Piedmont First Healthcare System in Georgia to Offer On-demand Virtual Visits

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Thursday, December 17th, 2015

Piedmont Healthcare, including Piedmont Newton Medical Center, is launching a new app — Piedmont On Call — that allows patients to see doctors via smartphone or tablet.

Designed to help consumers get faster treatment for low-acuity, urgent health care needs, Piedmont On Call is the first of its kind in Georgia allowing consumers too busy to make a trip to the doctor to see a physician on demand.

“Piedmont On Call offers another, more convenient way for consumers to access health care services,” said Matt Gove, chief consumer officer at Piedmont Health care, in a press release. “With a quick download of the Piedmont On Call application via smart phone or tablet, patients can be seen by a physician without having to leave home or work.”

Board-certified physicians are available for consultations via Piedmont On Call from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day of the week for $100 per virtual visit.

Rates of conferring with doctors via email, texting or video have doubled in the past two years, according to a new report from The Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. This suggests digital communication between consumers and providers may continue trending upward.

“By meeting consumers where it is most convenient, we are making it easier for them to take charge of their health,” Gove said, in the release. “Piedmont On Call is more than a cool, new app. It is rethinking the way we provide care so we can deliver health care services the way consumers want to receive them — on their terms.”