Salem Health Medical Clinic - Edgewater launched virtual care to a pilot group of patients on June 20. Salem Health employees and their covered dependents who are patients at the Edgewater clinic are eligible for the virtual care pilot. These patients can access e-visits and video visits through their MyChart accounts.
We hope the success of this pilot leads to more virtual care through Salem Health.
E-visits take patients through a symptom-specific questionnaire that a provider can assess and respond to within two business days. This type of visit is free. Video visits use internet-enabled video, microphone and audio to allow patients to interact in real time with providers, without physically travelling to the clinic. They are free for those insured on Moda's medical home plan or high-deductible plan, if the deductible has already been met. For those who haven't reached their deductible, a video visit is only $39.
Our growing and aging community means we need to adapt to new approaches. Virtual care can help meet the needs of lower acuity patients with more convenience and less expense.