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NYC Health + Hospitals’ Virtual ExpressCare Introduces “Save My Spot” Function, Broadens Range of Services on Platform
Mar 03, 2021
NYC Health + Hospitals today announced the launch of a new feature on its Virtual ExpressCare platform. The new “Save My Spot” feature allows patients in need of virtual urgent care to reserve an appointment to see a doctor up to 72 hours in advance. NYC Health + Hospitals’ Virtual ExpressCare has also broaden the range of services offered to patients from the comfort of their homes. Eligible patients can now receive evaluations for monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19. The new functions and more services offered through the public health system’s virtual ExpressCare platform builds on the system’s commitment to bring convenient, comprehensive care to all New Yorkers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Virtual ExpressCare is another example of how the public health system is ensuring every door to care is kept open for all New Yorkers, which is critical considering the COVID-19 pandemic we continue to fight,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Senior Vice President and Chief Quality Officer Eric Wei, MD, MBA. “We’re committed to providing comprehensive, high-quality, affordable care, that is also convenient. Understanding the busy lives New Yorkers live, functions like “Save My Spot” shows we’re thinking of potential obstacles faced every day to get non-emergency ailments evaluated.”
To access the “Save My Spot” function, patients can now use the button by the same name on expresscare.nyc and then select their preferred time for an urgent care appointment. After their reservation is made, patients will receive a text message or email message with a link so they can join the care session at their preferred time, reducing any wait time to see a doctor and accommodating the visit around busy schedules.
New Yorkers may be eligible for a monoclonal antibody treatment evaluation with a positive COVID-19 test, mild to moderate symptoms, and a high-risk to progress to severe COVID-19 symptoms or hospitalization. If eligible for the treatment after seeing an ExpressCare provider, patients will have an appointment booked to receive the infusion treatment at a nearby NYC Health + Hospitals facility. The service brings equitable access to all New Yorkers, without exception, helping people testing positive for COVID-19 fight the virus.
New Yorkers who need to talk to a provider for urgent health issues can connect to a NYC Health + Hospitals emergency medicine provider for an evaluation within minutes. To access the service, patients can go to expresscare.nyc from any web browser on their computer, phone, or tablet device with a camera. No apps or downloads are needed to use Virtual ExpressCare and the service offers live in-screen interpretation services in over 200 languages, including American Sign Language. Virtual ExpressCare agents can also help eligible New Yorkers enroll in health insurance or NYC Care at the time of the visit. Patients can call 631-EXP-Care (631-397-2273) for a phone-only care option. Virtual ExpressCare hours are currently seven days a week, 9AM-9PM.
NYC Health + Hospitals launched its ExpressCare offering in 2018. ExpressCare is encouraged for people with non-life-threatening health concerns, such as mild COVID-19 or flu symptoms, sprains and strains, pink eye, or skin issues. Approximately 40,000 in-person sessions have been completed since September 2018. NYC Health + Hospitals’ Virtual ExpressCare has completed over 8,000 sessions since April 2020. Twenty-five percent of uninsured people who have engaged with the service have been able to become NYC Care members at point of care, or enrolled into health insurance.
To learn more about the system’s ExpressCare offering, or to find a location near you, please visit https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/services/expresscare/.