Free option for those with symptoms

Prisma Health has made its new Virtual Visits free to anyone seeking care for potential COVID-19. Prisma Health Virtual Visits, which launched earlier this month, include a new on-demand video option in addition to the existing online visit option. To access the free virtual visits, use promo code COVID19. The video visit is available 24/7 for ages 3 and older. The online visit is for ages 18 and older. Online visits can be completed anytime, but responses are provided daily between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Prisma Health physicians urge patients to use the free virtual option to help ensure they are properly screened while also limiting risk of additional exposure to their communities and health care workers. “As health care providers, our goal is to assist our community in as many ways as we can,” said Dr. Scott Sasser, Prisma Health-Midlands acute care chief clinical officer. “We are pleased to add this free option as another important way to help the community deal with COVID19.” Dr. C. Wendell James III, chief clinical officer for Prisma Health-Upstate, added, “Most people who contract COVID-19 will have mild symptoms that don’t require treatment but this option is a way to help screen patients without possibly contaminating others. It’s imperative that our community members work together to protect the larger community.” Virtual Visit will continue to charge for conditions not related to COVID-19 such as cold, cough, flu, allergies, sinus pain, skin conditions, ear pain and urinary tract infections. Any needed prescriptions are sent directly to a pharmacy of the patient’s choice. The video visit is $49. The online visit is $20. Dr. Mark Weiss, vice president and chief health information executive at Prisma Health, said, “We want to care for people in the community whenever and wherever they need us. We’re developing new ways to successfully connect patients with providers and virtual care gives us another opportunity to do that.” To learn more about Virtual Visits or create an account, visit www.PrismaHealth.org/Virtual-Visit.