March 17, 2020

Coronavirus/COVID-19 Update from FIRST CARE MEDICAL CLINIC| Telehealth Visits Now Available| Get Primary Care, Behavioral Wellness & Nutrition Services from Home

As the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic continues to evolve, our priority at First Care Medical Clinic is the health and safety of our patients. We are responding in a serious manner to all guidance from our public health officials recommending social distancing. Our number-one goal is to continue to care for our patients in a safe and effective manner.

We recommend all patients with mild or moderate respiratory illness stay home and contact us through a Televisit using the Healow App, secured message or phone.

 If you're advised to come to the office due to respiratory symptoms, please take advantage of the face mask (just inside the door of our offices) and sanitize your hands with hand sanitizer. The face mask prevents you from spreading droplets from a cough, sneeze or runny nose. If there is any concern that you have COVID-19, we will ask you to wait in a separate area (or your personal vehicle) until it’s time for your appointment.

All chairs in our waiting rooms are now separated by six feet to be consistent with the CDC’s recommendation for social distancing. If you do not have respiratory symptoms (cough, running nose, sneezing), please DO NOT take a face mask.

Telehealth Visits Now Available to All New and Established Patients

First Care Medical Clinic is now offering telehealth to all new and established patients. Telehealth - using your home computer, smartphone or tablet with a camera and secure internet connection - is the preferred method to conduct a visit with your First Care Medical Clinic provider.

You may now see your First Care Medical Clinic provider virtually. BlueCross BlueShield NC, Medicare, Aetna and UnitedHealthcare cover telehealth visits. Self-pay options are available.

Telehealth is appropriate to evaluate mild and most moderate illnesses, including concerns about infection with COVID-19. A telehealth visit is also appropriate to manage ongoing health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression.

Cough, runny nose, and fever? Suspect you’ve been exposed to COVID-19? Please inform us and use a face mask as you come into the clinic.

Book your telehealth visit here

**After making your appointment using the Healow App, you’ll receive a call from First Care Medical Clinic to confirm that your appointment will be telehealth, rather than in-person. You’ll be asked to sign a consent form prior to your visit.

What Telehealth Means for You and Your Loved Ones

You may now see your provider using your home computer, smartphone or tablet (with a camera and secure internet connection).

Here are a few health concerns that can be addressed during your telehealth/virtual visit:

• Sore throat • Cough • Fever • Cold and flu symptoms • Urinary tract infection • Headache • Allergies • Rash & other minor skin conditions • Pain in back, neck, or limbs • Contraception • Chronic condition follow-ups (e.g. depression, ADD, high blood pressure and diabetes)

DOWNLOAD THE HEALOW APP TO BEGIN YOUR TELEVISIT JOURNEY.