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Virtual Visits

What is a Virtual Visit?

With a Virtual Visit, you can meet with your Franklin General Hospital primary care provider through a secure video chat without ever leaving the comfort and safety of your home. Virtual Visits, also known as telehealth or Zoom visits, are easy to do and your care team can walk you through the steps.

Virtual Visits are conducted on a secure, HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliant audio and video call,  safeguarding your protected health information. The Virtual Visit experience is similar to a Skype or Facetime call. Franklin General Hospital uses a video conferencing software called Zoom, which is designed specifically for health care interactions. 

During virtual appointments, providers can prescribe or adjust medications, review test results, coordinate additional treatment options and assess whether further care is needed and much more. 

What equipment do I need for the Virtual Visit?

  • You will need a working smartphone, tablet or laptop with a camera and speaker. You will be directed to download an application to make the video connection.
  • Ability to download Zoom, a free, HIPAA-compliant application. This will require access to the internet, either via broadband or a 4G/LTE cell phone network sufficient for streaming audio and video calls, like Facetime or Skype.
  • A valid/usable email address is preferred, as you will receive an email invite for your appointment. 

What happens during a Virtual Visit?

You will receive an appointment invitation from your provider. Click on the link provided in the appointment invitation, and you will enter the health care provider’s Virtual Waiting Room, where you can test your audio and video quality before your visit starts. Once your health care provider joins the visit, you and your provider will hear and see each other via the software and the video screen, and your provider will conduct your visit. Please see this page for step-by-step instructions, plus, check out the how-to video below.

Are you recording my visit?

No. Visit recordings and photographs are prohibited.

Can my provider prescribe medications during my Virtual Visit?

Yes, your health care provider may prescribe medications, if deemed appropriate for your care.

Are Virtual Visits covered by insurance?

Virtual Visits, also referred to as telehealth, are covered by insurance including Medicare and Medicaid during the COVID-19 crisis. A co-pay may apply based upon the coverage plan. Virtual Visits can be appropriate as a follow-up visit for an acute condition, medication management for chronic conditions, reviewing test results and other types of visits in which close physical examination is not needed. To determine your financial responsibility, please contact your healthcare insurer directly.