Verizon broadens mobile health offerings with new 'Virtual Visits'

NEW YORK — Verizon is expanding its mobile health solutions portfolio with the launch of its new Verizon Virtual Visits, which is designed to provide an easy, convenient and cost-effective way for patients to be seen remotely by a clinician for a cold, flu, sore throat or other simple, acute condition via video on their smartphone, tablet or computer.



"We are seeing a shift in how care is delivered in the United States. With Verizon Virtual Visits, patients and providers alike can benefit from the use of technology to provide medical care via an enterprise-class technology solution developed with the security, performance and reliability essential to healthcare delivery,” said Rich Black, VP healthcare practice for Verizon. "We believe our latest mobile health offering can go a long way to enable a more efficient and effective U.S. healthcare system.”



How it works: Patients can connect online with a clinician through an app on their smartphone or tablet, or via a Web portal. Once logged in, patients are taken through a set of health-related questions, followed by a discussion with a clinician, who evaluates the patient's condition and provides an appropriate care plan.



Clinicians also can use the platform to electronically send a prescription to the pharmacy of the patient's choosing, where legally permitted.



Data shared between the clinician and the patient is encrypted during the online visit, as well as afterward when the data is stored in Verizon's HIPAA-enabled Cloud.