IU Health has refreshed its virtual visits app, facilitating 17-hour daily telehealth access to improve healthcare across Indiana. The app connects patients directly with providers through their phones.
Expanded Access and Service Coverage
The enhanced virtual visits platform operates seven days a week, providing medical care from 6 AM to 11 PM EST for Indiana residents aged two years and older [1]. The service accepts a broad range of insurance providers, including major carriers such as Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, and Medicare, with a self-pay option available at $59 per visit [1]. This digital transformation enables patients to receive care for various conditions, including acid reflux, allergies, asthma, COVID-19, and skin rashes, though certain emergency conditions like bone breaks and severe burns require in-person care [1].
Integration with Electronic Health Records
The virtual platform’s enhancement coincides with IU Health’s broader digital healthcare initiatives, including the recent implementation of standardized goals of care documentation in electronic health records (EHRs). This integration has already impacted 944 patients in its first year of implementation [3]. The system particularly benefits from telehealth services in delivering palliative care across Indiana, where access to specialized clinicians may be limited [3].
Streamlined Patient Experience
Patients can easily access services through the new IU Health Virtual Visits app or website enrollment system, replacing the discontinued IU Health Telemedicine platform [1]. Virtual consultations typically last approximately 10 minutes, resulting in diagnosis and treatment instructions when appropriate [1]. The system also facilitates prescription services, with medications sent directly to the patient’s preferred pharmacy, though antibiotics are prescribed judiciously to prevent resistance [1].
Future Healthcare Delivery
The platform offers various virtual visit options, including regular consultations, follow-up appointments, pre and post-operation visits, triage services, and medication reviews [1]. This comprehensive approach to virtual healthcare delivery represents a significant step forward in IU Health’s commitment to accessible healthcare, supported by technical assistance available through their dedicated support line [1].
