eMD Access Telemedicine | What We Treat

"I have a health issue. How can eMD Access doctors help?"

Type of Health Issue:

Urgent Care Needs

COVID-19 and flu symptoms
Urgent care needs like rash, pink eye, cuts, sprains, nausea and diarrhea
Emergency situations like concussion or broken bone to determine if the ER is the best choice

We advise, diagnose, or treat urgent care symptoms

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In a true emergency or life-threatening situation call 911 immediately.

Urgent Care Needs

"Do I (or does my child) need to go to the ER or Urgent Care for this?"
"Does this need stitches?"
"Can I take these two medicines together?"
"What over-the counter medicine would you recommend for my___?"
"Should I see my PCP or my specialist for this?"
"Can this wait for my next PCP appointment?"
"What can I do to prevent altitude sickness/motion sickness?"

Skin rashes and infections
Pink eye
Cough
Sore throat
Cold and flu symptoms
Insect bites and stings
Earaches and swimmer's ear
Seasonal allergies
Sinus infections
Cold sores/fever blisters
Shingles
Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in females
Yeast infections
Gout
Dental infections
Constipation
Diarrhea
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease symptoms (GERD symptoms)
Nausea and diarrhea
Minor back and shoulder pain
Minor injuries, sprains, and strains
Minor trauma, burns or lacerations
Headaches
Acne
And much more

Emergency Situations

"My chest hurts."
"I'm feeling short of breath."
"I think my husband broke his arm."
"Should I go to the ER for stitches?"
"My child hit her head and was briefly unconscious, what should we do?"

The eMD Access doctor can help you determine your best options when you have an urgent healthcare need.
If you are planning to go to the ER for a medical issue, use eMD Access first.
If you are unsure about going to the Emergency Department (ER) use eMD Access first.
The eMD Access doctor will help you decide if your condition should be urgently evaluated in person.
The eMD Access doctor can help you determine the best place to get the care you need.
The ER is a very expensive place to get care.
It is estimated that 40-60% of ER visits are avoidable.
ER copays are usually much higher than office visit copays.

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Prescriptions and Lab Testing for Illness, Infections, and Rashes

Sinus infection
Skin rash or itchiness
Strep throat symptoms
UTI symptoms
Missed period or suspected pregnancy
Antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal prescriptions

We determine if you need an antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal prescription or lab testing

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Antibiotic, Antiviral, and Antifungal Prescriptions

"I think I have a sinus infection.
"Could this be ringworm?
"My spouse tested positive for influenza.
"I need a pregnancy test.
"I saw blood in my urine.

When the eMD Access physician is able to obtain enough information via telemedicine to diagnose an infection, and the potential benefits of antibimicrobial therapy clearly outweigh the risks and potential side-effects.
When lab testing confirms the presence of an infection.
eMD Access takes responsible antibiotic stewardship seriously.
Confirmatory testing or in-person examination may be required in order for the eMD Access doctor to meet the standard of care in diagnosing and/or treating certain infections.

Note: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly discourages prescribing antibiotics for sore throats, urinary symptoms, or earaches in children WITHOUT first obtaining diagnostic testing or directly visualizing the ear canal and ear drum. Our pediatricians take this seriously and will most often need for the child to be tested or seen in person before they can meet the standard of care in prescribing antibiotics to your child for these issues. Sometimes it is appropriate to treat symptoms and then go in for testing if the symptoms persist or worsen.

Suggested Alternative(s):
The eMD Access doctor assisting you or your child will recommend the best place for you to get timely care when they are unable.

Lab Testing

"I need a pregnancy test."
"I saw blood in my urine."

Our eMD Access doctors can order testing to make a diagnosis, determine a treatment, or make a more informed decision regarding your health.
eMD Access is proud to offer access to lab testing in the Greater Austin Area.
As appropriate, your eMD Access doctor may order testing for the following conditions: Influenza (flu), Strep Throat, UTI symptoms, COVID-19, pregnancy, anemia, and conditions affecting kidneys, liver, or your electrolytes.
eMD Access doctors are unable to order laboratory testing not listed above or for labs located outside our service area.

Suggested Alternative(s):
Lab testing for periodic monitoring of long-standing issues like diabetes, high cholesterol, or prolonged medication use should be ordered through your PCP or the specialist who manages your chronic illness.
If the eMD Access doctor cannot order any lab(s) needed they can assist you with finding the best option to get what you need.

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Refills, Referrals, Psychiatric Care, Chronic Conditions

Medication refills
Managing chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure
Referral to a specialist
Psychiatric care or medications

We measure risk and urgency to determine treatment or referral to your primary care doctor

more guidance

Medication Refills

"I have run out of my migraine medicine."
"I recently moved to the area and I need refills of my blood pressure medicines."

eMD Access doctors may refill various medicines on a case-by-case basis.
Each medication has different potential risks, benefits, side-effects, and need for monitoring. The eMD Access doctor must consider these factors to determine when they should refill a medicine.
When it is safe to refill a chronic medicine, eMD Access doctors typically can provide a one-month "bridge" refill to allow you time to see your doctor or to establish with a new doctor.
When you are seeking a medication you have taken for an acute condition in the past and that condition has recurred, often the eMD Access doctor can help. This does not apply to controlled medicines (see below.)

Suggested Alternative(s):
In general, you should try to get refills of chronic medicines from your PCP or the doctor who manages that condition for you.

Often, the quickest way to do this is to request a refill through your pharmacy.

With refills for acute issues, at times you may need to be seen in person to ensure that the benefit of refilling your medicine outweighs the risk to you.

When this is the case, the eMD Access doctor can help direct you to the most appropriate place (urgent care, ER, etc.). Referrals

Referrals

"I need to get a referral to a specialist."

If you are self-pay and without a PCP it may be appropriate for the eMD Access doctor to refer you to a specialist on a case-by-case basis.
When you don't have a PCP and you know your plan doesn't require PCP referrals it may be appropriate to confer with the eMD Access doctor to find the best specialist, especially for time-sensitive conditions.

Rarely results in added efficiency for patients
Often must come through your PCP of record with the insurance company
Even when successful may further fragment care by cutting out the PCP
PCP may have a valid reason to recommend a different consultant since they know your history best

Suggested Alternative(s):
Start with your PCP.
If you do not have a PCP, your insurance may have assigned you one and will expect that doctor to make referrals for you.

Contact your insurance company for clarification.

Establish with a PCP who accepts your plan.

Psychiatric Care

"I'm having a flare-up of my depression and anxiety symptoms"

Mental health needs to be managed longitudinally across time, not episodically as eMD Access is set up to be.
When you are looking for resources and guidance on finding the mental healthcare you are seeking the eMD Access doctor can often help.
When you have been on a stable dosage of a psychiatric medicine previously and it is in your best interest to refill or restart it ASAP the eMD Access doctors may be able to prescribe refills for you.
One of the best predictors of a good outcome in psychiatric care is the caregiver-patient relationship.
The eMD Access doctor doesn't know you and your unique circumstances as well as a PCP who gets to know you.
Many psychiatric medicines require close monitoring for side effects, response, and some for habit-forming potential.
Access to psychiatric care is a challenge nation-wide.
eMD Access doctors are rarely the best place to get psychiatric care.
Psychiatric medicines often require multiple dosage adjustments to find the right dose, which makes continuity of care very important.

Suggested Alternative(s):
Start with your PCP.
Establish with a PCP if you don't have one.
Your employer may offer an employee assistance program (EAP) that includes counseling/therapy.
Find a counselor/therapist who accepts your insurance and make an appointment.

Counselors and therapists do not prescribe medications.

Managing Chronic Conditions

"I have diabetes and my sugars have been high."
"I have high blood pressure and my dentist said my blood pressure was concerning yesterday."
"I'm getting side effects from my cholesterol medication."
"I need to change my form of birth control."

eMD Access doctors are sometimes able to help you manage your chronic condition until you have access to the doctor who usually treats you.
The eMD Access doctor can help you decide the best way to obtain the care you need.
The eMD Access doctor can help you make short-term decisions and manage your chronic condition when you are between doctors, such as with a move, or when you are unable to reach the doctor who usually helps you manage your condition.

Suggested Alternative(s):
It is almost always best that any chronic medical conditions are managed by your PCP or specialist as opposed to acute care services like eMD Access.

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Controlled Substances

Prescribing or refills of controlled substances like Xanax, Vicodin, or Adderall

We refer you to your prescribing physician

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What We Treat

"I have a health issue. How can eMD Access doctors help?"

Type of Health Issue:

Urgent Care Needs

We advise, diagnose, or treat urgent care symptoms

Prescriptions and Lab Testing for Illness, Infections, and Rashes

We determine if you need an antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal prescription or lab testing

Refills, Referrals, Psychiatric Care, Chronic Conditions

We measure risk and urgency to determine treatment or referral to your primary care doctor

Controlled Substances

We refer you to your prescribing physician

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