UnityPoint Health launches telehealth clinic

CEDAR RAPIDS - UnityPoint Health now is offering virtual care via the phone or computer, joining the University of Iowa, which launched its telehealth clinic last week.

The health system has partnered with MDLive, a national network of board-certified telehealth doctors, to provide virtual care to people living in Iowa, Illinois and, starting in 2016, Madison, Wis.

Virtual visits, available 24 hours a day, are provided by UnityPoint Clinic and MDLive providers and cost about $50 depending on insurance coverage.

UnityPoint officials say the telehealth services are a convenient option for treating common conditions such as allergies, cold and flu, sinus infections, ear aches, rashes and urinary tract infections.

UnityPoint Clinic providers will staff consultations during daytime hours while MDLive will provide care overnight, the health system said.

To use the virtual care service, patients must complete a brief registration process that includes providing general information about their medical history, reason for requesting an appointment and credit card information for payment.

The virtual care system will verify the condition qualifies for a virtual appointment. If it does, a phone or video appointment is scheduled with a UnityPoint Clinic or MDLive provider. The provider will assess symptoms, recommend treatment and, if necessary, prescribe medication and send it to a local pharmacy.

The virtual care service is available to anyone, whether or not they are established with a UnityPoint Clinic doctor, officials said. Anyone who has a virtual visit will receive a completed form to submit to their insurance company for reimbursement if virtual care is covered by their health plan.