Welcome to CHPW Virtual Care: The doctor will see you now, really!
It’s not always easy to get to see a doctor when you want to. Community Health Plan of Washington’s CHPW Virtual Care service lets you talk with a licensed doctor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week … even when your clinic or regular doctor’s office is closed. The cost for a virtual medical visit is the same as for an in-person visit.
CHPW Virtual Care
Virtual Care, also known as telehealth or telemedicine, is the use of communications technologies (like mobile phones and live video) by medical providers to deliver care to you.
That means instead of waiting and worrying, you can visit with a doctor within minutes, without having to leave your home.
How it works
- Check to see if the Community Health Center clinic or primary care doctor you usually go to offers Virtual Care. If they do, they will tell you how to set up your virtual care appointment.
- If your provider doesn’t offer telehealth and you can’t make it to the clinic or doctor’s office, then you can use CHPW Virtual Care by choosing one of the following options:
- On a computer go to: chpwvirtualcare.org and register or login as instructed.
- If you are using an Apple mobile phone:
- Tap the App Store app on your Home screen.
- Browse or search for the “CHPW Virtual Care” app and download it. Open the app and register or login as instructed to schedule an appointment.
- If you are using an Android mobile phone:
- Open Google Play.
- Browse or search for the “CHPW Virtual Care” app and download it. Open the app and register or login as instructed to schedule an appointment.
- You can either schedule a visit for a set time or you can request an “as soon as possible” visit. Have your CHPW insurance information ready. A licensed doctor from CHPW Virtual Care will connect with you by phone or video.
- There is no time limit on your Virtual Care session. Length depends on the medical issue you’re dealing with.
Need Help? If you are unsure if CHPW Virtual Care is the right route, you can always call CHPW’s 24/7 Nurse Advice line at 1-866-418-2920 (TTY: Dial 711) for assistance. For Virtual Care technical support, please call 1-855-994-6777 or e-mail [email protected].
Virtual Care costs you $0
The CHPW Virtual Care service is included as part of your CHPW Apple Health (Medicaid) coverage. There are no copays and no billing surprises.
There is also no charge if you need to cancel or reschedule a CHPW Virtual Care appointment.
When should I use Virtual Care?
You should see a CHPW Virtual Care doctor only for non-emergency illnesses. Our Nurse Advice Line, powered by CHPW, can help you decide if you should go to urgent care or the hospital or see a Virtual Care doctor. And, always, if you have a medical emergency, call 911.
The CHPW Virtual Care doctor does not make referrals to specialists or other providers. The doctor can fax notes about your visit to your Primary Care Provider if you want to follow up.
What can a CHPW Virtual Care doctor help with?
CHPW Virtual Care doctors can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medicine for a wide range of common illnesses and non-emergency medical issues including:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Bladder Infections
- Bronchitis
- Cough/cold
- Diarrhea
- Earache
- Flu
- Headache
- Nausea
- Pink eye
- Rash
- Sinus problems
- Sore throat
- Upset stomach
CHPW Virtual Care doctors can prescribe medications if they think it’s necessary. Prescriptions are sent electronically or by phone to the network pharmacy of your choice. The medicines can be also be delivered to you by mail if your pharmacy provides mail-order service for CHPW members.
Read more about your prescription benefit on our Prescription Coverage page.
Getting the most out of your Virtual Care visit
Virtual care is making it possible for doctors to provide important care outside the four walls of the doctor’s office.
Here are five tips for making your telemedicine visit a good one:
Talk to your provider about virtual care.
Connect with your doctor or provider to find out if they offer virtual care visits, and the hours offered. Many Community Health Centers, primary care doctors, specialists, and behavioral health providers in Washington offer virtual care.
Set up the right environment for your virtual care visit.
During the virtual appointment, you will talk with your health care provider like you normally would in a doctor’s office. To re-create that space as much as possible, find a private and quiet place where you have good reception. If you are using video, test your connection before the session.
Prepare for your virtual care appointment.
Write down the topics you would like to address beforehand. A list will help you not forget anything important. If you are speaking to a virtual care doctor who is not your primary doctor, prepare a list of ongoing conditions and medicines you are currently taking.
Use at-home tools to assess your health.
If you have a medical device in your home, like a thermometer, scale, or blood pressure monitor/cuff, let your doctor know. All these health tools can come in handy depending on your symptoms and help your doctor diagnose your condition. You can also use your phone to take a photo of physical symptoms, like a rash, and send it to your doctor.
Remember, emergencies are emergencies, even during COVID-19.
If you are having severe or sudden, life-threatening symptoms like chest pain or difficulty breathing, always call 911.
