Telehealth and telemedicine have quickly become significant methods of delivering healthcare services, especially for those physically challenged and those residing in rural areas who do not enjoy easy access to these services.
The State of North Carolina’s Telehealth Playbook defines telehealth as “the use of information and telecommunication technologies to interact with providers for purposes of distance clinical health care, health-related education, health administration, and public health.” On the other hand, telemedicine only encompasses remote clinical services.
There are four recognized modalities of NC telehealth:
- Live (Synchronous) Videoconferencing: Under this modality, a two-way audiovisual link is used as a form of communication between the provider and the patient.
- Mobile Health (mHealth): This is more of a public service announcement disseminated through mobile devices. Messages may contain warnings about disease outbreaks or general educational information. Targeted texts are also forms of mHealth.
- Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM): Vitals such as blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and weight, and other health data obtained by the patient with the use of electronic medical tools are transmitted to his or her provider for review.
- Store-and-Forward (Asynchronous) Videoconferencing: Pre-recorded health information is transmitted to another provider specializing in the subject medical case. Completed questionnaires also fall under this category.
The Hybrid Model is also practiced in North Carolina. This practice is a combination of telehealth and supporting home visits. It is usually applied for chronic disease management and perinatal care.
There are currently no private payer and payment parity laws introduced in North Carolina, but Medicaid reimburses for a wide array of healthcare services available via telehealth. Despite the absence of these much-needed laws, the various options allowed by the state in availing telehealth services still somehow make it more accessible and affordable.
- Unmatched Features of Telemedicine in North Carolina
- North Carolina State Telemedicine Laws and Policies
- Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
- State Reimbursement Policy
- Public Health Emergency (PHE)
- 10 Best Online Doctors and Telemedicine Providers in North Carolina
- Telemedicine Resources in North Carolina
Unmatched Features of Telemedicine in North Carolina
The North Carolina Medical Board’s website has laid down an entire section dedicated to telemedicine, which contains helpful information and links to professional and consumer resources.
They also have online services for both individual practitioners and corporate providers, from simple ones like the change of address, subscriptions, forms, and license verifications to more complex services such as healthcare professionals reporting substandard care and prescribing or sexual misconduct.
This dedication to telemedicine shows the state’s recognition of the positive changes it has contributed in the medical field and the need to regulate the same due to the increase of providers and users.
North Carolina State Telemedicine Laws and Policies
Who can practice telemedicine in North Carolina?
Physicians who have been granted a license to practice by the North Carolina Medical Board also hold the privilege to provide healthcare services via telemedicine to individuals located in the state of North Carolina.
Even if the NC licensee is not a resident of or is not located within state boundaries when rendering healthcare services through telemedicine means, the practice is valid.
There are no laws tackling concerns about out-of-state providers. However, NC has been actively acquiring memberships from different state-wide and interstate compacts to increase the number of telehealth practitioners in the state. It allows providers to expand their practice to other states.
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact
To improve public access to audiology and speech-language pathologists, the state, through House Bill 1053, has deemed it necessary to become a member of the Interstate Compact. Under the Compact, holders of licenses to practice as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist in their home state also have the privilege to extend their practice and telepractice to other member states. However, this does not remove the states’ right and authority to regulate and sanction the practice in their state.
The practitioner’s criminal history is one of the criteria to be given an initial privilege to practice. Member states must run a criminal background check first and run it through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) before deciding whether to grant or not the practitioner such privilege.
This Compact has only been recently ratified last April 2, 2021, with the participation of ten states.
Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
A Compact Legislation was already introduced as Senate Bill 380 in North Carolina’s General Assembly. It is currently up for review by the Commission on Rules and Operations of the Senate, having passed first reading.
If this bill is passed into law, licensing processes for multiple-state practice for both North Carolina physicians and other member state physicians to likewise practice in NC will be expedited. Applicants need only meet the Compact’s eligibility requirements to be issued a license by the state where they intend to practice.
Nurse Licensure Compact
North Carolina foregoes the requirement of additional licenses for nurses from other states to practice within its boundaries. North Carolina licensees are also allowed to practice in other NLC states.
This Compact is only applicable to Registered Nurses and Licensed Practitioner Nurses only. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) do not enjoy the same privilege because they are required to hold a state license for every individual state where they intend to practice.
Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact
PSYPACT has made it easier for psychologists to provide telepsychology and temporary in-person psychology services beyond state boundaries. The Commission devises the rules and regulations that govern this practice and is also responsible for issuing the authority to practice in such a manner. North Carolina has been a participating state since July 1, 2020.
Before one can be granted an Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT), one must first obtain an E.Passport issued by Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). This is one way the Compact ensures that all applicants are well screened before they are given the privilege to practice telepsychology across states.
Physical Therapy Compact
Through House Bill 57, North Carolina effectively became a member state of the Physical Therapy Compact. It has been actively issuing and accepting compact privileges to all licensed physical therapists from member states. The Compact has reduced the barriers for these providers to practice across states through the Commission, which is its governing body.
Standard of Care
Telemedicine providers are expected to deliver their services in the same level of care as they would in person. The North Carolina Medical Board did not set a separate or lowered standard for rendering telemedicine services. Licensees are expected to live up to the following standards:
- The patient’s identity and location must be confirmed before rendering of any telemedicine service;
- Technology to be employed in telemedicine services must be capable of accurately diagnosing the patient;
- Before giving a diagnosis, the provider must first establish the patient’s history, conduct a virtual physical examination, evaluate his or her mental status, and order the necessary tests;
- Staff who participate in the delivery of telemedicine services should be trained in handling the equipment to be utilized;
- Completion and maintenance of the patient’s medical record, which shall be made available to the patient and his or her other medical providers;
Failure to meet the set standards may lead to disciplinary action by the board. A provider who gives a diagnosis based on an accomplished questionnaire might violate the set standard if there were no other means implemented to make sure that the diagnosis is accurate.
Informed Consent
The following information must be made available to the patient before he or she receives healthcare services via telemedicine:
- Licensee’s name, credentials, and location
- Follow-up care instructions
- Benefits of using telemedicine
- Risks and limitations of availing healthcare services through telemedicine
- Alternative options other than telemedicine
The consent, which may be verbal or written, shall be obtained and noted in the patient’s medical record. If the patient’s consent cannot be obtained due to existing circumstances before delivery of telehealth services, it shall be properly documented as well.
Confidentiality
A patient-physician relationship can be established through telehealth means alone since it is already considered a professional service. All health information shared by the patient or discovered during the physician-patient relationship must be kept confidential, especially those recorded in the patient’s medical record following the HIPAA standard.
The importance of confirming the patient’s identity and location before engaging in telemedicine services avoids disclosing confidential health information to other patients. It also helps prevent fraudulent activities from happening in this type of practice.
E-prescription
All prescriptions may be transmitted through a facsimile machine or any other means of electronic transmission to a pharmacist or certified technician in the pharmacy and shall contain the following information:
- Identity and contact number of the transmitter so that verbal confirmation can be made;
- Date and time of transmission;
- Name of the pharmacy that is the intended recipient of the electronic prescription;
- Written or electronic signature of the prescriber that bears an identifier unique to the prescriber;
There must be no intervention or participation of a third party during the transmission from the prescriber to the pharmacy that may cause alterations in the content of the electronic prescription.
North Carolina observes the “Contact with Patients Before Prescribing” rule. It mandates that a personal encounter must transpire first between the patient and the physician. A licensed healthcare professional must evaluate patients, particularly when prescribing pain medications under the Controlled Substances category.
The state medical board contends that would be contrary to the set standard of care and the Drug Enforcement Administration rules to allow the online prescription of controlled substances without an initial personal evaluation and established prescriber-patient relationship. Prescribers must comply with the Controlled Substances Reporting System and other conditions mandated by federal and state laws.
Teledentistry
The NC Oral Health Collaborative supports the utilization of technology for consultation, education, and oral health assessment, especially for patients located in rural areas in North Carolina. Both synchronous and asynchronous modalities are recognized in teledentistry. Dental hygienists and other dental providers then use modern tools such as intraoral cameras and digital x-rays to examine, review, diagnose, and provide comprehensive treatment plans to patients.
State Reimbursement Policy
For telehealth services to be reimbursable, the delivery must be consistent with the quality, scope of practice, and ethical standards expected in in-person services. Furthermore, the procedure, product, or service rendered must be:
- specific to the patient’s confirmed diagnosis;
- not in excess of what is appropriate and sufficient for the patient’s needs;
- passes safety standards;
- there are no other options that are equally effective with the proposed procedure, product, or service; and
- convenience is not the primary consideration for availing telehealth services.
Health care plan providers cannot require their insured members to avail of telehealth services instead of being seen in person.
There are no restrictions on originating sites, and it can be anywhere the patient is located from community sites, health care facilities, the patient’s home, or school. There are likewise no restrictions as to distant sites.
Facility fees may only be billed when the member beneficiary is located at the provider’s office or health facility when the patient avails telehealth services from another provider at the distant site.
Neonatal or infant echocardiograms and initial examinations to be performed on individuals under law enforcement custody are also covered and reimbursed.
What Services Are Reimbursed in the State of North Carolina?
By NC Medicaid:
- Live Video
- Store-and-Forward
- Remote Patient Monitoring
- Stand-alone or combination of Audio-only Service and Virtual Check-in
X E-mail, Text Message, or Facsimile
For store-and-forward, audio-only telephone conversations, virtual check-in, or portal communications, the following services are included as virtual communication:
- Interprofessional assessment and management
- Online digital evaluation and management
- Telephonic evaluation and management
Transmissions between two providers are considered reimbursable as long as it is delivered in compliance with the law.
For remote patient monitoring, two types of services are recognized under this modality:
- Self-Measured and Reported Monitoring: The patient measures and collects the needed data for transmission to his or her provider.
- Remote Physiologic Monitoring: There is synchronization and automatic wireless transmission of data gathered by a digital device on the patient’s end to the provider who can immediately evaluate them.
All devices used for remote patient monitoring must fall under the US Food and Drug Administration’s definition of a medical device.
By Private Payer or Other Health Care Service Plan Providers:
Currently, no private payer laws govern coverage and reimbursement of telehealth services in North Carolina. Healthcare insurance providers exercise discretion when it comes to including telehealth services in their coverage or whether to reimburse the same or not.
Who can avail of these reimbursements?
- Advanced Practice Nurse Specialists
- Audiology Assistants
- Certified Nurse Midwives
- Clinical Addiction Specialist
- Clinical Addiction Specialist Associate
- Clinical Mental Health Counselor
- Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate
- Clinical Pharmacist Practitioners
- Clinical Social Worker
- Clinical Social Worker Associate
- Marriage and Family Therapist
- Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
- Nurse Midwives
- Nurse Practitioners
- Physician Assistants
- Physicians
- Professional Counselor
- Professional Counselor Associate
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychologist Associates
- Psychologists
Public Health Emergency (PHE)
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought fear and anxiety to people from seeking medical services in offices, clinics, and other facilities due to the risk of exposure to the virus. That is why the state of North Carolina has deemed it necessary to implement the following temporary guidelines involving the utilization of telemedicine during the existence of the public health emergency:
- Physicians licensed in other jurisdictions may apply for a limited emergency license to practice telemedicine within their scope of practice in the state of North Carolina through a free short online application that can be approved within seven days.
- During the existence of the public health emergency, controlled substances may be prescribed to both new and established patients based on a telemedicine consultation alone subject to the following terms and conditions:
- There is a legitimate medical purpose for which the prescription was issued;
- The prescriber who issued it was acting within the scope of his or her professional practice;
- A real-time, two-way interactive communication technology with audio and visual capabilities was utilized for the virtual consultation;
- Federal and State laws are accordingly complied with;
- In the case of non-controlled substances, telephone-only consultation may suffice before a prescription can be given. For established patients, controlled substances may be prescribed after a telephone-only consultation but not for new patients.
- Patients currently in the state of NC may be allowed to avail of telemedicine healthcare services, including prescriptions from their established physician licensed in another state.
- The temporary services during the PHE are eyeglasses, contact lenses, and hearing aid services.
- Private payers have also made adjustments to their policies when it comes to reimbursing virtual and telehealth services. They are now reimbursing telephonic medical and behavioral services and e-visits. Limitations as to originating and distant sites, and the requirement of prior authorizations, have been removed for the meantime. Some are also covering physician-to-physician consultations.
These state guidelines are aimed at helping North Carolina residents gain more access to healthcare services within the safety and comfort of their homes in these uncertain times.
10 Best Online Doctors and Telemedicine Providers in North Carolina
North Carolina has a population of more than ten million. Each of these ten million individuals may be adults or children and need to see a doctor at least once in their lifetime. Tech advancements made it possible for patients to access medical services through telemedicine means and for practitioners to meet the increasing demand. It is because of these benefits that a lot of providers have integrated telemedicine into their services.
Finding a provider that offers just what you can be a daunting task. You can check the following best online doctors in the state of North Carolina to help you save time while being confident that you will get quality healthcare services:
UNC Rex Healthcare
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board Certified Pediatricians, Internal, Family, and Emergency Medicine Doctors
- Insurance
Everyone is welcome to avail of their telemedicine services, established or new patients. However, they only accommodate children ages two years old and above who must be present during the video conference consultation. They are in partnership with MDLive, so you can expect that there will always be an available doctor to see you virtually.
What UNC Rex Healthcare 24-hour virtual urgent care treats are common childhood and adult medical conditions such as:
- Acne
- Allergies
- Cold
- Constipation
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Ear Problems
- Fever
- Flu
- Headache
- Insect Bites
- Nausea
- Pink Eye
- Rash
- Respiratory Problems
- Sore Throat
- Urinary Infections
- Vaginitis
- Vomiting
If the doctor who saw you online finds it necessary to take medications, electronic prescriptions will be sent directly to your chosen pharmacy. If the pharmacy you have chosen cannot accept electronic prescriptions, the provider will issue a traditional one which he or she will sign and send via a facsimile machine. The prescriptions they issue are limited to non-narcotic drugs or non-controlled substances.
One must note that the providers you see virtually cannot serve as or replace your primary care physician (PCP). They can, with your consent, openly coordinate with your PCP if you have one or help you find one if you do not have one yet.
You have three options in accessing their services: their website, their hotline, or through their app that is available at both App Store and Google Play.
Location/City Served: Raleigh
Mission Health
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board Certified Physicians and Specialists
- Insurance; Not applicable for some services
Mission Health’s virtual care options for consumers ages 2 to 65 are:
- Care Now Video Visits: If you do not have any preference for a provider and if you need to receive healthcare right away for a non-emergency and common illness, you can schedule a My Care Now video visit, and you will be connected with any available provider. Your payment for the online visitors will be credited to your in-office consultation if it has been determined that a personal visit is more appropriate for your medical case during the My Care Now visit.
- Mission Telehealth: For those who have an established relationship with a Mission Health primary care physician or specialty care provider, this is the right option. This is very similar to an in-office visit
- Virtual Clinic: This option is ideal for Western North Carolina residents who don’t have a primary care physician (PCP) yet. Some of the illnesses they treat under this option are:
- Common Female Infections: Bladder Infection, Vaginal Yeast Infection
- Eye and Mouth Problems: Canker Sores, Conjunctivitis, Sty
- Medication for Illness or Infection Prevention: Influenza, Pertussis Exposure
- Respiratory Infections and Allergies: Flu, Hay Fever, Sinus Infection
- Skin and Nail Problems: Acne, Athlete’s Foot, Contact Dermatitis, Diaper Rash, Eczema, Jock Itch, Ringworm, Shingles, Tinea
- Stomach Pains: Constipation, Diarrhea, GERD, Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Travel Medication: Malaria Prevention, Motion Sickness Prevention
Locations/Cities Served:
- Franklin
- Asheville
- Spruce Pine
- Marion
- Highlands
- Drive Asheville
- Brevard
- Arden
- Clyde
Novant GoHealth
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board Certified Physicians and Pediatricians
- Insurance
Depending on your situation’s level of urgency, you can set a scheduled visit with their Novant Health provider through MyChart or start an on-demand visit with whoever is available at the moment.
Existing patients can simply send a message and a completed electronic questionnaire through the E-Visit option. Another mode of telemedicine they offer is the TytoHome Video Visit. Here, you will be using a TytoHome medical exam kit to collect and transmit vitals and other medical information to your doctor.
Providers at Novant GoHealth offers telemedicine services to treat common health illnesses, injuries, and issues such as:
- Allergies
- Back and Neck Pain
- Bronchitis
- Cold
- Cold Sores
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Eye Infection
- Fever
- Flu
- Headache
- Laryngitis
- Minor Animal Bites
- Minor Burns
- Nausea
- Poison Oak, Ivy, and Sumac
- Rashes
- Respiratory Infection
- Sore Throat
- Sprain
- Sunburn
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Vomiting
- Wheezing
They treat both adults and children ages 1-year-old and above. If you are an established patient of Novant Health, you may opt to schedule your virtual visit with your Novant Health primary care physician or your child’s pediatrician. All patients who are below 17 years of age are directly matched with a pediatric specialist. They also offer initial workers compensation services via video conference.
Although they prescribe medications electronically, they do not issue prescriptions for narcotics during a virtual visit. If your provider refers you to in-person consultation at their urgent care locations all over North Carolina, you must complete it within the next 24 hours for your virtual visit payment to be credited.
Locations/Cities Served: Charlotte, Matthews
Avance Care
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board Certified Behavioral Therapists, Clinical Pharmacists, Physicians, Psychiatrists, Registered Dietitians
- Insurance
Avance Care offers primary and urgent care services for both new and established patients via telehealth for pediatrics, teens, and adults like:
- Allergies
- Cold
- Contraception
- Cough
- Fever
- Flu
- Headache
- Pain in back, neck, or limbs
- Rashes
- Skin Conditions
- Sore Throat
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Follow-ups and monitoring for chronic conditions such as attention deficit disorder, depression, diabetes, and high blood pressure
Everything at Avance Care is integrated from their clinics, laboratories, x-rays, and all telehealth services. They utilize the Healow app for all their telehealth appointments. They also offer virtual televisits via Zoom for their nutrition and behavioral wellness services. Zoom is the chosen app platform for these services because it provides an option for the provider to share their educational materials on the screen. To participate in behavioral wellness services, the patient must already be an Avance Care established patient with an existing psychiatric provider.
Avance Nutrition provides two options for their clients, both new and established, either individual counseling or virtual group classes. The programs include emotional eating, family nutrition, prediabetes program, thriving with diabetes, and weight management. They also have free downloadable cookbooks containing healthy recipes which you can try at home.
If your medical case requires an in-person consultation, you will see the same provider who accommodated you through the virtual visit. It allows continuity of care, and you won’t have to explain or describe your medical complaint all over again.
Locations/Cities Served:
- Cary
- Apex
- Chapel Hill
- Charlotte
- Clayton
- Durham
- Fuquay-Varina
- Garner
- Holly Springs
- Knightdale
- Morrisville
- Raleight
- Wake Forest
UNC Urgent Care 24/7
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board Certified Physicians
- Insurance
The UNC Health Care network or system is owned by North Carolina and is a non-profit healthcare institution. It currently has thirteen locations scattered across the state.
UNC practices a patient-centric approach in rendering their healthcare services via telemedicine. Patients may opt for a live streaming video, telephone consult, or connection through the mobile app. The UNC Urgent Care 24/7 App is available to download at both the App Store and Google Play.
They treat the following non-emergency medical conditions:
- Acne
- Allergies
- Bronchitis
- Constipation
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Ear Problems
- Fever
- Flu
- Headache
- Insect Bites
- Migraines
- Nausea
- Pink Eye
- Rash
- Respiratory Problems
- Sore Throats
- UTI
- Vaginitis
- Vomiting
They can cater to a wide range of medical conditions and many patients because they have partnered with providers from MDLive who are board-certified and well equipped with knowledge and experience.
Although they prescribe medications sent electronically to your chosen pharmacy, they do not easily issue one for antibiotics as they want to awareness antibiotic resistance and its side effects on the patient. Their providers will make an in-depth evaluation of your medical case and determine whether antibiotic intake is the best or only treatment plan available for the patient.
All telemedicine visit summaries are automatically added to the patient’s medical record with the UNC Health Care system, which, with your consent, is accessible to your primary care physician, specialist, and other providers who have an active role in managing your health status.
Locations/Cities Served:
- Raleigh
- Apex
- Cary
- Garner
- Holly Springs
- Knightdale
- Morrisville
- Chapel Hill
- Siler city
- Nash County
- Clayton
- Smithfield
- Golsboro
- Hudson
- Granite Falls
- Lenoir
- Blowing Rock
- Kinston
- Arden
- Hendersonville
- Mayodan
- Hillsborough
Brave Health
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board-Certified Physicians, Counselors, Psychiatrists, Therapists and Nurse Practitioners
- Insurance
Brave Health offers counseling, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), medication management, psychiatry, and therapy for various mental health and substance use disorders. Behavioral health is their field of specialization. Get a customized treatment plan from 6 to 18 months at the end of your consultation.
Their approach is evidence-based and uses clinically effective methods. Their specialists work in teams, so your treatment is a collaborative effort of various experts and medical staff. First, you will meet with one of the assessment team members to talk about what you want to achieve at the end of the treatment. They will lay down options from which you can choose and steps on how to proceed from there.
After being assessed, you will meet your therapist, review your case and discuss them with you. Together with a member of the medical team, you will begin to plan out the course of your treatment. Patients have active participation in formulating his or her treatment plan.
The last team who will see you is the treatment team. As their name would suggest, they are the ones who are responsible for the implementation, monitoring, re-evaluating, and adjusting of your treatment plan.
Patients can access medical resources about drugs, overdose prevention, substance abuse, tobacco and alcohol, and links to other government websites that offer further information.
Location/City Served: North Carolina
WakeMed
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board-Certified Physicians, Emergency Physicians, and Physician Assistants
- Insurance
Healthcare at WakeMed can be accessed through their seven emergency departments for emergent, urgent, and essential services, while for non-emergency health concerns, you may opt for an in-office or virtual visit consultation.
Get quality healthcare services from experienced and caring providers at WakeMed who specialize in adult, pediatric, and occupational medicine. They offer the following services through their virtual urgent care services:
- Abdominal Cramps
- Allergies
- Anxiety
- Arthritic Pain
- Bronchitis
- Cold
- Constipation
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Eye Infections
- Fever
- Flu
- Gout
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Headache
- Hemorrhoids
- Insect Bites
- Mild Asthma
- Muscle Pains
- Rashes
- Sinus Infection
- Sore Throat
- Upper Respiratory Symptoms
- Urinary Tract Infection
Some of their fields of specialization include cardiology, gastroenterology, gynecology, obstetrics, orthopedics, pulmonology, rheumatology, urology, pediatrics, and its subspecialties. WakeMed has recently expanded its telemedicine services to include healthcare falling under any of these specialties. They are now offering other services via telemedicine such as, but not limited to the following:
- Clinical Pharmacist Visit
- Congestive Heart Failure Nurse Visit
- Continuous Glucose Monitoring
- Diabetes Management
- Medical Weight Loss
- Review of Laboratory Results
New and existing patients are welcome to avail themselves of their services through this modality. To schedule an appointment, you simply have to find the provider or specialist you want to see and contact their office. After that, you can schedule appointments by downloading the WakeMed Virtual Urgent Care app at the App Store or Google Play. For their pediatric services, they work in collaboration with PM Pediatrics for virtual consultations.
Location/City Served: Raleigh
Cone Health
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board Certified Physicians and Emergency Providers
- Insurance; Depends on services availed
Medical services offered at Cone Health vary depending on the type of healthcare a patient needs. The following services may vary in modality, but they are all applicable to non-emergency medical conditions:
- 24/7 Video and Phone Visits: Acne, allergies, constipation, cough, diarrhea, ear infection, fever, flu, headache, insect bites, nausea, pink eye, rashes, respiratory problems, sore throats, urinary problems, vaginitis, and vomiting are some of the illnesses accommodated via video and phone visits. For this type of service, no insurance is filed as they charge a flat fee for it.
- Emergency Department Consultations: If you have second thoughts of directly proceeding to an emergency room, get an initial virtual consultation with their emergency provider. They will help you determine whether your medical condition requires emergency care or if it can be remedied through a virtual visit alone.
- MyChart e-Visits: This option is available for adults ages 18 years old and above. The client only has to fill up a short online questionnaire about his or her symptoms, and an e-visit provider will provide a treatment plan within one hour at the earliest.
- Primary and Specialty Virtual Care: If you already have an established relationship with a healthcare provider, you can connect with them through virtual appointments under this type of service. This is similar to an in-office consultation.
- Urgent Care Video Visits: You can speak to any available urgent care provider through MyChart and have your medical concerns heard without having to book an appointment.
Locations/Cities Served:
- Greensboro
- Burlington
- Mebane
Physicians East
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board Certified Physicians and Specialists
- Insurance
All their physical locations in the state and all their specialties offer virtual visits or e-Visits, except for the Sleep Center. They accommodate patients for follow-up check-ups, routine appointments, or consultations for new conditions. They have healthcare professionals who specialize in the following fields and treat the corresponding medical conditions:
- Cardiology: Heart Disease Prevention, Congenital Birth Defects, Congestive Heart Failure, Coronary Artery Disease, Hypertension, Irregular Heart Rhythms, Valves Disorder
- Dermatology: Acne, Basal Skin Cancer, Insect Reactions, Plant Reactions, Psoriasis, Rosacea, Other Skin, Hair, and Nail Conditions
- Endocrinology: Hormone Therapy, Low Testosterone, Pituitary Disorders, Thyroid Disorders
- Hematology and Oncology: Anemia, Bleeding Disorders, Breast Cancer, Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma, Other Forms of Cancer
- Gastroenterology: Anal Disorders, Celiac Disease, Esophagitis, GERD, Helicobacter Pylori, Pancreatic Disease, Swallowing Disorders
- Nutrition: Review of eating habits, lifestyle, and medical history of the patient to determine the right medical nutrition therapy
- Primary Care: Arthritis, Diabetes, Digestive Problems, Heart Disease, Minor Trauma
- Pulmonary and Critical Care: Asthma, Chronic Cough, COPD, Emphysema, Lung Infections, Lung Cancer, Pneumonia
- Rheumatology: Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Tendonitis
- Urgent Care: Allergies, Bladder Infections, Bronchitis, Colds, Eye Infections, Headaches, Sore Throat, STIs, Stomach Flu
- Urogynecology: Pelvic Floor Disorders, Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Vaginal Pain
- Urology: Bladder Prolapse, Incontinence, Kidney Disease, Prostatitis, UTI
- Women’s Care: Infertility Treatment, Marriage and Family Therapy, Menopause Treatment, Obstetrics
Physicians East is a patient-centered medical institution and is nationally recognized as such by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
Locations/Cities Served:
- Greenville
- Kinston
- Winterville
Atrium Health
- Prescription
- HIPAA Compliant
- Board-Certified Physicians, OB-GYN, Pediatricians
- Insurance
Clients of Atrium Health have the following two options when it comes to their telemedicine services:
- Urgent Care Video Visit: This one offers a face-to-face video chat and is available for all individuals regardless of age, newborn, or aged. However, it is strongly recommended that those under five years of age and exhibiting flu-like symptoms be seen in person by their doctor.
- eVisit: Consultations and other communications are limited to secure messaging and usually deal with minor illnesses only. This is only available for Atrium Health patients who are already established.
Minors below 18 years of age will only be entertained during video visits if accompanied by their parent or guardian.
The MyAtriumHealth account allows a parent or guardian to access their child’s medical records, provided that the child is below 13 years old. Anyone older than 13 can have their account. You can download the app on the App Store or Google Play and get eVisits, schedule appointments, access doctor’s notes or visit summaries, check lab test results, communicate with your care team, renew prescriptions, or pay bills.
They also have an emergency department solely dedicated to children to which virtual patients may be directly referred. They have various locations within the state of North Carolina, just in case, your online doctor refers you to an in-office interaction due to the state of your medical condition.
Location/City Served: Charlotte
Telemedicine Resources in North Carolina
Suppose you are residing in North Carolina or within the state and need information about telemedicine practice. In that case, the following resources will provide you with all kinds of details such as rules, regulations, providers, locations, insurance, reimbursement, and other educational materials:
- North Carolina Medical Board: The Board has recognized the benefits and contribution of telemedicine services to the overall delivery and quality of healthcare in North Carolina. To educate and inform its constituents and practitioners of these benefits, it has provided resources about telemedicine, including, but not limited to, rules, laws, position statements, special topics, publications, and multimedia.
- NC Department of Health and Human Services: Whether you’re a patient or a provider who wants to know more about telehealth, the NCDHHS can provide you general information about the topic. Resources for patients or consumers and providers and technical assistance and step-by-step preparation for telehealth visits. You can also access links to other state and federal resources, a list of Internet Service Providers who offer free or affordable connections, and many other helpful tips.
- NC Health Info: This resource is provided by the UNC Health Sciences Library. This site mainly serves as a directory of all providers, health systems, support groups, free and reduced-cost clinics, health insurance, and medical association in North Carolina. You can easily access their websites through the link provided.
- Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center: MATRC is more of a regional-based type of telehealth resource to which the state of North Carolina belongs. Here, you can find discussions on current important topics and regional matters surrounding telehealth. You can request technical assistance or request an expert telehealth speaker.
- Center for Connected Health Policy – NC: If you want to be updated on the current state laws and policy in North Carolina, the CCHP provides a compiled, organized, accurate, and complete information on the state’s telehealth professional requirements to practice, licensure compacts, Medicaid programs, and reimbursement policies, and private payer laws, if any.
