What is virtual care?
Virtual care enables patients to receive medical care and guidance from the location of their choice. Patients connect with their health care providers through video or phone appointments and other remote communications.
Virtual care is NOT for medical emergencies. For medical emergencies, please call 9-1-1.
What’s the difference between virtual care and telemedicine?
Virtual care refers to the different ways health care providers can interact with their patients remotely. Virtual care may involve patients and providers connecting through:
- Live video appointments on a patient’s computer, tablet or smart phone
- Speaking on the phone for a medical appointment
- Texting, emailing, or instant messaging between appointments
Telemedicine (also called telehealth) is when a provider delivers medical care or guidance to a patient during a video or phone virtual visit. Telemedicine is one component of virtual care.
What virtual care options does Mass General Brigham offer?
Whether it's an unexpected illness or injury, a first-time consultation about a procedure, or a follow-up appointment, our specialists are here to care for you. Doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and more offer virtual visits.
Our virtual care services include:
How does virtual care work?
You may schedule phone or video appointments for urgent or long-term health needs. If you have a phone, laptop, tablet or computer, we’re here to deliver the care you need from the location of your choice. On the day of your appointment, you log onto your device or call your health care provider to meet.
Virtual care offers flexibility to manage care in a way that’s convenient for you. You may choose to use one or more forms of virtual care for medical appointments. Or you may choose a combination of virtual care and in-person office visits. Your provider can help you plan the best approach for your health needs.
Here’s how our virtual care options work:
- Virtual urgent care: Established Mass General Brigham patients with urgent health needs can connect with a provider through a secure, interactive video visit on their tablet, smart phone, or computer from 7 a.m. - 11 p.m., 7 days a week. This service is for adults and children ages 3 and older. Anyone under the age of 18 will need to be accompanied by an adult.
- Virtual visits for primary and specialty care. Many of our providers offer virtual visits through Patient Gateway. You can access world-class Mass General Brigham care though your phone or video without having to travel to one of our physical locations. Call your provider to see if they offer virtual visits.
- Online second opinions. One of our health care providers reviews your diagnosis or treatment plan online. They address any questions or concerns you may have about next steps in your care.
What are the advantages of virtual care?
We help established or new patients stay on track with medical care that’s tailored to their needs. Through virtual visits, our health care providers can:
- Address a new medical concern (like an injury or changes in health)
- Follow up on a specific health condition to help manage it
- Review or order lab work, imaging or test results
- Answer questions about a medication or therapy, order a new medication, or refill a prescription
- Discuss an upcoming procedure or surgery
- Provide a second opinion for a medical condition
Caregivers, family members, and others can join your virtual visit from your location or remotely from another location.