There are many reasons why you may want to speak with a health care provider for non-emergency conditions: colds, fevers, allergies, sore throats, ear infections, and more.
But sometimes, circumstances may not allow for a visit to an urgent care or a provider’s office. With this in mind, Rochester Regional Health is now offering ExpressCare: access to a virtual visit with a health care provider, seven days a week, wherever you are.
How ExpressCare works
Anyone can request an ExpressCare visit by using MyCare – the online portal for Rochester Regional patients. If you do not have an account, you can create one on the Rochester Regional Health website.
To set up an appointment, follow the steps below:
1. Log in
Enter your login information into Rochester Regional Health’s MyCare App on an Apple or Android device or using the MyCare website on a desktop computer.
2. Request a video visit
Once logged in, choose ‘On Demand Video Visit – RRH Express Care’ from the main menu. From here, you will be asked to provide your:
- Location
- Reason for a visit
- Type of visit (general video visit or TytoCare video visit)
- Device
3. Wait for a provider
Each patient is placed in a virtual queue for the next available health care provider with Rochester Regional Health. Before scheduling the visit, you will be asked to provide a brief description of your most important concerns.
4. Select notification method
You can choose to be notified that a provider is ready through a text message or an email.
Once these steps are completed, you can click or tap ‘Schedule’ and a provider will contact you when they are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I schedule a visit?
Providers are available through ExpressCare seven days a week. Virtual visits can be requested Monday through Friday from 9 am until 9 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 9 am until 5 pm.
Are there any age restrictions?
Currently, the service is available for patients ages 2-11 and 18+. Patients between the ages of 12 and 17 will be limited to scheduled video visits for now.
How much does an ExpressCare visit cost?
Visits conducted through ExpressCare will be billed to the patient’s insurance as a telemedicine visit. Check with your insurance provider about telemedicine health care coverage to see what your individual plan covers.
“Think of ExpressCare as a virtual urgent care,” said Eric Wilcox, DO, a family medicine physician with Rochester Regional Health. “If you need care from home or are unable to come to another location, this service is designed with you in mind.”
Using TytoCare
Rochester Regional Health offers an additional tool to enhance your virtual medical care. The TytoCare Medical Exam Kit is an FDA-cleared medical kit, allowing providers to guide patients through medical exams in real-time video visits from anywhere, including in their own homes.
The portable kit comes with high-quality instruments and devices that allow a provider to see down the throat, in the ears, listen to the heart and lung sounds, and take temperature and vital signs.
Once a patient opens the TytoCare app and links it to Wi-Fi, the medical exam kit can assist providers in virtually guiding users to a diagnosis and treatment for many common conditions.
“Within just a few minutes, a health care provider will usually be able to assess the sounds and readings, offer a diagnosis, and prescribe a treatment – all from the comfort of your own home,” Dr. Wilcox said.
Most insurance plans cover TytoCare visits in the same manner as a telehealth visit. Check with your insurance provider to determine the specific cost related to your individual plan.
The TytoCare Medical Exam Kit is currently available for purchase by patients through Rochester Regional Health.
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