex fitness tracker prizes; no purchase is necessary to win.
The rollout of VirtualHealthNow comes about two months after the company began offering online scheduling for emergency-room and urgent-care center visits.
Besides the two hospitals, Northwest Healthcare includes Northwest Emergency Center, six Northwest Urgent Care locations, The Womenβs Center at Northwest, Northwest Allied Physicians, Desert Cardiology and The Heart Center of Southern Arizona.
