By Sue Sveum
When you or a loved one are feeling sick or get injured — especially on a weekend or after hours when a clinic visit with your primary care provider isn’t possible — is your first thought to search online for symptoms? Or head to an urgent care?
SSM Health has another option, and you don’t have to be an SSM Health patient to use it. SSM Health Express Virtual Care (EVC) offers the choice of discussing your specific concerns with an SSM Health provider by video or e-visit message. And the best part? It can be done without leaving home.
Jamie Olson, above, a mother of three from Brodhead, loves the ease of EVC. When her toddler developed pink eye while the family was out of town over a holiday, she tried EVC for the first time — and it won’t be her last.
“I signed up for an SSM Health e-visit, submitted photos of my toddler’s pink eye, and got the prescription for her in less than an hour,” she says.
“And the out-of-pocket cost was only $39 — much cheaper than a co-pay for my family’s in-network provider.”
Physician assistant Kia Mills says Olson’s experience is an example of an occasion to use EVC.
“It’s still important to see your regular provider for your annual wellness visit, including labs, screening tests and immunizations,” she says. “But EVC is here to help with more pressing concerns.”
These include:
- allergies
- upper respiratory conditions — including colds, cough, flu, fever or sore throat
- urinary tract infections
- minor rashes
- insect stings or bites
- minor aches, pains, infections
- minor cuts, scrapes, burns
- minor sprains and strains
“EVC is wonderful for quick sick visits like these,” says SSM Health Nurse Practitioner Kristin Grossman, adding, “We’re basically a virtual urgent care.”
Whether you choose an e-visit or video visit, you’ll start by creating a login or opening your MyChart account. Hours for both options are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. And with either option, there’s no charge if your health concern can’t be resolved.
Here’s the breakdown.
Video Visit
This option lets you quickly connect with an SSM Health provider by video. It’s especially helpful in providing visual input to see patients and view concerns such as sprains or rashes.
How it works:
- Answer a few quick questions about symptoms and choose to be notified by text or email when a provider is ready to see you. Connect with a provider via video chat.
- Cost is $59 or less, depending on your insurance.
- Wait times to connect on average are 20 minutes (during operating hours).
E-Visit
For this option, simply fill out an online form and receive a treatment plan from an SSM Health provider. Users can upload photos.
How it works:
- Fill out a short online questionnaire addressing minor medical concerns and symptoms. Once received, you’ll get an email from an SSM Health provider detailing your treatment plan along with any suggested prescription or follow-up that’s needed.
- Cost is $39.
- Wait time for a response from a provider is less than an hour (during operating hours).
“My e-visit was a very efficient, cost-effective and user-friendly process,” says Olson, adding she’d use it again — and recommend it to others.
“Not only was I able to get help over a holiday from out of town, when I got the prescription so quickly, I was very pleased that my toddler could feel better fast.”
“EVC is a great patient-centric service for patients and families to seek care in the comfort of home without having to wait in urgent care,” agrees Mills. “We know that everyone’s time is valuable — and we strive to provide the highest level of care and service.”
She adds that although EVC providers will see or respond to any patient who initiates a video or e-visit, there are cases when a patient may be referred for in-person visit. For example, if a patient needs to have their lungs listened to or their ears checked for an infection — or if a patient’s condition is concerning or worsening, they’ll need to be seen by an in-person provider.
“Our goal is to keep patients home,” says Grossman, “but we also want to keep patients safe — and ensure they receive the best care possible.”
If you’re not physically at home when initiating a video visit or e-visit, that’s OK.
“We’re happy to serve patients almost anywhere,” says Grossman. “We’ve seen patients lying in bed, in their car, on break and even waiting in an ER or urgent care when they call.” The only restriction is that, in keeping with state regulations, EVC users must be within an SSM Health service area — Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri or Oklahoma — when using the service.
For EVC patients worried or anxious when they initiate an e-visit, just having that real-time connection with a local SSM Health provider can make a huge difference.
“They’re able to speak with us and obtain treatment or medications quickly,” say Mills.
“It’s very rewarding.”
Meet the Provider: Kristin Grossman, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
The oldest of six kids, SSM Health Nurse Practitioner Kristin Grossman was originally drawn to pediatrics. However, Grossman wanted to serve more people, so she became certified in family medicine. She never looked back.
“Family is so important, and I consider it a blessing to serve so many families in their time of need — no matter their issue or age,” she says.
That’s why, with virtual care becoming more common after COVID, Express Virtual Care seemed like the perfect fit for this mom of four.
“I truly love serving patients this way,” she says, “and feel grateful as a provider to have the best work-life balance.”
Meet the Provider: Kia Mills, PA-C
With more than a decade of experience in both family medicine and urgent care under her belt, Physician Assistant Kia Mills finds SSM Health’s Express Virtual Care the ideal combination of both.
“I’ve always enjoyed family medicine and working with patients at every stage of life,” explains Mills, who splits her time between virtual and in-clinic work. “I love getting to know my clinic patients and helping them stay well.”
But, she says virtual care offers its own rewards.
“It’s really nice to help patients in times of illness or injury to get care right from the comfort of their own homes,” says Mills.
Preparing for Your Express Virtual Care Visit
When using SSM Health’s Express Virtual Care, you’ll want to gather some information in advance so you can accurately complete the e-visit questionnaire or pre-video questions so providers have the information they need to offer you the best care.
For video visits, find a quiet, private location with a strong internet connection for your visit.
What to have ready:
- For established patients with MyChart, be sure your MyChart information is updated and correct when registering for a video visit.
- For patients without a MyChart account, be ready to create one.
- Test your microphone and internet connection prior to the visit (you’ll be prompted to do this).
- If the patient is under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must be present for the visit and know the patient’s current weight.
- Have your preferred pharmacy name and location ready in case a prescription is needed.
