5 Reasons to Try Virtual Care This Cold and Flu Season

If you start to feel symptoms, don't waste a precious minute sitting in the clinic or Urgent Care waiting room, instead consider a virtual care appointment from the comfort of your home.

If you've never tried a virtual care appointment, CentraCare offers three convenient options to bring care to you — primary care video visits, virtual urgent care and eClinic. Here are five reasons to give virtual care a try:

1. It's Easy

The number one reason patients state they like virtual care is convenience. Care is only a few clicks away, you can easily track your appointment details and instructions from your provider, and you have more choices for appointment times when you consider in-person and virtual. Plus, when the appointment can be done from the comforts of your home, office, car — really anywhere — there is no need to fight traffic, take off work or find childcare.

2. Multiple Virtual Options: Video Visit or 24/7 Online Consultations

Get care your way! Whether it's by video or you'd rather just submit your symptoms for an online diagnosis, there's a virtual option for you!

• In addition to your routine and preventive care appointments, your primary care provider can see you for acute and urgent care needs. Many primary care providers offer video visits for treatment of minor illnesses and injuries.
• When you can't get in to see your provider same day, Virtual Urgent Care provides same-day video appointments with trusted CentraCare Urgent Care providers.
• eClinic offers a quick and convenient way to get care from anywhere. Submit your online questionnaire and a CentraCare provider will review and respond within an hour. Appointments are available 24/7.

3. Costs Less Than an Emergency Room Visit

Virtual Care is fast and convenient, and it costs less than an Emergency Room visit. If you try a Virtual Urgent Care or eClinic visit and your provider determines you need to be seen in person to diagnose and treat your condition, you will not be charged for the visit.

4. Avoid the Waiting Rooms

Virtual care can easily fit into your busy schedule. Save the drive time to the clinic and avoid longer than normal wait times this time of year. And bonus, you reduce your exposure to waiting room infections.

5. Cold and Flu Symptoms Can be Easily Assessed During a Virtual Visit

Our trusted health care providers can review symptoms that you are experiencing to help determine your treatment plan. Questions about onset, muscle aches, chills and fatigue can all be reviewed virtually. You can even take your own temperature and your provider will add it to your chart. If you are diagnosed with the flu, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral drug that will be sent directly to your pharmacy.

Getting started with a virtual appointment is easy. Connect virtually with a CentraCare provider.

Just a reminder, this is a great time of year to get your flu and updated COVID-19 vaccines which are your best defense against respiratory virus season. Call 320-200-3200 to make an appointment.