CVS Health is rolling out a new virtual health care offering for patients with minor illnesses and injuries, skin conditions and other wellness needs through the company’s MinuteClinic section of the CVS app. MinuteClinic Video Visits, a telehealth offering via Teledoc, will provide patients with access to health care services 24 hours a day, seven days a week from their mobile device.
A video visit can be used to care for patients ages 2 years and up who are seeking treatment for a minor illness, minor injury, or a skin condition. Each patient will complete a health questionnaire, then be matched to a board-certified health care provider licensed in their state, who will review the completed questionnaire with the patient’s medical history, and proceed with the video-enabled visit.
During a MinuteClinic Video Visit, the provider will assess the patient’s condition and determine the appropriate course of treatment following evidence-based clinical care guidelines. For patients who require a prescription as part of their treatment plan, the provider will submit the prescription to the patient’s preferred pharmacy. If it is determined the patient should be seen in person for follow-up care or testing, the provider will recommend that the patient visit a health care provider in their community, such as their primary care provider or a nearby MinuteClinic.
A MinuteClinic Video Visit costs $59, which is currently payable by credit card or debit card. Insurance coverage will be added to the experience in the coming months. The service is currently available in nine states – Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, New Hampshire and Virginia – and Washington D.C. and is expected to be available nationwide, where allowed, by the end of 2018.