It seems like everything can be done online, doesn't it? Healthcare is no different. Quality medical care is available at the touch of your keyboard, and online care from a doctor can offer convenience and peace of mind for parents with children.
Accessing medical advice and consultations from the comfort of your home can be especially helpful when your child falls ill outside regular office hours or if you have difficulty making it to a physical clinic.
Why use an online doctor?
Online doctors provide a quick and efficient way to address concerns about your child's health, receive timely guidance on symptoms, and even obtain prescriptions if needed. This accessible option can save you time, reduce the stress of managing appointments, and ensure your child receives the care they need promptly.
Where can I book a virtual appointment with a doctor?
Many telehealth companies offer care with or without insurance. Blueberry Pediatrics is a great option if you're looking for doctors specializing in children's health. Blueberry Pediatrics, one of the largest pediatric medical practices in the US, offers 24/7 access to board-certified pediatricians for many common conditions and illnesses via text, phone, or video visits - with no appointment or insurance coverage needed!
What can an online doctor do?
Families can access a wide range of services with virtual healthcare, from general consultations and advice to specific treatment plans for their child's condition (including prescriptions, if necessary). Some conditions treated by doctors at Blueberry include:
- Common cold
- Influenza
- Sinus Infections
- Rashes
- Pink eye
- Ear infections
- Urinary tract infections
Our doctors can also answer general questions (no question is too big or too small), plus offer advice and guidance on breastfeeding, milestones, sleeping, and more.
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How do online doctor visits work?
As with any medical appointment, first, the doctor will talk with you about your child's past medical history, any medications they take, and current symptoms they're experiencing. From there, they can give you a diagnosis and treatment plan or refer your child for an inpatient appointment for further testing or blood work.
Do I need any tools at home for a virtual visit?
Some tools can improve virtual visits, but whether or not you need additional tools depends on the virtual healthcare service you use! For example, if you sign up for Blueberry Pediatrics, your family will receive a three-piece medical kit allowing our pediatricians to diagnose various issues. The medical kit includes an otoscope, pulse oximeter, and oral thermometer. Read our Frequently Asked Questions for a more comprehensive list of the conditions we treat, plus answers to many other common questions.
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What can't an online doctor do?
Families should not use telemedicine for emergencies. If you're ever concerned you're dealing with something urgent, you should go to urgent care or an emergency room (or call 911, as appropriate).
Additionally, virtual doctor's visits cannot be used for:
- Well checks
- Vaccines
- School or sports physicals
- X-rays
- Referrals to specialists
Although some blood or laboratory work (home strep testing or urinalysis) can be reviewed by a virtual provider, you will likely be referred for an in-person visit if a condition requires more workup.
Does an online doctor replace my primary care physician?
No. Virtual care should not replace your primary care doctor - especially for growing children who need regular well-checks, school or sports physicals, and vaccines. These should be done in the doctor's office, where they can check vitals, monitor growth parameters, and perform a full in-person physical exam.
Can you get doctor's notes from an online doctor?
Yes! After your virtual visit, the doctor can write notes necessary to dismiss you from work and/or school.
Can online doctors write prescriptions?
Most of them can prescribe medications, if necessary, based on their diagnosis of your child's condition.
Can you chat with an online doctor anytime, day or night?
This depends on which doctor you've found or the app you're using, but many offer 24/7 options. Many places offer the option to chat online or text a board-certified doctor to address some concerns first to see if an appointment is necessary.
Chat with board-certified doctors 24/7 with Blueberry Pediatrics
You can chat with board-certified pediatricians about your child's symptoms anytime with Blueberry Pediatrics. Blueberry offers text, phone, or video care from compassionate, board-certified pediatricians 24/7. Receive a diagnosis and treatment guidance (including prescribed medication, if medically necessary) from the comfort of your home.
The best part? An entire year of Blueberry membership costs less than the typical copay of a single urgent care visit, and one membership covers all children in your household! It's like having a doctor's office in your house. Sign up here to chat with a pediatrician right away.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do virtual visits offer the same quality care I could get in person?
Yes! You can see a doctor online for many concerns in the comfort of your own home. These board-certified doctors offer the high-quality care you deserve and expect.
Does my insurance cover online doctor visits?
Many insurance companies do cover telehealth. You may still have to pay your co-pay, but it could be cheaper than an in-person visit.
If you decide to join Blueberry Pediatrics, we do not accept insurance. However, families pay one low monthly or annual fee plus a one-time fee for their home medical kit. There are no per-child fees, per-visit fees, after-hours fees, or copays; no matter how much you use Blueberry or how many kids you have, you'll never be charged any additional fees.
Can I get a prescription refill online?
Yes! You can get prescriptions for current or new conditions if the doctor finds that you need one. They'll send a prescription to your local pharmacy, and you can pick it up at your convenience.
Blueberry Pediatricians will happily write new prescriptions for conditions they diagnose if medically necessary. If a family needs a prescription refill, they will fulfill the request in a pinch at their discretion. However, medications for chronic conditions should be managed by your child's primary care doctor or specialist.
What kind of symptoms can be seen online?
This is dependent on the service. Typically, your child can be seen for many non-emergency conditions like the common cold, flu, sinus infections, and pink eye. Blueberry Pediatrics members can be seen for even more conditions and illnesses like strep throat (requires a rapid strep test which a pediatrician can prescribe) and ear infection (requires in-ear picture/video which can be taken using the otoscope in the at-home medical kit).
Can my child see a mental health doctor online?
Some services offer online behavioral and mental health services. However, it is important to note that these should not be used for emergencies or severe mental health issues. In those cases, seek immediate help from your child's primary care doctor or specialist.
What technology do I need to have for a virtual visit?
Depending on your service, you may need a computer or smartphone with voice, video, and/or texting capabilities. Your virtual visit may occur over video, which is especially helpful for certain issues with physical symptoms, such as rashes. Other visits may occur via text or phone, and the pediatrician may ask for photos of the condition. Depending on the state that you live in, a video call may be required by law.
Can I see board-certified doctors online instead of going to urgent care?
If your child isn't experiencing an emergency, skipping urgent care is a great, money-saving option. However, it's important to note that telehealth visits should not be used for emergencies. If your child needs care immediately and it feels life-threatening or scary to you, you should go to the nearest urgent care or emergency room to be seen right away.
