UAB eMedicine
offers two online urgent care options for minor illnesses or those common conditions that pop up now and again. These options allow a patient to avoid the line at the doctor’s office or emergency department and get a diagnosis — and appropriate treatment — in a hurry.
“Over the past two and a half years, we’ve seen how valuable and effective telemedicine has become,” said Eric Wallace, M.D., medical director for Telehealth at UAB Medicine. “With a surge in flu cases along with other respiratory illnesses, our online urgent care offerings provide a fast, safe and convenient way for patients to quickly get the medical help they need.”
The two online urgent care options are designed for relatively common conditions such as cold/flu, sinus infection, stomach issues, female bladder infection, pink eye, low back pain, skin conditions, and more.
The first option is an online questionnaire, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Patients complete a short online interview detailing symptoms and other pertinent information. The questionnaire is then reviewed by UAB Medicine health care providers. A diagnosis and recommended treatment plan will be provided, usually within an hour during normal business hours, or early the following morning for an off-hours submission. Prescriptions, if necessary, will be filed directly with a patient’s preferred pharmacy. The cost for this option is $25, and patients must be at least 18 years old.
The second option, an urgent care video visit, is for those desiring more personal interaction. Patients can go online to request to speak to a provider face to face via video, without an appointment. Wait time for the video visit is usually under 10 minutes. In most cases, the provider will be able to evaluate symptoms, make a diagnosis and suggest a treatment plan. Prescriptions can be sent to a patient’s pharmacy within minutes. This option costs $59, and patients must be at least 18 years old.
Go to UAB eMedicine to access either the online questionnaire option or the urgent care video visit.