Imagine. You awaken at 3 a.m. in the throes of what feels like an ear infection. You trip on the way to your mailbox and make angels in the asphalt. Your child slides into home plate on Saturday afternoon and dislocates his elbow. Whom do you call and where can you go for care?
“Primary care doctors know their patients best and are best equipped to address most of their patients’ needs,” says Dr. Mark Carvalho, Chief Executive Officer of Montage Medical Group. “If it isn’t an emergency and you don’t need immediate attention, your primary care doctor’s office should be the first place you call, even if it’s after hours. They know your health history, current conditions, health goals, and other needs.”
“Our physician, nurse practitioner, and physician assistant recruitment efforts have been robust and successful,” Carvalho says, “and we’re continuing to recruit more doctors and advanced practice providers to meet our community’s need and increase access to care.”
Patients who think they are truly having a medical emergency need to go to the emergency department. For chest pain, trouble breathing, bleeding, symptoms of stroke, a kidney stone, or broken bones, the emergency department is the place to go. But for problems like a cough or sore throat, these routine issues can be managed by a primary care doctor, 24/7 eVisit, or MoGo.
— Dr. Mark Carvalho, Chief Executive Officer of Montage Medical Group
24/7 eVisit: Your own personal doctor
For patients who can’t miss time from work, face challenges with transportation, or don’t have a primary care doctor, access to care is just a smartphone away for many minor health issues.
Montage Health’s 24/7 eVisit service is available to anyone for a flat fee of $25 or less, regardless of insurance coverage. The service can address issues that don’t require an in-person examination such as allergies, skin problems, urinary tract infections, respiratory symptoms, mild digestive issues like constipation and diarrhea, and mild muscle pain like low back pain.
Patients can receive a diagnosis, treatment plan, prescription, or, if needed, a referral, all from the comfort of their home — or anywhere — using a computer or mobile device. During an eVisit, patients complete an online questionnaire about their symptoms, and within 10 minutes to 1 hour, they receive a response from a healthcare provider.
Fast and friendly urgent care
“We currently are seeing around 4,000 patients a month among our three clinics,” says Chris Stegge, Chief Operating Officer of MoGo Urgent Care. “We can provide X-rays on site, lab work, rapid tests for strep throat, flu, COVID-19, and pregnancy, and provide a test for urinary tract infections. And we can help you get to the next level of care, if necessary.”
When in doubt, go to the nearest emergency department
“Patients who think they are truly having a medical emergency need to go to the emergency department,” Carvalho says. “For chest pain, trouble breathing, bleeding, symptoms of stroke, a kidney stone, or broken bones, the emergency department is the place to go. But for problems like a cough or sore throat, these routine issues can be managed by a primary care doctor, 24/7 eVisit, or MoGo.”
