Virtual Care Services Expand to Pediatric Patients

Minor illnesses and injuries can strike without warning. When a doctor’s visit isn’t an option, virtual care—an online consultation with a medical provider—can provide a quick, convenient alternative.

In the past, Memorial Health System offered virtual care only to patients 18 and older. But with the recent transition from MemorialMD SmartVisit to the new MemorialNow app, these services are available for patients ages 1-17 who currently see a Memorial Physician Services provider.

“For busy families, an office visit can be inconvenient,” said Virginia Dolan, MD, a Memorial Physician Services pediatrician. “With MemorialNow, our young patients can get the treatment they need without leaving their homes, and can start feeling better faster.”

The MemorialNow app, accessible from a smartphone, tablet or laptop, asks patients to answer a series of questions about their symptoms and connects them with Memorial Physician Services providers who can diagnose their condition and create a treatment plan. Pediatric patients are linked to their parents’ MemorialNow accounts, enabling visits to be initiated quickly.

The service is available 24/7, and patients can expect a response within one hour between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., seven days a week. Patients who seek treatment outside those hours will hear from a provider the following morning.

Common childhood illnesses treatable using MemorialNow include cough and cold, croup, pink eye, rash, swimmer’s ear and sore throat. One of the benefits of MemorialNow, Dolan said, is that records of virtual visits can be added to children’s medical records and reviewed by their pediatricians.

In addition to pediatric patients who already see an MPS provider, MemorialNow is also open to all patients 18 and older—whether or not they use MPS for primary care.

Each MemorialNow visit costs $40, and the patient will not be charged if their condition cannot be treated virtually. If a prescription is required, the provider can have it sent to the pharmacy of the patient’s choice.

“Our goal is to ensure that quality healthcare is easily accessible,” Dolan said. “Although not every condition can be treated with an online visit, there are many minor illnesses and injuries that don’t require a face-to-face visit. MemorialNow is ideal for those situations.”

How to access MemorialNow

The MemorialNow app is available for download from the Apple Store and Google Play store. If you were a user of MemorialMD SmartVisit, you will not need to create a new account—your previous login information has been transferred to MemorialNow.

For more information, plus detailed instructions on how to download and use the MemorialNow app, visit MemorialNow.com.