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CHRISTUS Health is drastically expanding access to health care across Southeast Texas with the launch of CHRISTUS On Demand Care.These virtual visits allow patients to meet with a CHRISTUS Health caregiver through live video from their smartphone, tablet or computer for urgent care needs from 7 a.m. to 7 p. m. every day of the week, including Saturday and Sunday, and holidays.

“CHRISTUS On Demand Care means no commute and no busy waiting room. People will always have an option to see their doctor in person. Still, we want them to have another level of convenience, comfort and safety should they need that,” said Paul Generale, executive vice president and chief strategy officer for CHRISTUS Health. “The patient virtual care experience will be something we continuously look to grow at CHRISTUS. We want to respond to the needs and wants of people with busy schedules, those who live in secluded areas or those who need quick access to an urgent care doctor in minutes.”

Built specifically for a consumer’s health care needs in mind, CHRISTUS On Demand Care providers can treat anything from allergies or rashes to even the flu, all from the comfort of a location and a time that’s convenient for the user.

The virtual visit allows someone to be placed in a queue and to be seen quickly by the first available CHRISTUS board-certified provider.

Expected wait times are no longer than 30-minutes and are currently averaging a wait of just a few minutes.

“People can get the same high-quality care they would expect from an in-person visit without requiring them to leave their home or office,” said Mike Talley, vice president of clinical operations and virtual care of CHRISTUS Health. “CHRISTUS On Demand Care is for anyone who might need to see a provider right away. You don’t need to be an existing patient with us. We also want the communities we serve in Texas and Louisiana to know that we keep their privacy top of mind. All video visits are HIPAA compliant.”

First offered exclusively to CHRISTUS Associates, CHRISTUS On Demand Care is expanding and now officially open to communities throughout Texas and Louisiana.

Anyone who might need a virtual visit needs a smartphone (iPhone or Android) device, iPad, tablet, laptop, or a computer – as long as they have a working camera and microphone.

Dr. Steven Keuer, CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic president, said if a virtual visit starts and a doctor thinks the person might benefit from an in-person visit, one can be arranged in another setting like a clinic or emergency room.

If further testing like blood work or consultations is necessary, CHRISTUS On Demand Care can also help facilitate referrals and provide other helpful instructions.”

To schedule CHRISTUS On Demand Care visit christushealth.org/virtual-medicine.

There is no additional cost associated with a CHRISTUS On Demand Care visit.

Nearly all major medical insurances cover CHRISTUS On Demand Care visits. Depending on the insurance plan, one might have a co-pay, just like seeing a provider in a traditional office setting.

Medicare and Medicaid also currently cover virtual visits like CHRISTUS On Demand.