Expert care, no office visit required
Virtual care lets you meet with your doctor by video call. You’ll get many of the same benefits as an in-office appointment but without having to travel. And scheduling to see a doctor online is easy — simply use MyChart or call your doctor’s office.
Virtual visits work well for:
- Primary care, including internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics and OB-GYN
- Specialty care across 20+ services
- Support for minor medical concerns
- Follow-up appointments
- Answers to health questions
- New prescriptions or refills
You must be physically located in the same state your provider practices in at the time of your appointment.
Starting your virtual visit
On the day of your appointment:
- Sign in to MyChart on your computer or smartphone 5 to 10 minutes before your appointment.
- Go to Visits and provide any required information.
- Select Begin Video Visit to enter the virtual waiting room until your provider joins.
Virtual care is not for serious or life-threatening concerns. If you need emergency care, call 911.
Virtual care FAQ
Phone visits work well for:
- Common concerns like colds, fevers and allergies
- Follow-up care for long-term problems
- Minor injuries
- Prescriptions and refills
- Test results
Video visits offer the same benefits as a phone visit but also include:
- Face-to-face meeting with your doctor
- Possibility of a visual exam (if an in-person exam isn’t needed)
- Chance to include a family member or friend
Virtual care can be used for many common conditions.
Infectious diseases:
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- COVID-19
- Influenza (flu)
- Sinus infections
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Yeast infections
Chronic conditions:
- Asthma
- Diabetes (monitoring glucose, blood pressure)
- Heartburn/GERD
Minor injuries and skin conditions:
- Acne, eczema, rashes
- Head lice, sunburn, swimmer’s ear
- Minor cuts, burns and scrapes
- Sports injuries (sprains, strains)
General illnesses:
- Cold and flu symptoms
- Fever, congestion, sneezing
- Headaches and migraines
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Ear, nose and throat:
- Earaches
- Motion sickness
- Sore throat
Other conditions:
- Joint pain
- Medication management and prescription refills
- Tick bites
Please note: Virtual care is not suitable for life-threatening emergencies like chest pain, stroke symptoms or severe allergic reactions.
Here are a few tips to help both you and your provider get the most out of your video visit:
- Join the virtual visit from somewhere with a strong internet connection.
- Make sure your computer, tablet or smartphone is well charged ahead of time.
- Choose a quiet, private area to avoid interruptions.
- Sit in a well-lit room and try to avoid windows in the background.
- Have your health plan ID card handy.
- Have a list of all the questions you want to ask.
- Write down all your prescriptions and any over-the counter medications you take regularly.
You can use your patient portal to:
- Send a message to your doctor.
- Ask for medication refills.
- Set up or request an appointment.
- See test results and your health records.
- Create an account for a caregiver or family member to help you.
Access to patient portals may vary by state.
Check with your primary care provider and local licensed insurance agent to see if this coverage is offered on your Medicare plan.
Virtual care providers can prescribe antibiotics for common infections, such as:
- Ear infections
- Sinus infections
- Skin infections
- Strep throat
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
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*You must be physically located in the same state your provider is practicing at the time of your appointment.
Optum Medical Care, P.C., Optum Medical Care of New Jersey, P.C. and Optum Urgent Care, PLLC (collectively “Optum Medical Care”) are physician-led organizations (the “Practice”). The Practice retains full authority over all medical decision-making and patient care. Optum provides administrative and clinical support services to the Practice. Optum does not control or direct the clinical judgment, methods, or standards of physicians or other licensed professionals. Where indicated, “Part of Optum” means the Practice is managed or owned, where permitted by law, by Optum and participates in Optum’s efforts to support physician practices in helping patients live healthier lives.
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