During pandemic situations like the COVID-19 outbreak, telehealth services provide people with continued access to healthcare while staying at home in a safe environment. Medical practices and care centers are able to use telehealth video visits to diagnose and treat many conditions without an in-person visit or physical examination.
Read on to learn more about telehealth video visits and their benefits.
Telehealth in general refers to online medical care services that allow you to interact with your healthcare provider through audio-video technology. These video visits facilitate the ability to offer high-quality healthcare assistance or follow-up care without coming to the office in person. Telehealth video visits are cost-effective, convenient, and accessible from any location.
To have a video visit, you only need a smartphone, computer, or tablet with a microphone, camera, and internet connection. During the video visit, your healthcare provider will review your medical history and ask questions to understand your health and discuss your current condition or problem.
Some factors, such as blood pressure, weight, and temperature, may be measured depending on the medical instruments available at your location. Just like with an in-person visit, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication, order tests or other treatments and provide instructions for follow-up care if required.
You can schedule a video visit with our online healthcare provider either by calling us or completing our online Urgent Care reservation form. Our representative will call you to confirm the appointment eligibility, date, and time.
Our telehealth visits are private, meaning it will be a 1-on-1 video visit with your healthcare provider. No one else will be present during the video visit and your conversation will be kept confidential.
Telehealth video visits are secure and encrypted as our systems strictly adhere to national security standards and utilize a HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliant platform. You can expect to have a safe and secure telehealth video visit with your healthcare provider.
Yes, your healthcare provider can provide new prescriptions or refill existing ones for most types of medications during the video visit.
Many health conditions that can be treated on telehealth visit. These may include:
When you schedule your video visit, it will be determined whether an in-person visit is suggested. Typically, the following conditions would require an in-person visit:
Most health plans expanded their coverage to include telehealth services during the Covid-19 crisis. To be certain, you should check with your insurance plan to verify that telehealth visits are a covered benefit.
Telehealth video visits offer substantial benefits, including:
Safety: During the Covid-19 pandemic, it is essential to reduce exposure for both patients and medical staff. Telehealth is widely accepted as the best means to provide safe access to necessary healthcare services in times like this.
Continuity of Care: For patients with chronic medical conditions, telehealth services provide access to routine and follow-up care from the safety of your home. Telehealth is the safe alternative to avoid potential infection for patients who need to see their healthcare providers on a consistent basis, such as those with chronic medical conditions like diabetes, blood pressure, heart problems, and asthma.
Convenience and Access: Telehealth video visits can be scheduled at the patient’s convenience and will typically reduce wait time.
No Travel Time or Costs: Travel time and related costs are eliminated with virtual visits. Also, there is no hassle finding a parking spot!
For the safety and health of our patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, Family Care Centers is offering telehealth video visit services at our primary and urgent care centers in Irvine, Fountain Valley, and Costa Mesa. Learn more about our telehealth video visit services.
Dr. Bunten is originally from Huntington Beach, CA. He attended high school in Tokyo, Japan, went to college at UC San Diego and then to medical school in the Midwest. He returned home to California for residency training in Family Medicine at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. His immediate family all reside in Huntington Beach.
Dr Fishbein has been in the practice of family medicine for over 35 years in Irvine. He received his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University, medical degree from Chicago Medical School, and completed his family medicine residency at Memorial Hospital of Long Beach.
Dr. Kim is the Medical Director of Family Care Centers, Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Hoag Hospital, and a recipient of the Physicians of Excellence award from the Orange County Medical Association. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine, and has been practicing in our community for over 20 years.
Dr. Memon is a board certified Family Medicine physician and recently completed her fellowship in Geriatrics at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. She attended Saint George’s University, School of Medicine and completed her residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Her interest in medicine started at an early age and has since evolved into a passionate career.
Dr. Gina Nguyen obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Irvine where she graduated Suma Cum Laude. She went to USC Keck School of Medicine, and returned to UC Irvine for a Family Medicine Residency. Since 2005, she worked at Kaiser Permanente, VNCOC, and Family Care Center Urgent Care.
Dr. Williams is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. He is a native to Orange County and returned home after completing his medical degree at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. After completing his residency in family practice he successfully completed a fellowship in sports medicine.
Dr. Hye Lee is a board-certified Family Practice Physician, affiliated with the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice.She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Riverside and earned her medical degree from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center. Afterward, she did her internship at Downey Regional Medical Center in California and has been a primary care physician since 2005.
Dr. Coyne is a board certified family practice physician and a California native. He completed his undergraduate degree at UCLA before earning his medical degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Dr Coyne spent 6 years in the US Air Force at Andrews and Luke Air Force bases, eventually separating as a Major. He enjoys working with patients of all ages.”
Dr. Jay Friehling is a Family Practice physician who has worked in Orange County since 1981. Born in Florida, he received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and then earned a Medical Degree at the New York Medical College.” His healthcare interests include Diabetes, Geriatric Care, and Hospice Care.
Dr. Jennifer Shoquist is board certified in Family Medicine. Her special interest is woman’s health and her practice accepts patients from 6 years old to seniors. Dr. Shoquist received her M.D. degree at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston in Houston, Texas, and did her residency with Memorial Family Practice at memorial Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Tom is a board certified family medicine physician and native Californian. He received his bachelors of science with great distinction in biochemistry and honors in chemistry. Dr. Tom was awarded a Regents Scholarship to attend medical school at UC Irvine.
Dr. Yan attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Family Practice residency at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, California. She joined Family Care Center in 2001. She chose Family Practice because she enjoys working with a wide variety of people and because it provides a unique opportunity for continuing care.
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