St. Vincent’s launches virtual clinic in Jacksonville
The service launched Thursday, said David Meyer, chief marketing and strategy officer for St. Vincent’s HealthCare.
Meyer said the service is a continuation of St. Vincent’s goal to expand access to health care services.
“Big picture for us, is to invest in a variety of more convenient, more accessible services that provide health care that better meets the community,” he said.
He said that 70 percent of people that use virtual health care options do not have a primary care physician, meaning that many times if a virtual clinic had not been available, the patient would have went to the emergency room, which is not a desired outcome since the cost structure of ERs are much higher than other options.
That, Meyer said, is also why St. Vincent’s is planning to open at least 10 St. Vincent’s Health Centers around Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia at a cost of $75 million.
“There are a much less costly solution to not only hospitals, but our competitor’s free standing emergency rooms in the market,” he said.
The cost for the virtual clinic is $49.99 to speak with a physician or nurse practitioner. Meyer said that other virtual clinics about 70 percent of people are able to receive care, with just 30 percent needing a referral to another health care provider.
People can receive health care services for a wide range of issues at these virtual clinics including: cough, sore throat, strep throat, eye infections, pink eye, upper respiratory infections, sinusitis and seasonal allergies, rashes and dermatitis, urinary tract infections, fever, colds, flu symptoms, bug bites and stings.
For more information, visit www.jaxhealth.com/services/st-vincents-on-demand-virtual-care/.