Provides 24/7 virtual urgent care across the Commonwealth

Kentuckians have a new 24/7 option for urgent care with KentuckyOne Anywhere Care, a phone and video chat-based medical service launched today. KentuckyOne Health, the largest health system in the Commonwealth is among the first hospital systems in the U.S. to make such a service available to the public.

New or established patients can consult with board-certified family practice providers without leaving home—24 hours a day, seven days a week. Patients can request care via the Web at www.KentuckyOneAnywhereCare.org or by calling a toll-free phone number.

Following a request, patients receive a phone or video chat call from a provider within 30 minutes. KentuckyOne Anywhere Care providers may prescribe medications, if appropriate, recommend an over-the-counter medication, or provide home care options. Providers do not prescribe or refill prescriptions for controlled substances such as narcotic pain relievers.

Prior to launching the service publicly, KentuckyOne made the service available to its employees and their families. The service has received excellent feedback. Concerns treated included sinus infections, upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections and minor injuries.

Larry Shepherd of Louisville said he recently started feeling sick over the weekend and decided to try the service.

“My regular doctor wasn’t open and I really didn’t want to wait until Monday to get an appointment,” Shepherd said. “I called close to midnight and the doctor called back in about five minutes. She was very in-depth and asked me what remedies I had tried and what medications I have used before. I was very impressed with the doctor.”

Shepherd was able to get his prescriptions filled on Sunday morning and felt well enough to work on Monday.

“Anywhere Care is a logical extension of the care that we provide and it complements in-person services,” said Ron Waldridge, M.D., a KentuckyOne Health family physician. “Larry’s experience is a great example of how this service can help our patients. He had a common concern that he had experienced before and his regular primary care provider was unavailable.”

KentuckyOne Anywhere Care also provides a follow-up report to the patient’s KentuckyOne provider following a visit. If needed, the KentuckyOne Anywhere Care provider will refer patients for a follow-up clinic visit or to an emergency department.

“Increasing access to health care and strengthening the primary care system in the Commonwealth is an important step in our work to create a healthier Kentucky,” said Ruth W. Brinkley, chief executive officer of KentuckyOne Health. “KentuckyOne Anywhere Care is one way we are doing that.”

KentuckyOne Anywhere Care is offered through a partnership with Carena, Inc., a pioneer in the use of telemedicine. Carena now serves 4.5 million people in five states through its health system partnerships, self-insured organizations and consumer web services.

“We are delighted to partner with KentuckyOne Health to bring virtual care delivery to the Commonwealth and we are proud to assist them in providing options for care in the community.” said Ralph C. Derrickson, Carena’s president and CEO.

KentuckyOne Anywhere Care costs $35 per visit and is paid by patients, whether or not they are covered by insurance. The cost is less than typical urgent care and a fraction of the cost of a normal emergency room visit.