Columbia, S.C. – Doctors Care P.A., South Carolina’s largest urgent care company, has developed and launched its own direct-to-consumer telemedicine platform to provide direct access to its doctors from a mobile device or computer. The program, called Doctors Care Anywhere, was launched in April. It lets patients receive care from board-certified providers using a secure video connection on a smartphone or computer.
Doctors Care will continue to grow its network of 55 brick-and-mortar urgent care centers around the state, but this online option expands patients’ access to its provider network. The launch of this direct-to-consumer program follows a successful two-year in-center telemedicine program that’s still used to minimize wait times in the company’s busiest locations.
The Doctors Care Anywhere platform is scalable to accommodate future growth outside the State, lightweight in structure to cleanly layer with existing clinical applications, and is HIPAA-compliant. Telemedicine patients can access records of their virtual visits through the patient portal at DoctorsCare.com, just as they can after a regular clinic visit.
Doctors Care providers staff the online network and practice in the centers. They can refer patients to brick-and-mortar locations for conditions that may require additional care – including lab tests and X-rays. Doctors Care and UCI Medical Affiliates, the non-medical management company for Doctors Care, worked with local South Carolina developers, Indesign Firm, and multinational Fortune 500 telecommunications company Cisco to develop their proprietary telemedicine platform and leverage existing infrastructure strengths.
“It was important to us to use local talent, and the best technology in the nation, to build a product that would represent the quality and consistency of the Doctors Care brand,” said David Boucher, president and COO of UCI Medical Affiliates. “This way, we can deliver a better value to our patients and providers. Our 35 years in the urgent care business have taught us to trust our own instincts, and we feel strongly about delivering the best possible experience to our customers.”
“Our patients want convenience and quality,” said Dr. Thomas Gibbons, chief medical officer and president of Doctors Care. “Doctors Care Anywhere gives patients more control by allowing them to see a doctor from wherever they are sitting, without interrupting their workday or having to make arrangements for child care to drive to a clinic. Time and health are valuable commodities. We want to make visits as fast and painless as possible — and provide the same quality care they would receive in one of our centers.”
Any person in South Carolina over the age of 18 can use Doctors Care Anywhere for treatment related to conditions like colds and sinus infections, UTIs, skin rashes, pink eye, acne, sore throats and upset stomach. Currently, payments are by credit card only, but it is a reimbursable medical expense for HSA, HRA or FSA accounts. To learn more, visit www.DoctorsCare.com/Anywhere.
About Doctors Care
Doctors Care, now celebrating its 35th year in business, is a leading health care organization focused on delivering exceptional and convenient urgent care, family care and occupational health services. Its original clinic, opened in Columbia in 1981, was the first urgent care center in South Carolina. Now, Doctors Care is one of the largest urgent care companies in the United States. Its network of 53 clinic locations continues to expand to serve patients who want quality health care that’s also convenient and reasonably priced. Doctors Care centers offer online check-in, flexible hours, on-site X-rays and laboratory services, telehealth access and more. Visit DoctorsCare.com to learn more.
About UCI Medical Affiliates
UCI Medical Affiliates, founded in Columbia, S.C., is celebrating its 35th year as a non-medical management company. It provides administrative support to its family of businesses, including Doctors Care, Progressive Physical Therapy and Doctors Wellness Center. These businesses serve patients and clients at approximately 80 freestanding urgent care and physical therapy clinics throughout South Carolina and Tennessee. UCI Medical Affiliates also manages employer on-site medical practices and related occupational health services. They emphasize quality care, cost-effective delivery and a close partnership with clients. Visit UCImedInc.com to learn more.