Skagit Regional Health Adds New Telemedicine Services with Launch of MyEClinic

Skagit County, Washington- Skagit Regional Health is expanding access to health care with the launch of a new service called MyEClinic which opened this week.

MyEClinic offers care for simple medical conditions 24 hours a day, 365 days a year over the phone or via video chat, including Skype and FaceTime.  Each visit costs a flat rate of $40.

Jane Root, Regional Vice President of Clinic Operations at Skagit Regional health said “We are working to improve access to care, Our service area is growing and MyEClinic is one way that we are responding to the needs of the communities we serve by offering a convenient and affordable way to talk with a health care provider, day or night.”

MyEClinic can be used for symptoms of bronchitis, cold or cough, ear pain, fever, flu symptoms, pink eye, rash, sinus infection, sore throat, Acne, Allergies, Asthma, Athletes Foot, Back Pain, Bronchitis, Bug Bites, Burns, Colds, Congestion, Minor Cuts, Diarrhea, Eye Issues, Headaches, Heartburn, Nausea,  shingles,  sprains, vomiting, warts, yeast infections, Urinary Tract Infections and much more.

These common conditions can be diagnosed with a thorough medical history from the patient. If the provider believes that a physical exam is required, the patient will be referred on for an in-person visit or to the nearest emergency room, if necessary.

The MyEClinic provider will ask questions about the patient’s symptoms and obtain a medical history.  The provider may also ask the patient to take his or her temperature or use a flashlight to aid in the exam when using video chat.   The MyEClinic providers are able to write prescriptions when clinically appropriate. They can also refer a patient to follow-up care, if needed.  After the visit is complete, the patient will receive a visit summary that includes any treatment recommendations or follow-up care that is needed.  A visit summary will also be sent to the patient’s primary care provider (PCP) identified during enrollment.

MyEClinic is available to patients of all ages located in Washington State. However, patients with government-sponsored insurance, such as Medicaid or Tricare, are not eligible to use MyEClinic due to restrictions from those programs.  Medicare does not cover telemedicine services, but patients with Medicare can choose to pay out-of-pocket.

Skagit Regional Health partnered with Carena, Inc. in the development of MyEClinic. Carena, Inc is a Seattle-based organization founded by a physician in 2000 that provides telemedicine services for health care systems and businesses in multiple states. The providers who staff MyEClinic will be employed by Carena, Inc.

Learn More about MyEClinic by visiting their website by clicking  MyEClinic.org

About Skagit Regional Health: Skagit Regional Health includes Skagit Valley Hospital, Skagit Regional Clinics, Cascade Valley Hospital and Clinics. Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, licensed for 137 beds, features a full range of services including comprehensive cancer care, surgical services, a Level III Emergency Department, a well-appointed Family Birth Center; Comprehensive diagnostics; and advanced heart and vascular care. Skagit Regional Clinics is a network of 11 health care facilities providing primary and specialty outpatient care in Skagit, Island, and North Snohomish Counties.

Cascade Valley Hospital and Clinics includes the 48-bed acute care facility in Arlington, five associated clinics and a free-standing surgery center. Cascade Valley Hospital provides acute, critical care, general surgery, a level IV Emergency Department, and Family Birthing Center, plus a wide array of outpatient and diagnostic imaging services. Clinics include family practice offices in Darrington and Granite Falls along with Orthopedic, pediatric and women’s health practices in Arlington.

 

Information Provided by Kari Ranten, Director of Planning and Marketing for Skagit Valley Hospital and Skagit Regional Clinics via a press memo on July 22nd, 2016.