The State of Georgia has long adopted the practice of telemedicine and telehealth as a legitimate mode of delivering health care services. The legislative, state medical boards and local government agencies have set forth various laws, rules, and regulations regarding telemedicine practice. Telehealth and telemedicine, although used interchangeably, actually refer to separate aspects of the practice.
Under the Georgia Telehealth Law, telehealth comprises the wider scope of clinical healthcare, consultations between medical professionals, patient-professional health-related education, public health, and health administration using information and communication technologies. Providers and patients may use telephones, remote patient monitoring devices, and other electronic transmission equipment for telehealth practices.
On the other hand, telemedicine has been defined under the same law as the utilization of two-way interactive audio and video telecommunication technology in availing of clinical healthcare services. The definition does not embrace physician-patient interactions through standard telephone and facsimile transmission when used as a standalone form of communication. Services that fall under telemedicine include assessment, care management, consultation, diagnosis, exchange of medical education, self-management transfer of medical data, and treatment.
All telehealth and telemedicine services shall be rendered without discrimination to all individuals within the State, regardless of the patients being urban or rural area residents. Physician-patient relationships can be established in the absence of face-to-face interactions between the two.
Georgia’s membership in various national licensure compacts shows its dedication to contribute and participate in the advancement of medical practice, including telehealth and telemedicine. Despite the expansion of telehealth and telemedicine, the Georgia Composite Medical Board still strongly suggests making diligent efforts to have patients examined in person at least once a year by healthcare professionals.
Georgia was among the first to enact a payment parity law that has immediately raised telehealth on equal footing with in-person services.
First things first: let’s explore telemedicine services in the Peach State!
- Unmatched Feature of Telemedicine in Georgia
- Georgia State Telemedicine Laws and Policies
- State Reimbursement Policy
- Public Health Emergency (PHE)
- 10 Best Online Doctors and Telemedicine Providers in Georgia
Unmatched Feature of Telemedicine in Georgia
The efforts of the state legislature in expanding and advancing the practice of telemedicine transcends state boundaries. Georgia passed bills pushing for its membership in various licensure compacts. These Acts are now enacted and effective laws in the State of Georgia.
In particular, the State is an active and participating member of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, the Nurse Licensure Compact, the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, and the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact. These Compacts have expedited the process of procuring licenses to engage in telemedicine in other states.
Membership in the Compacts widens the practice of Georgia licensed physicians across other states and has also opened its doors to telepractitioners licensed in other states. Its constituents now have more choices and extensive access to telemedicine providers throughout the country.
Georgia State Telemedicine Laws and Policies
Who can practice telemedicine in Georgia?
All medical professionals licensed in Georgia also enjoy the privilege of practicing telemedicine and offering remote health care services to patients located in the State.
Out-of-State Telehealth Providers
Physicians who are licensed in other states may be issued telemedicine licenses by the Georgia Medical Board if the following conditions are present:
- Full, unrestricted license to practice in a different state
- Absence of any disciplinary or any other action against him or her by regulatory boards in another jurisdiction
- Compliance with state board requirements and other regulations to maintain the quality of the service and ensure the safety of the patients in the State
However, the ultimate overseer of the patient’s healthcare located within the State of Georgia shall not be an out-of-state practitioner and remains a Georgia-licensed medical professional. The telemedicine license granted to an out-of-state provider is revocable by the Board after due notice and hearing and does not give the licensee authority to practice in-person within the State.
If, after the issuance of the telemedicine license, a restriction is placed on the provider’s foreign license by another state, the professional must notify the Board immediately.
The following are not considered falling within the definition of the practice of medicine in the State and, therefore, does not require the procurement of a license to engage in such:
- Out-of-state doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathic medicine who is requested by a Georgia-licensed physician to render consultation services provided further that the former provides this type of service on an occasional basis only;
- Consultation services provided by an out-of-state licensed physician or an osteopathic physician under the following circumstances:
- During an emergency;
- With no expectation of compensation or remuneration;
- To a board-approved medical school within the State of Georgia;
- Out-of-state licensed physicians engaging as a guest speaker before any board-approved medical school or osteopathic medical school for clinics, demonstrations, and lectures solely for professional education purposes;
Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
The State of Georgia is a member of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) but is not registered as a State of Principal License. This means that it does not serve as a home state or primary State of licensure for purposes of participation and registration in the Compact.
The membership was finalized through Senate Bill 16 or the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Act, which became effective on July 1, 2019.
The expedited license issued to physicians in another member state does not allow them to practice freely in Georgia as they please. They are still subject to the local and State rules and regulations regarding the practice of medicine in this State.
Nurse Licensure Compact
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing – Nurse Licensure Compact, of which Georgia is a member, does not require nurses in other members of the NLC to obtain additional licenses at the state level. However, all nurses are still subject to Georgia’s state laws.
Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact
Through House Bill 26, Georgia became a member of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact or PSYPACT. Under this Compact, psychologists from member states can engage in telepsychology and the temporary in-person delivery of psychology services.
The PSYPACT Commission grants the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) to psychologists licensed in member states and not the individual states. But before the PSYPACT grants you an ATIP, you first have to apply for an E. Passport before The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB).
Physical Therapy Compact
The Physical Therapy Compact provides a collaborative structure that would increase citizens’ access to physical therapy services. Physical therapists are given the privilege to practice across multiple states. Georgia is a member state that has been actively issuing and accepting compact privileges to out-of-state physical therapists who would like to extend their practice in this State.
It was made possible through the passing of House Bill 39 entitled Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Act. The State of Georgia has been an active participant in the Compact since July 1, 2019.
Standard of Care
The same standard of care in in-person medical care is expected to be observed by telemedicine providers. The State Medical Board is the same Board that sanctions unprofessional conduct exhibited by healthcare professionals during telehealth or telemedicine services delivery.
To ensure the quality and accuracy of remote healthcare services delivered, patients must make their medical history readily available for the perusal of the telehealth or telemedicine provider. At the onset, the provider must order the necessary laboratory and diagnostic tests as he or she would in in-office consultations for an accurate diagnosis. The provider should refer the patient to an in-person facility when his or her medical case requires such attention and not proceed with the virtual visit.
Before proceeding with the delivery, the latter must first comply with at least one of the following requirements:
- An examination is possible and conducted by the provider remotely through the help of telecommunication technology that is capable of providing a platform that would equal to or be superior to in-person consultations;
- The subject service is requested by a community mental health center, an established child advocacy center, law enforcement agencies, the Department of Family and Children’s Services, Public Health Nurse, or Public School Nurse;
- There has been an in-person examination and interaction with the patient, and the telemedicine service is for follow-up or ongoing treatment only;
- The remote delivery of the healthcare service is by request of a Georgia-licensed medical professional who conducted an in-person examination;
If the delivery of the remote healthcare service is delegated to a physician assistant or nurse practitioner, the physician has to inform the Board that the service is within the scope of their practice and that the delegate is competent to perform it.
The patient’s medical record shall be kept updated by documenting each diagnosis, treatment, and other healthcare services delivered to the patient and who delivered them. The same shall be made available to the referring healthcare professional.
For initial virtual visits, the online doctor must provide the patient with his or her name and that of the physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse, emergency contact information, and instructions for follow-up care to all patients except when the same is an inmate. All information on persons incarcerated who are receiving telemedicine services must be provided to the referring provider or prison staff.
Informed Consent
The patient’s written consent must be obtained first by the provider before rendering any telehealth or telemedicine service. The consent may be manifested through a signed form. The provider is also obligated to inform the patient about security and confidentiality risks like this type of service.
Confidentiality
All patient health information, documentation, and transmission shall be protected according to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
E-prescription
The state board allows the online prescription of over-the-counter drugs and non-controlled substances even without an in-person examination.
On the other hand, the prescription of controlled substances or dangerous drugs via telehealth and telemedicine is strictly prohibited if the only consultation that transpired is via electronic means. This is especially true in medication-assisted treatment of chronic pain and all other types of pain treatment.
This is not a hard-and-fast rule, and there are exceptions. Physicians can electronically prescribe controlled substances under the following circumstances:
- The prescribing physician is on-call or substituting for another provider and the supply to be prescribed to the latter’s patient is good for 72 hours only.
- In the case of Schedule II sympathomimetic amine, the conditions below would permit physicians to prescribe them via telemedicine:
- A licensed nurse must be physically present with the patient;
- There has been an initial diagnosis;
- An initial prescription has already been issued under the law;
- The prescribing physician of the patient has conducted at least one in-person evaluation;
- The medical facility and the physician prescribing the medication shall be registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA);
- The prescribing physician was granted a special registration for telemedicine by the US Attorney General.
Telemental Health
Healthcare professionals who can render telemental health services include the following:
- Licensed Social Workers
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Professional Counselors
They can also provide telephonic intervention within the guidelines set forth by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). Telemental health services may be made available to patients whose primary language is not English, including the American Sign Language. There must be an available practitioner or interpreter who speaks and understands the preferred language of the patient.
Interactive Physical Therapy Services
Under this field of telehealth, you get the following physical therapy-related information and services:
- Advice
- Education
- Evaluation
- Interventions
- Monitoring of Interventions
- Prevention
- Reminders
- Therapeutic Services
All of these services may be rendered by a licensed occupational therapy practitioner in the State of Georgia through e-health, telemedicine, telecare, telepractice, and telerehabilitation.
Physical therapists licensed in other states but not by the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy may render telehealth services only to a physical therapist licensed in this State.
Teledentistry
When it comes to teledental services, there are only a limited number of recognized sites. These are:
- Department of Public Health District and Board of Health Facilities
- Duly-approved Facilities by the Board of Dentistry
- School-based Prevention Programs
State Reimbursement Policy
A face-to-face or in-person consultation shall not be required under any health benefits policy before payment or reimbursement is made to the insured member for telemedicine services. In the same light, plan providers cannot direct insured individuals to utilize telemedicine services instead of in-person consultations. The rate and extent to which telehealth and telemedicine services are reimbursed shall be equivalent to those rendered in-person.
No annual or lifetime cap can be imposed on telehealth and telemedicine services. The services will be considered in the aggregate limit for all services under the policy, and the plan provider will reimburse the services within the set limit. No copayment, coinsurance, or other deductibles shall be imposed for getting telehealth or telemedicine services if the same is not asked for in-person services.
What services are reimbursed in the State of Georgia?
By GA Medicaid:
- Live Video
- Store-and-Forward
X Remote Patient Monitoring
X Stand-alone or combination e-consults through telephone, e-mail, text message, or facsimile
The following locations are considered as eligible sites under the Georgia Medicaid Program:
- CAH-Based Renal Dialysis Centers
- County Boards of Health
- Doctor’s Office or Clinic
- Emergency Medical Services Ambulances
- Hospitals
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC)
- Pharmacies
- Rural Health Clinics (RHC)
- School-Based Clinics
- Skilled Nursing Facilities
As for originating sites, GA Medicaid does not recognize a patient’s home as eligible for some services. Therefore, the services obtained from a patient’s home are not reimbursable under the program.
Live Video
Some of the services rendered through live video modality that Georgia Medicaid reimburses are as follows:
- Consultations
- Pharmacological Management
- Psychiatric Services
- Radiological Services
- Other scheduled services
Mental health services rendered to nursing home residents through telehealth means are reimbursable if the patient is eligible for or is a beneficiary for both Medicaid and Medicare.
Not all communication tools utilized for live video conferencing are recognized under Medicaid. The use of Skype or Tango does not entitle one to reimbursement since these are not HIPAA compliant applications.
Store-and-Forward
The act of transmitting photos, audio, video, X-rays, and other radiology imaging results from the originating or patient site to the provider and vice versa is reimbursable in Georgia. Other examples of services falling under this category are ultrasound services and teleradiology, wherein the results are sent to a third-party provider who will analyze and interpret them. Their findings are then sent back to the facility where they originally came from or to the patient directly.
Store-and-forward services provided in teledentistry are also covered and reimbursable. The State of Georgia was among the first states to consider this arrangement! This modality can be utilized between patient and provider (or among providers) for delivering health care services to the patient. The patient does not need to be physically present to enjoy the health coverage and get reimbursement for their expenses.
Despite it being generally reimbursable, the store-and-forward modality is not categorized as interactive telecommunication.
By Private Payer or other service providers:
The state payment parity law states, among other things, that insurance companies are mandated to cover and reimburse telehealth services if the same is likewise reimbursable when rendered in-person. Insurance plan providers cannot require their members to opt for in-person interactions and be reimbursed for telehealth services.
The payment parity law applies to and must be observed by the following healthcare service plan providers:
- Accident Insurers
- Fraternal Benefit Societies
- Healthcare Corporations
- Health Maintenance Organizations
- Hospital Service Corporations
- Managed Care Entities
- Medical Service Corporations
- Provider-Sponsored Healthcare Corporations
- Sickness Insurers
As to originating sites, alternative sitting arrangements can be made between the plan provider and members, such as the patient’s home or other medical facilities, as long as it is within the State. There are no distance or location restrictions on the delivery of remote healthcare services.
Who can enjoy these reimbursements?
Any physician or any other health care practitioner who delivers telehealth and telemedicine services within the scope of their practice can be reimbursed for the same. Some of these medical professionals are:
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)
- Audiologists
- Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Clinical Psychologists
- Clinical Social Workers
- Dentists
- Dietitians
- Nurse Anesthetists
- Nurse-Midwives
- Nurse Practitioners
- Nutrition Professionals
- Licensed Physicians
- Physician Assistants
- Speech-Language Pathologists
Public Health Emergency (PHE)
The State of Georgia has deemed it necessary to implement temporary rules and regulations to be effective and enforceable during the entire period of the existence of the public health emergency brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. Many different sectors are greatly affected by this PHE, especially the community’s medical field, and sick sector. The following rules and guidelines have made access to remote healthcare services more inclusive and convenient:
- Practitioners registered before the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) can electronically prescribe controlled substances despite not having conducted a medical evaluation of the patient in person.
- Telephonic interactions are permitted in the meantime, and for the duration, the State is still under a declared Public Health Emergency.
- Non-physician providers such as certified nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants may render telehealth services, and that the same is reimbursable.
- Written consent as a requirement is temporarily suspended. A documented verbal consent of the patient would suffice for the consent requirement.
- Out-of-state health care providers may apply for Emergency Practice Permits or Temporary Licenses to provide medical services in Georgia. This permit has a validity of 90 days, or until the public health emergency declaration in the state is lifted, whichever is earlier.
10 Best Online Doctors and Telemedicine Providers in Georgia
Considering the expansion of remote healthcare services under state-enacted legislation in Georgia, it is no wonder that a lot of providers have extended their practice into telehealth and telemedicine. May they be providers located within or outside Georgia, the following list is comprised of the best online doctors and providers that render telemedicine services to Georgians:
Guardian Physicians
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board Certified Family Physician
- Insurance
You can connect with Dr. Adebola Oyekoya, their licensed family physician, located in Sandy Spring, Atlanta, Georgia, through video chat for virtual visits and text or e-mail for minor follow-up inquiries. Minor illnesses and injuries can be accommodated as long as video assessment is possible and sufficient for an accurate diagnosis.
They specialize and offer telemedicine services in the following medical concerns:
- Chronic Disease: The most common chronic diseases they manage are asthma, cancer, COPD, dementia, diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, renal disease, and many others.
- Geriatrics: The elderly are provided with extraordinary physical and emotional care when dealing with their illnesses by helping them manage existing health conditions, increase their independence, and enhance their quality of life.
- Sick Visits: Under this, acute illness that may require urgent medical attention can be diagnosed and treated for as long as it does not need actual emergency assistance.
- Weight Management: They provide healthy and sustainable ways of losing weight and maintaining a fit state for the long term. The program they implement is tailored to every patient’s existing health conditions like hormonal and thyroid conditions, body type, and lifestyle.
- Women’s Health: They conduct what they call well-woman visits annually to check for female health problems that are not noticeable because of the lack or delay of symptoms. PMS, PCOS, breast and ovarian cancer, UTI, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis are some of the conditions they check.
Virtual visits may have any of the following outcomes: home health care suggestions, prescription of medications, prescription management, referral to a specialist, or a personalized wellness plan.
They utilize doxy.me as their communication tool. All prescriptions are electronically sent to the patient’s preferred pharmacy.
Location/City Served: Atlanta
Gwinnett Urgent Care
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board Certified Physicians
- Insurance
At Gwinnett Urgent Care, they accommodate individuals and families for diagnosis and treatment. One family member, a parent, for example, can organize the telemedicine visit and have all information stored in one place. Some of the common medical conditions they treat are:
- Allergies
- Cold
- Pink Eye
- Poison Ivy
- Sinus Infections
- Sunburn
If you are experiencing symptoms or was previously diagnosed with any of the following serious conditions, you are not eligible for a telemedicine visit:
- Abdominal Pain
- Allergic Reactions with difficulty in breathing
- Cardiac Symptoms
- Changes in Vision
- Chest Pain
- Chronic Pain Management
- Fainting Episodes
- Headaches
- Head Trauma or Concussion
They can also provide you with prescriptions and refill requests for non-controlled substances if medically necessary and appropriate. They have pharmacy services where they can complete these requests for you or electronically send them to your chosen pharmacy.
They have an urgent care clinic to accommodate you if they assess that your medical condition requires an in-person visit during the virtual visit. Your payment for the telemedicine visit will then be used to cover the cost of the face-to-face interaction.
You can schedule your virtual visit or enter the online waiting room through the FollowMyHealth portal. But before booking an online appointment, physicians at Gwinnett strongly suggest that you have helpful medical tools on hand like a blood pressure cuff, flashlight, pulse oximeter, ruler, scale, and thermometer for a more accurate diagnosis and assessment of your condition.
Location/City Served: Suwanee
Emory Connected Care
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board Certified Urologists, Internists, Endocrinologists, Radiologists, and other specialists
- Insurance
Various factors are considered before scheduling your telehealth appointment – your status as a patient, whether new or current, the nature and urgency of your request, type of medical condition subject of the consultation, and the availability of both parties concerned.
If you are a new patient, you will only be scheduled if your medical concern is urgent. Before booking an appointment, check with your provider first if you or your medical conditions are eligible for consultation via telemedicine. They also have hospitals and clinics all over Georgia where they can refer you just if your medical condition would require an in-person intervention.
Emory Healthcare is a recognized and distinguished institution holding a top spot among other states for its Emory Heart and Vascular Center, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, and Emory Eye Center.
The Image Share and Exchange feature allows the patient, the provider, family members, and medical institutions to share medical images like CT Scans, MRIs, Ultrasound, and X-rays. The communication tool they utilize for their virtual visits is the Zoom application designed specifically for health care. The application itself is HIPAA compliant making it a secure platform for you telemedicine visits.
They provide language interpretation services such as document translation, telephonic interpretation, and Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) through Cyracom Language Services. They also have on-site interpreters who speak Spanish.
Locations/Cities Served:
- Johns Creek
- Atlanta
- Tucker
- Decatur
- Lithonia
Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Inc.
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board-Certified Physicians, Urologists, Allergists, Gynecologic Oncologist
- Insurance
Despite having specialists in more than twenty-five medical fields, the NGP Group accommodates only a limited number of medical conditions under their e-visit program. These conditions involve sinus, respiratory, and women’s health concern:
- Flu
- Sinus Problems: Nasal conditions that may be connected with allergies or asthma.
- Urinary Problems: They only treat this problem in females.
- Vaginal Discharge: May be treated as a symptom of another condition
They cater to individuals ages 18 and above regardless of whether you already have prior consultations with the NGPG system or a new patient. Start your visit by downloading the MyChart app on Google Play and the App Store. You can also use the app to communicate with your medical team, review health information, access test results, manage your medications, and provide your medical history.
To proceed, you have to answer questions about your symptoms through their E-Visit questionnaire. After review and evaluation by a certified provider of your completed questionnaire, he or she will communicate to you his or her recommended treatment plan and prescriptions, if any.
If your condition is something they cannot accurately diagnose or treat through their E-Visit platform, they can refer you to one of their clinics in different areas in North Georgia. You can be sure that your medical condition can be given appropriate care by an expert, no matter how complex or rare.
Location/City Served: Gainesville
Piedmont Internal Medicine
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board Certified Primary Care Physicians, Internists, Advanced Practitioners,
- Insurance
Piedmont Internal Medicine has physical offices located in Atlanta, Georgia. They focus on adult medicine, and their practice is mostly concentrated in the metro-Atlanta. The telemedicine services offered by Piedmont Internal Medicine include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Medication Refills
- Problem-Focused Visits
- Sick Visits
- Test Results Follow-up
Adults can book a face-to-face appointment with one of their providers through ExamMed and manage their records through their MyChart patient portal. Both these systems can be downloaded at the App Store and Google Play for free.
Initial telemedicine assessments are made by their advanced practitioners, who will then refer your case to your provider, if necessary. They also issue orders for laboratory tests and other necessary tests that may be needed to determine with accuracy your medical condition. All treatment plans are personalized and tailored to each patient’s unique needs. They don’t just diagnose and give a formatted treatment plan for that condition. They study the patient’s habits, lifestyle, and circumstances before formulating a course of treatment to be followed.
Another telehealth service they offer is remote care monitoring, wherein they will track your vitals such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, blood pressure, blood sugar, temperature, and weight. They do this through digital technology, which will collect the needed data and transmit the same to the provider. They will be providing a smart hub and other healthcare devices the patient will need, such as a digital thermometer, blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, and scale.
Location/City Served: Atlanta
Veranda Medical Group
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board Certified Gynecologists, Family Medicine Doctors, Endocrinologists, Pediatricians
- Insurance
The Veranda Medical Group is also a member of the Privia Medical Group. Their telemedicine service is best for minor urgent care and follow-up consultations. Their team is comprised of specialists from different fields like behavioral health, endocrinology, family medicine, pediatrics, and women’s health.
Some of the common medical conditions they treat are:
They also provide self-assessment tools you can take for a mental health screening. It is available to both children and adults. Other resources are also available on their website. Articles about family medicine, pediatric patient education, and specialty practices tackling antibiotics, vaccines, childhood obesity, newborn care, safety, and many others can be read about on the site.
They utilized the Doximity software in communicating with their patients and have a posting for getting help for language interpretations translated in several languages with contact information for patients who don’t fully understand and fluently speak the English language.
They are recognized as a patient-centered specialty practice by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). All their treatments are personalized and tailored to the individual needs of every patient.
Location/City Served: Albany
Wellstar
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board Certified Primary Care Physicians and Specialists
- Insurance
They accommodate new patients under their virtual care program. Whether you need to see a primary care physician or a specialty medicine expert, Wellstar can provide you with one. You have two options on how to go about your virtual visit, either by phone or via video conferencing.
They accept patients who are two years old and above in their telemedicine platform under these specialties:
- Allergy
- Bariatrics
- Behavioral Health
- Burn and Wound Care
- Cancer Care
- Cardiology
- Dentistry
- Dermatology
- Diagnostic Care
- Ear, Nose, and Throat
- Eye Care
- Hospice
- Immunology
- Infectious Disease
- Kidney Care
- Neurology
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Occupational Medicine
- Orthopedics
- Pain Management
- Pediatrics
- Podiatry
- Primary Care
- Psychiatry
- Radiology
- Sleep Medicine
- Urology
Although they have a wide array of specialties, some services that fall under any of them may not be available or are not plausible to be rendered remotely. The best thing to do is call and inquire first about your medical concern and the service if you seek telemedicine consultation to see if it can qualify.
They boast of world-class quality and person-centered health care that does not discriminate against patients based on their age, color, disability, origin, race, or sexual orientation. Patients are all treated equally while upholding the standard of care expected of the Wellstar medical professionals and staff.
They also provide financial assistance to patients with limited to zero means of paying up their medical bills through their Financial Assistance Program (FAP).
Locations/Cities Served: Atlanta (Alpharetta, Milton)
First Georgia Physician Group
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board Certified Internists, Family Medicine Doctor, Nurse Practitioner
- Insurance
Regardless of your age, First Georgia will accommodate your medical needs, whether for initial diagnosis, medication management, chronic disease management, routine follow-up, reviewing test results, lifestyle coaching, minor injury and illness, and urgent care conditions. Their doctors treat Non-emergency and common illnesses like those listed below:
- Allergies
- Cold
- Flu
- Respiratory Infections
- Sinus Problem
They specialize in primary care and dermatology. In the former, they deal with adolescent medicine, custom wellness plans, general health, hypertension management, management of chronic conditions, men’s and women’s health, nutrition, and patient education. In dermatology, they can help you with acne, cellulitis, cold sores, dermatitis, dry skin, hair loss, hives, moles, psoriasis, ringworm, rosacea, warts, and many others.
To book a virtual visit, call their office and have their medical staff determine the appropriateness of such a visit. They recommend downloading the myPrivia app from Google Play and App Store if you will be taking the visit through your mobile phone or tablet.
Not an English speaker? A non-discrimination section lists different languages and the corresponding contact information. You can ask for sign language interpreters free of charge.
Location/City Served: Fayetteville
Reddy Medical Group
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board Certified Physicians
- Insurance
Their services at Reddy Medical Group encompass the field of geriatrics, cardiology, women’s health, and many others. Depending on the medical attention you need, you can book an on-demand visit or set an appointment for a visit with your primary doctor to consult and discuss the symptoms you are experiencing. They use the special Zoom Healthcare app, which can be easily downloaded on the web or app store.
The following conditions can be treated through eReddy care:
- Allergic Reactions
- Acne
- Athlete’s Foot
- Cold
- Flu
- Gout
- Insect Bites
- Tonsilitis
- Pink Eye
- Psoriasis
- Ringworm
- Urinary Tract Infections
Emergency conditions like broken bones, heart attacks, lacerations, and strokes cannot be treated through telemedicine services and should be brought directly to an emergency room urgent care clinic.
Whether or not you can be examined or assessed for a diagnosis virtually is up to the provider’s sole discretion. An in-person consultation will be recommended if appropriate for your case or condition.
After the visit, you will be given a diagnosis, treatment options, and a prescription is determined to be medically necessary by your provider. They have their pharmacy, so if you live near one of their clinics, you can have them complete your medications for pick up.
If you want to be educated and understand your loved one’s medical condition much better, Reddy has maintained an alphabetical list of medical topics and articles you can choose from.
Locations/Cities Served:
- Hartwell
- Athens
- Royston
- Danielsville
- Cornelia
The VIP-NP
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board Certified Physicians and Specialists
- Insurance
At the VIP-NP, consultations initially begin with filling up their online consultation forms after selecting among the choices for your illness. A licensed medical provider then reviews the form. They treat a lot of medical conditions virtually. Some of these conditions are:
- Chronic Health: asthma, cholesterol, chronic constipation, diabetes, GERD, hypertension, migraine, thyroid disorders
- Dermatology: acne, allergic skin reactions, bacterial skin infections, dandruff, eczema, fungal skin infections, hair loss, hives, nail infection, poison ivy, psoriasis, rash, rosacea, skin discoloration, warts
- General Conditions: acute bronchitis, acne, allergies, cold sores, dental infections, ear infections, eczema, flu, pink eye, sinus infections, staph skin infections, strep throat, UTI
- Men’s Health: alopecia, enlarged prostate, erectile dysfunction, jock itch, premature ejaculation
- Mental Health Disorders: depression, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- STD Testing and Treatment: chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis
- Women’s Health: adult acne, bacterial vaginosis, birth control, female sexual dysfunction, and vaginal yeast infections
With all these conditions they treat online via telemedicine, you will no longer have to keep changing providers as you can get services for different specialties with the VIP-NP.
Your prescribed medications are ready to be picked up at your preferred pharmacy after the visit. It must be taken note that they don’t prescribe controlled and dangerous drugs such as ambien, clonidine, gabapentin, muscle relaxant, and narcotics.
Location/City Served: Stone Mountain
Telemedicine Resources in Georgia
Every state has implemented its laws, rules, and regulations about the practice of telemedicine. Although there may be some similarities due to mandates provided by federal law, there is always something unique and exclusive to a single state. Telemedicine laws in Georgia are not entirely the same as those in other US states and territories. If you are new to telemedicine or you simply want to explore it, check out the following credible telehealth resources:
- Georgia Department of Community Health: Check reports, facts, and data on the current status of telemedicine in the State on this government-ran website. Everything from law amendments, budget allocation, advisories, news, grants, feedbacks, and much other information about telehealth in the State can be easily accessed here.
- Southeast Telehealth Resource Center: This is the telehealth resource for four states in the southeast, Georgia. They have telehealth experts who can provide free tools, resources, and programs in terms of clinical support and the technical aspect of telehealth. These are mostly educational. You can invite these experts to speak at your event. The main target of their sustainable telehealth programs is the rural and underserved areas in the State.
- Center for Connected Health Policy GA: If you want to know more about the Medicaid Program, Medicaid Reimbursement, Private Payer Law, and professional requirements for one to practice telemedicine in the State of Georgia, the CCHP is the right resource to visit. Here, everything is categorized so you can easily find what you are looking for by topic. Compare the policies by State to see the bigger picture as to where Georgia stands in contrast with other states.
