The 10 Top-Rated Online Doctors in New Jersey in 2023

Telemedicine is defined in New Jersey as “the use of electronic communications and information technology between a patient at the originating site and a provider at the distant site.” This interaction can either be with or without the intervention of another healthcare provider. The primary and main modality recognized in telemedicine is interactive, real-time, and two-way telecommunication technology. It is limited to the clinical application of telecommunication technology for the provider and the patient located at different and distant locations to engage in clinical health services.

For transmitting medical information in images, diagnostics, and other health-related data, asynchronous store and forward technology can be utilized alone or together with a two-way audio communication tool subject to certain conditions. Providers and patients can only do away with the video requirement if and only if, based on the patient’s medical records, the SAF and audio-only modalities would be sufficient to meet the same standard of care as in-person consultation without compromising the quality of the healthcare service provided. 

Using remote patient monitoring devices and other types of information and communication technologies for consulting with another provider, health administration, public health, supporting clinical healthcare, patient and professional health-related education, and other similar services fall under the broader category of telehealth. 

Although other modalities for delivering telemedicine services such as audio-only telephone conversation, electronic mail, facsimile transmission, instant messaging, and phone text are electronic forms of communication, they cannot be used in isolation. Still, they must be utilized only in conjunction with video conferencing. Considering the status of other telemedicine modalities in the state, it is no wonder that its reimbursement policies only explicitly cover live interactive video communication. 

When it comes to licensing, most states observe the general rule that a healthcare provider should be licensed in the US state where the patient is. In addition to this requirement, the state of New Jersey also requires a healthcare provider who is located within the state to be a holder of an NJ license even though said provider only caters to patients in other states. Acupuncturists, audiologists, genetic counselors, nurses, physical therapists, psychologists, and social workers within the state are all subject to this condition. 

As for disciplinary or other cases that may arise out of any telemedicine interaction, the jurisdiction lies with the state of New Jersey if, at the time the telemedicine service is rendered or received, the provider or the patient is found within the state boundaries. 

Unmatched Feature of Telemedicine in New Jersey

All New Jersey organizations, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, or limited liability companies, providing telehealth and telemedicine services should be registered with the NJ Department of Health and are mandated to submit an annual report. Consumers can be confident that these providers practice compliance with state laws and that the appropriate government agency closely monitors them. 

One of New Jersey’s steps to improve telemedicine in the state is the establishment of the Telemedicine and Telehealth Review Commission. They are the primary agency responsible for reviewing and analyzing the annual reports submitted by registered organizations. 

The findings on these reviews serve as the basis for their recommendation in telemedicine state laws and regulations. This strategy will help lawmakers update and improve existing laws or propose a new law altogether to improve telemedicine practice and make sure the quality delivery of this type of healthcare service to consumers. 

Existing state law prohibits state medical boards from requiring an in-person evaluation or examination for a provider to render or for a patient to receive healthcare services via telemedicine. 

All these features of laws point to New Jersey being a pro-telemedicine state. 

New Jersey State Telemedicine Laws and Policies

Who can practice telemedicine in New Jersey?

Any medical professional licensed in the state of New Jersey can likewise provide telehealth and telemedicine services to patients located within the state. It doesn’t matter which field of specialization the provider belongs to. As long as the professional can appropriately and medically accommodate the patient through this modality, they can engage in telemedicine or telehealth practice. 

Interstate Medical Licensure Compact

The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact or IMLC streamlines the process for physicians to acquire licenses in multiple member states. This expands other state’s access to specialists and other healthcare professionals that may be limited in number in their state. 

Physicians from member states only need to submit one application to the Compact, which other members will use to screen if they are eligible to practice in the states they intend to render services, whether in-person or via telemedicine. Individual states must still issue licenses for the physician to legally and validly practice in their jurisdiction. 

The status of the Compact in the state of New Jersey is still at the introduction level of the legislation. Physicians from all over the country still cannot enjoy the privilege of practicing in New Jersey through the Compact’s expedited licensure process and would still have to undergo the regular procedure for acquiring an NJ license if they intend to practice here. 

Nurse Licensure Compact

New Jersey has already enacted the Nurse Licensure Compact in the state and is currently partially implementing the same. Resident nurses in the state can only start applying for a multistate license under the compact in the latter half of 2021. On the other hand, multistate licensees from other states can already start practicing in the state of New Jersey. 

If fully affected, nurses from member states can practice within NJ and vice versa without obtaining an additional license to engage in the same. However, all nurses are still subject to individual state regulations where they intend to practice. The purpose is to maintain the protection of the public and avoid the risks tied to this increase in access to healthcare services. 

Physical Therapy Compact

The PT Compact is applicable to both licensed physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. The Compact aims to expedite the process for these professionals to practice in other member states. 

How it works is that they can purchase Compact Privilege from other member states through an online system to practice in that state. All PT and PTA eligibilities and status verification can be accessed through the system. 

New Jersey has already enacted legislation to give effect and validity to the Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges or accepting the same as of this date. 

Standard of Care

The healthcare provider’s responsibility is to render telemedicine services to determine that the modality to be utilized is medically appropriate and will meet the board-required standard of care. If it cannot pass the standard, the patient shall be notified and recommended for an in-person consultation. 

From evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, laying down of options, risks, and benefits to medication prescriptions, the same standard of care is expected from telemedicine practitioners. 

If a physical evaluation is necessary and a licensed and qualified healthcare practitioner such as a registered nurse is present at the originating or patient site, he or she may perform the physical examination required by the telemedicine provider. 

If the patient has no existing primary care provider, the telemedicine or telehealth provider has the responsibility to assist the patient in looking for a provider within the area of the patient and who can render in-person medical care. 

Different professional boards have set their standards for healthcare professionals whose practice is under their supervision and regulation.  

Informed Consent

The patient’s informed consent is a mandatory requirement before any telemedicine or telehealth service can be rendered by the provider. If the patient or client refuses to receive services via telemedicine, he or she must be informed by the provider of other options such as face-to-face interaction. 

The provider must first establish and inform the patient of the confidentiality agreement, technology requirements, needed consent, policies, and other procedures associated with availing of telemedicine services.  

A patient’s medical information can only be forwarded to another healthcare provider with the patient’s consent or upon request, which can either be oral, written, or digital in form. 

A provider-patient relationship can be established via telemedicine and without an initial in-person interaction if the following conditions are met:

• Identification of the patient, including his or her name, address, date of birth, and contact number;
• Disclosure of the provider of his or her identity, location, title, specialty, credentials, and board certifications;
• Review of the patient’s medical records, history, and other health information before the rendering of telemedicine services;
• Proper determination of the appropriateness of a telemedicine encounter without compromising the standard of care for the patient’s medical case and circumstances; 

There are also circumstances where a provider-patient relationship need not exist before a provider can render telemedicine or telehealth services. These exceptions are:

• Periodic consultations between an out-of-state and New Jersey-located medical professional; 
• When the one rendering the telemedicine or telehealth service is not the provider with whom the patient has an established physician-patient relationship but an on-call or cross-coverage provider designated by the former; 
• Rendering informal consultations irregularly and without being compensated for such services; 
• When the remote medical service is rendered during an emergency or natural disaster and that the same is free of charge; 

Confidentiality

A detailed medical record of the patient’s history and telemedicine encounters must be properly and accurately documented. This must be kept similarly confidential as with information obtained from in-person consultation or interaction. 

The confidentiality standards outlined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) must be strictly observed in all communications and exchanges occurring via telemedicine, including the storage of all information obtained. 

All telemedicine or telehealth sessions cannot be recorded by either the provider or the patient. 

E-prescription

Before an online provider can issue prescriptions electronically, he or she must have an established relationship with the patient. Given that physician-patient relationships can be established via telemedicine, an in-person evaluation is not required to prescribe medications online. 

However, an initial in-person examination is still required before a telehealth or telemedicine provider can prescribe controlled substances falling under Schedule II, such as fentanyl, methadone, opiates, and oxycodone. In addition to this, an in-person visit is likewise required every three months for the entire period that the medication is prescribed for follow-up and monitoring purposes. 

In prescribing a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance such as a stimulant to a minor, children aged 17 years old and below, an in-person consultation may be waived through a written consent provided by the parent or guardian of the minor patient. An interactive, real-time, two-way audio and video communication between the healthcare provider and the patient with the parent or guardian’s presence will suffice to meet state requirements. 

Telemental Health Services

Outpatient mental health services such as intake evaluations, medication management, periodic psychiatric evaluations, psychotherapy sessions, and other psychiatric services determined by the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services can be delivered via telemedicine. 

All screening psychiatrist and mental health screeners who offers screening services do not need to procure a separate authorization to offer their services via telemedicine or telehealth. If there are existing regulations, these practitioners are also not required to request any waiver form before rendering telemedicine or telehealth services as long as they have a Division-approved plan containing all required information. 

Video conferencing for telepsychiatry services may be waived if a two-way interactive audio-only communication paired with asynchronous store-and-forward modality would be sufficient to meet the required standard of care as an in-person consultation. 

State Reimbursement Policy

All health insurance providers, whether government-funded or private-owned, cannot compel an individual to get telemedicine or telehealth services instead of in-person services when he or she prefers the latter. 

Reimbursement rates for healthcare services delivered via telemedicine shall not exceed what applies to in-person services. 

As for eligible distant sites, reimbursement depends on the license holder. An individual or independent practitioner does not have location restrictions tied to his or her license and hence, can render services from anywhere as long as the patient is located within state boundaries. 

On the other hand, if the practitioner is associated with or employed by a licensed healthcare facility such as an independent clinic, any services rendered under their name will only be eligible for reimbursement if such service is provided at the registered address. The patient must be physically present at the registered address when delivering telemedicine service, while the provider can be at a distant site. 

It must be noted that under New Jersey law, a patient’s home is an eligible originating site from which he or she may receive telemedicine services and be reimbursed for the same. 

Facility or transmission fees are not reimbursable by the State Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare programs. The cost for all telehealth or telemedicine services such as telecommunication tools and equipment is the healthcare provider’s responsibility. 

What Services are Reimbursed in the State of New Jersey?

By NJ Medicaid:

•   Live Video

X   Store-and-Forward

X   Remote Patient Monitoring

X   Stand-alone or combination of Audio-Only, Email, Text Message, or Facsimile

The New Jersey State Medicaid and the NJ FamilyCare programs are the government health insurance providers that reimburse for telemedicine services availed of by their insured members. Their guidelines mostly focus on telepsychiatry services, but there are also other covered telemedicine services under the program. You can inquire about them before proceeding with availing of these services so you can be sure that they are covered. 

The basis for reimbursement of telemedicine services observed by these providers is the same as that for healthcare services rendered in person. As for the reimbursement rate, state Medicaid laws provide that it shall not exceed what is applied to an in-person consultation. This means that reimbursement rates for telemedicine services may be lower or equal to their counterpart in in-person services. 

Although other modalities for the delivery of telemedicine or telehealth services are recognized in New Jersey and are utilized by providers and patients in combination with each other, coverage for these modalities is not explicitly provided by reimbursement laws and policies. 

By Private Payer or Other Healthcare Service Plan Providers:

•   Live Video

X   Store-and-Forward

X   Remote Patient Monitoring

X   Stand-alone or combination of Audio-Only, Email, Text Message, or Facsimile

The general guidelines to be followed by private healthcare service plan providers when it comes to coverage and reimbursements for telehealth or telemedicine services are as follows:

• Private plan providers may put a limit on the type and coverage of telemedicine or telehealth services. 
• The basis and reimbursement rate applicable to telemedicine or telehealth services shall not exceed what is applied to an in-person consultation.  
• Copayment, coinsurance, and deductibles may be applied to telemedicine or telehealth services but shall not exceed the rates required or deducted in an in-person interaction between provider and patient.
• The reimbursements can either be made to the practitioner as an individual or to the healthcare facility, organization, or agency under which the practitioner is an employee or member. 

State laws do not prohibit private plan providers from limiting their coverage for telemedicine or telehealth services. The law requires that medically necessary services be covered and stated in the member’s insurance plan or policy.  

Although there are private payer laws, there is still no telemedicine parity law in New Jersey. This is why private insurance providers can still set limitations on the types of telemedicine or telehealth services they will cover. 

Who can avail of these reimbursements?

Telemedicine services rendered by a practitioner or received by a patient, even though expressly covered by the state’s reimbursement policies, do not guarantee the individual concerned the absolute right to be reimbursed. The following healthcare professionals can avail of the reimbursements the state government and private insurance companies provide: 

• Acupuncturists 
• Athletic Trainers
• Genetic Counselors
• Hearing Aid Dispensers
• Midwives
• Nurses
• Orthotist Assistants
• Orthotists
• Pedorthist Assistants
• Pedorthists
• Physical Therapist Assistants
• Physical Therapists
• Physicians
• Podiatrists
• Prosthetist Assistant
• Prosthetists
• Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurse 
• Psychiatrist
• Psychologists
• Social Workers
• Veterinarians

Public Health Emergency (PHE)

The NJ State Board of Medical Examiners has enforced temporary rules, guidelines, and waivers in the practice of medicine, including telemedicine, due to the public health emergency brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. Most of the changes are brought about by strict social distancing protocols, increase demand for healthcare services, and insufficiency of the number of healthcare professionals within the state to cater to this demand. The needs of college students studying in other states and seeing medical providers from their university state were also considered in arriving at these temporary guidelines. 

During the existence of the PHE, healthcare professionals, insurance providers, and patients are to observe the following: 

• The state of New Jersey temporarily issues licenses allowing healthcare providers from other states who have been actively practicing medicine for the past five years in good standing to render medical services to patients in New Jersey, whether in-person or via telemedicine. The accelerated temporary licensure by reciprocity is allowed under the following fields and by their respective boards:
  • Acupuncture
  • Alcohol and Drug Counseling
  • Athletic Training
  • Audiology
  • Counseling
  • Dentistry
  • Genetic Counseling
  • Hearing Aid Dispensers
  • Marriage and Family Therapy
  • Nursing
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Ophthalmology
  • Optometry
  • Perfusionists
  • Pharmacy
  • Physical Therapy
  • Polysomnography 
  • Psychoanalysts
  • Psychology
  • Respiratory Care
  • Social Work 
  • Speech-Language Pathology
• Other requirements such as licensure fees, proof of medical malpractice insurance, and criminal history background checks have been temporarily waived along with other regulatory requirements.
• Medications for chronic pain and other qualifying conditions such as controlled dangerous substances (CDS) and authorized medical marijuana can be prescribed, dispensed, and administered through telemedicine even in the absence of an in-person medical evaluation.
• Under the Temporary Emergency Reciprocity Licensure Program of the Division of Consumer Affairs, all temporary licenses issued to out-of-state licensees do not follow the 90-day effectivity period but are all set to expire on June 30, 2021.
• A new set of standards for telehealth practice are adopted for several healthcare providers, namely acupuncturists, audiologists, genetic counselors, nurses, physical therapists, psychologists, social workers, and speech-language pathologists.
• The Department of Banking and Insurance urges healthcare plan or insurance providers to completely waive cost-sharing fees if the reason for seeking medical services is COVID-19. 
• When it comes to telemedicine and telehealth services, specific technological quality requirements are relaxed while some are waived. 

10 Top-rated Online Doctors and Telemedicine Providers in New Jersey

New Jersey has almost nine million residents, according to the US Census Bureau. With this number, it is a given that the provider-to-patient ratio is high. To meet the demand, a lot of healthcare providers have turned to telemedicine practice. If your case is a non-emergent one or does not require an in-person physical examination by a doctor, availing of healthcare services via telemedicine is an effective and cost-saving option. 

If you are in New Jersey and are looking for an online healthcare professional who can accommodate your medical concerns, you can scroll through the list of the best telemedicine providers in the state below: 

Vanguard eCare

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•   Prescription
•   HIPAA Compliant
•   Board Certified Physicians
•   Insurance

The eCare services are exclusively available to exist and established Vanguard patients only. The Vanguard Medical Group healthcare team is accessible through video visits. They offer the same quality of services as they provide in-person to diagnose and treat their patients. Given that they cater to Vanguard patients, they have access to every medical history to make an accurate diagnosis and give proper medication for the following conditions: 

• Allergies
• Athlete’s Foot
• Canker Sore
• Cold
• Conjunctivitis
• Cough
• Diaper Rash
• Dermatitis
• Jock Itch
• Lower Back Pain
• Minor Burns
• Motion Sickness
• Nail Problems 
• Urinary Tract Infection
• Respiratory Infections
• Ringworm
• Shingles
• Sinus Infection
• Stye
• Sore Throat
• Tinea
• Yeast Infection

They utilize Updox Video Chat for telemedicine visits. Patients don’t need to register or use an app to set an appointment. An invitation link will be directly sent to the patient’s email or as a text message. 

Some of the conditions a patient must meet to be prescribed medications online are the existence of a necessity for a prescription for his or her medical condition and that a Vanguard provider must have seen him or her in the past three years. They do not prescribe narcotics or pain medications through their eCare service. 

They have locations scattered all over New Jersey, so if ever the need arises for an in-person evaluation, you can still be seen by a Vanguard doctor allowing the continuity of care. 

Locations/Cities Served:

 Samwell Institute for Pain Management

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•   Prescription
•   HIPAA Compliant
•   Board Certified Pain Specialists 
•   Insurance

The services offered at Samwell are solely dedicated to treating different types of pain, such as:

• Knee Discomfort
• Hip Pain 
• Low Back Pain
• Neck Pain
• Shoulder Pain

After initial examination via telemedicine, if the doctor determines that diagnostic testing such as imaging procedures and blood tests need to be done for a full and accurate diagnosis to be given, he or she will issue an order for the same. The findings on the CT scans, MRIs, or X-rays will be the basis for developing an appropriate treatment plan for the patient’s condition. 

Each patient’s case is unique and needs a personalized treatment plan. The options for pain management laid down by their providers are as follows:

• Injections: Joint injections to relieve pain or inflammation may be administered via telemedicine upon determining the pain specialist that the patient is qualified. 
• Medications: To alleviate pain, their doctor can provide you with prescriptions for oral medications and topical solutions. Necessary adjustments to a patient’s medications can also be made for a more effective treatment. 
• Physical Therapy: This is the best option for patients suffering from chronic pain brought about by an injury or those who have weak muscles. Their doctor will demonstrate and guide patients on home exercises through this telemedicine service to improve their strength and flexibility. 

Locations/Cities Served: Colonia, Livingston

AM/PM Telemed Services

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•   Prescription
•   HIPAA Compliant
•   Board Certified Emergency Medicine Doctors, Family Medicine Doctors, Internists, Physician Assistants
•   Insurance

AM/PM Walk In Urgent Care is an affordable and effective alternative for emergency room visits, especially for minor and non-life-threatening minor medical conditions and injuries. Their physical facilities offer laboratory tests and X-rays. Aside from these testing tools and other services that can be offered only in a face-to-face set up, they also deliver telemedicine services to patients wherever they may be located within the state of New Jersey. 

They accommodate adults and children who are above three months of age under their telemedicine services and for the following minor and non-emergent conditions:

• Colds
• Conjunctivitis
• Cough
• Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Issues 
• Flu
• Insect Bites
• Rashes
• Seasonal Allergies
• Sinus Issues
• Skin Infections
• Upset Stomach
• Urinary Tract Infections

They also offer urgent medication refills. Their electronic health record system allows for accurate and up-to-date documentation of all services available by a patient, which can be easily forwarded to their primary care doctor or specialist upon request. 

Patients can communicate directly through their website as there is no need to download any app or software. Their booking system is run by SolvHealth. 

If your medical condition progresses and you need to be seen by a healthcare professional in person, you can be easily referred to one of their urgent care clinic locations in Bergenfield, Cliffside Park, or North Bergen, whichever is nearest you. 

Locations/Cities Served:

Riverside Medical Group

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•   Prescription
•   HIPAA Compliant
•   Board Certified Specialists
•   Insurance

The telemedicine services offered by Riverside Medical Group are available for both pediatric and adult consultations, sick visits, and follow-up visits. 

They have a wide range of specialties, and all of these are offered through their telemedicine services: 

• Allergy and Immunology
• Behavioral and Mental Health
• Cardiology
• Chiropractic Medicine
• Cosmetic Dermatology
• Dermatology
• Endocrinology
• Ear, Nose, and Throat & Audiology
• Foot and Ankle
• Gastroenterology (Adult and Pediatric)
• Hematology and Oncology
• Infectious Disease
• Metabolic Medicine
• Neurology
• Obstetrics-Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine
• Ophthalmology
• Pain Management
• Physical Therapy
• Pulmonology
• Rheumatology
• Senior Care
• Sleep Medicine
• Urgent Care
• Urology
• Vein Disorder Treatment
• Weight Management

Their pediatric telemedicine services cover children care from birth up to age 21 years old and could be for any of the following illnesses: 

• Allergy Conditions
• Breathing Issues
• Cold Symptoms
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Flu Symptoms 
• Insect Bites
• Nausea
• Pink Eye
• Respiratory Issues
• Scrapes and Cuts
• Skin Rashes
• Vomiting

It must still be kept in mind that not all medical conditions falling under these fields of specialization are medically appropriate to be treated via telemedicine. Their providers will determine If you or your medical case can be accommodated under this type of service before proceeding with the remote consultation, diagnosis, and treatment. 

They utilize the Zoom software for all their telemedicine virtual visits. It is the version made especially for a healthcare practice to ensure that it complies with security and confidentiality standards mandated by law. 

Locations/Cities Served:

University Hospital Virtual Urgent Care 

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•   Prescription
•   HIPAA Compliant
•   Board Certified Emergency Physician, Mental Health Providers
•   Insurance

The UHNJ is in partnership with Rutgers NJMS in offering patients located in New Jersey telemedicine services. If you have medical concerns involving the eye, nose, throat, skin, gastrointestinal, minor injuries, viral illnesses, and other non-emergency conditions, their virtual urgent care doctors would be able to treat you. 

Anyone ages five years old and above can avail of this type of service for the following list of minor conditions:

• Arm, Leg, or Back Pain
• Athlete’s Foot
• Bronchitis
• Bruises
• Cold
• Cold Sore
• Conjunctivitis
• Constipation
• Cough
• Cuts
• Diarrhea
• Dry Skin
• Eczema
• Eye Irritation
• Flu
• Hives
• Joint Pain
• Mild Fever
• Nausea
• Poison Ivy
• Rashes
• Seasonal Allergies
• Sinus Pain
• Sore Throat
• Sprains
• Strains
• Stuffy Nose
• Stye
• Upset Stomach
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
• Yeast Infection

These conditions typically do not need an in-person examination or face-to-face interaction to be properly treated. You can directly avail of their virtual urgent care services as no referral is needed to access them. 

You can talk to one of their mental health providers or set a post-operative appointment if your provider deems it appropriate for you to receive these healthcare services via telemedicine. 

If you are experiencing bleeding, breathing difficulty, chest pains, genital complaints, numbness, overdose, poisoning, or severe pain, UHNJ urges you to immediately seek emergency help as these serious conditions cannot be treated through their virtual urgent care program. 

Location/City Served: Newark

AtlantiCare

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•   Prescription
•   HIPAA Compliant
•   Board-Certified Physicians, Specialists, Mental Health Doctors, Physician Assistants, Nurses
•   Insurance

Both existing and new patients from infancy and above can avail of AtlantiCare’s telehealth services. One of the main services they offer via telehealth is managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

These are the major categories under their telehealth program and the corresponding illnesses and sub-specialties falling under each category: 

• Behavioral Health: depression, psychiatrist, psychologist, and social worker visits
• Specialty Care: bariatric, cancer care, endocrinology, gynecologic cancer care, neurology, neurosurgery, obstetrics-gynecology, pediatrics, rheumatology, surgical oncology, thoracic services, urology, vascular
• Urgent and Primary Care: common cold, diarrhea, fever, flu, seasonal allergies, rashes, upper respiratory infections, urinary symptoms, vomiting

If your medical condition requires medications, their doctors can provide you with a prescription. However, they do not issue prescriptions for controlled substances or narcotic medications on their telehealth platform. Their providers must see you in person for these drugs to properly determine the necessity for the same. 

If, on the other hand, laboratory and imaging tests are needed for your diagnosis, they also issue orders. When the expertise of a specialist is necessary for your medical issue, they can refer you to one of their specialty care providers. 

They cater to individuals without insurance through their Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Primary and Prevent Care program. They use different video conferencing tools for their telehealth visits, including Skype Meetings. 

Locations/Cities Served:

RWJBarnabas Health

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•   Prescription
•   HIPAA Compliant
•   Board-Certified Physicians, Specialists, Nurses
•   Insurance

RWJBarnabas is New Jersey’s largest academic healthcare provider. You can be sure that you have access to the latest medical technologies, modern treatment methods, and the application of the latest findings in medical researches. 

If you are not sure if they can accommodate your medical case virtually, you can check out the list of specialties they have and call their team or office directly. RWJBarnabas covers a wide range of specialties for telemedicine consultations for the following:

• Adult Endocrinology
• Adult Pulmonology and Cystic Fibrosis
• Bloodless Medicine
• Cardiology
• Critical Care Medicine
• Emergency Medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Geriatric Medicine
• Gynecologic Oncology
• Hematologic Oncology
• Infectious Disease
• Internal Medicine
• Maternal and Fetal Medicine
• Midwifery
• Nephrology
• Neurology
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Occupational Medicine
• Oncology
• Orthopedics (Adult and Pediatric)
• Pediatrics
• Primary Care
• Psychiatry
• Pulmonary
• Radiology
• Sleep Medicine
• Sports Medicine
• Surgery
• Urgent Care
• Urology
• Urogynecology

Virtual appointments can be booked either by phone or online. One should note that not all online consultations can outrightly give you a diagnosis and treatment plan. You can schedule an appointment, check courses or plans of action for your medical concern, or simply talk about your symptoms, and you and your doctor can proceed from there. Their providers will help you make well-informed medical decisions for your health concerns. 

It is not a problem if English is not your primary language as they have available language assistance in different languages such as Español, Tagalog, Italiano, Português, and many other languages. 

Locations/Cities Served:

Motion PT Group

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•   Prescription
•   HIPAA Compliant
•   Board Certified Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists 
•   Insurance

Motion PT Group offers telehealth services they refer to as Motion on the Go, which is perfect for patients who have mobility problems or transportation challenges. How it works is very similar to in-office sessions where the provider will give you instructions to follow for your therapy. You will be guided through video chat for the entire duration of your session. 

Some of the services and conditions they offer therapies for are as follows:

• Balance and Strength: Dizziness, Lightheadedness, Vestibular Disorders
• Chronic Conditions:  Back, Neck, Joint, and other forms of pain
• Hand and Upper Extremity Injuries: Carpal Tunnel, Dislocations, Fractures
• Pediatrics: Training 
• Pre- and Post-Surgery: Recovery
• Sports Injuries: Sprains, Strains, Tears

After-sessions communication with your provider can also be done through a secure messaging platform.  

Most of their patients are those who have undergone surgery, had a recent injury, and just want to stay healthy. Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment can be all be done through their telemedicine service.  

Patients are given access to online exercises and other resources that can help them progress with their therapy offline. The patient portal also allows patients to view their medical records and information, including test results, imaging scans, appointment history and schedule, prescriptions, and other health information. 

Their licensed therapists accommodate clients of all ages through phone consultation or video conferencing. 

Locations/Cities Served:

Tri-County Orthopedics

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•   Prescription
•   HIPAA Compliant
•   Board Certified Orthopedic Doctor, Podiatrists, Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician
•   Insurance

New and established patients alike are welcome to avail themselves of Tri-County’s telemedicine programs. Services offered via online appointments include consultations for new conditions, follow-up, chronic conditions, and post-operative routine check-ups. 

They specialize in the following sub-categories of orthopedics and can assess, diagnose, and treat you for the following conditions:

• Pain Management: acute pain, back pain, chronic pain, injury, metabolic problems, nerve damage 
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: arthritis, back pain, changes brought by childbirth or menopause, chronic pain, disability, limited function, recovery from a stroke, reduced energy, spinal cord injury
• Podiatry: ankle sprains, bunions, Cavus foot, flat feet, fractures, fungus, hammertoes, metatarsalgia, neuromas, plantar warts, and other related conditions
• Sports Medicine: bursitis, cartilage injuries, fractures, ligament injuries, tendon injures, sprains, strains, tendonitis

They also attend to specific body part injuries and conditions such as in the following areas:

• Ankle: Achille’s injuries, ankle fractures, arthritis, deformities
• Back: pins-and-needles sensation, muscle spasms, radiating pain downward
• Elbow: Golfer’s elbow or lateral epicondylitis, Tennis elbow
• Foot: calluses, heel pain, ingrown toenails, plantar fasciitis
• Hand: congenital deformities of the hand, Dupuytren’s contracture, Ganglion cysts, thumb pain, trigger finger 
• Hip: Femoroacetabular impingement, labral tears, meniscus injuries, osteoarthritis
• Knee: anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries
• Neck: cervical disc disease, degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, sciatica, spondylosis
• Shoulder: rotator cuff injuries, tendinitis
• Spine: lumbar pain, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis
• Wrist: distal radial fracture, related finger, hand, or thumb pain

You can also access educational resources to know more about certain medical conditions associated with these different body parts, when they should raise concern, and how to manage them. 

Patients who require an X-ray or have their first post-operative consultation must still be seen in person by Tri-County providers. 

Locations/Cities Served:

Comprehensive Pediatrics

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•   Prescription
•   HIPAA Compliant
•   Board-Certified Pediatricians
•   Insurance

Bringing a child to a clinic can be a cumbersome task and would entail a lot of time, energy, and missing work for a parent or guardian. That is why pediatric care made available via telemedicine is an efficient alternative for parents. 

Telehealth appointments at Comprehensive Pediatrics are conducted through video conferencing with the pediatrician, the child, and the parent or guardian. 

Some of the common and minor illnesses and injuries that can be dealt with through telemedicine by pediatricians at Comprehensive are: 

• Common Colds
• Cuts
• Ear Infections
• Flu 
• Poison ivy
• Rashes
• Scrapes
• Sore Throat

If the child can express himself or herself, the pediatrician will ask questions and discuss findings directly with the child. If not, these will be directed to the parent or guardian. The pediatrician’s goal is to get accurate accounts of the symptoms experienced by the child through detailed descriptions from the patient or parent and virtually examine him or her. 

Parents may be asked to do the physical examination through the provider’s guidance and get vitals, including temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and other wellness checks. 

Other services offered through their telehealth platform are prescription refills and follow-up visits. You can initially discuss with one of their pediatricians via video chat your concerns about autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, adolescent health, developmental conditions, and other related conditions. Providers at Comprehensive Pediatricians will help you through the process, refer you to one of their specialists, and schedule you for an in-office consultation. 

Location/City Served: Edison

Telemedicine Resources in New Jersey

With the rise of medical practitioners expanding their practice into telemedicine and increasing consumers utilizing this means to access healthcare, all types of information about it spread fast on the web. Some sites can provide you with credible and accurate information about telehealth and telemedicine, but there are also sites that can cause more confusion rather than clarity on the subject. If you are looking for reliable telemedicine resources solely dedicated to the state of New Jersey, the following sites are run and operated by the government, either by the federal or state government:

• State of New Jersey Department of Health: All the latest and previous announcements, news, changes, development, and discussions on telehealth and telemedicine in the state can be found on this website. There are also available information, updates, and toolkits for New Jerseyans for each community sector during public health emergencies. 

• Center for Connected Health Policy – NJ: If you want to be updated with the current state laws and reimbursement policies in New Jersey, you can visit CCHP, a program of the Public Health Institute. You can access all state information on Medicaid reimbursement and other programs, private payer laws, professional requirements, and links to regional telehealth resource centers.

• New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs: This DCA site provides portable document format copies of all adopted laws and rule proposals on New Jersey telemedicine and telehealth. Information, license verification, and other useful links for all professional and occupational boards and committees in the state of New Jersey are also found on this website. Complaint forms can also be accessed in English or Spanish. 

• Northeast Telehealth Resource Center: The state of New Jersey belongs in the Northeast Region. As such, it is a member of the NETRC. This is a federally funded telehealth resource that aims to develop, improve, and expand access and knowledge of both providers and consumers by providing technical assistance. Aside from this, basic information, statistics, research, news, telehealth-related events, and other resources can also be accessed on their website.

• Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center: Unlike most states that exclusively belongs to one region, New Jersey is also located in the Mid-Atlantic Region. That is why MATRC also covers New Jersey for its telehealth resources. They provided information about the state’s telehealth policy and coded NJ Medicaid, private payers, medical boards, and other relevant policies on the subject. One can be easily redirected through external links for the official sites that provide these types of information. 

• National Conference of State Legislatures Scope of Practice Policy – New Jersey: If you are looking for resources for a specific medical practice such as behavioral health providers, nurse practitioners, oral health providers, pharmacists, and physician assistants, the NCSLSOP can provide you with the latest legislation, requirements, scope of practice, data, and other telemedicine-related information.