Behavioral Health Services Now Available Through Virtual Urgent Care

Montefiore Einstein now offers patients a convenient way to access healthcare services from anywhere. Using any mobile device or computer, patients concerned about a variety of common illnesses, minor injuries or feeling stressed out can quickly connect with specialists who are leaders in their fields.

Launched in January 2022 during the COVID-19 omicron surge, Virtual Urgent Care helped to reduce exposure for patients visiting the emergency department and urgent care locations. Specialists currently see patients through Virtual Urgent Care from across New York State, with the majority coming from southern Westchester County. Starting March 22, 2023, patients also will be able to access behavioral health services for symptoms including anxiety, depression or stress.

“Patients are interacting with healthcare specialists literally at their fingertips, which is impactful as the landscape of delivering healthcare enters a new frontier,” said Deborah J. White, MD, MBA, Vice Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, Montefiore Einstein, and Associate Professor, Emergency Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

The process is simple and fast. Patients access Virtual Urgent Care through their MyChart account, and they are then connected to a Montefiore Einstein specialist who can diagnose their condition, issue prescriptions, order imaging and make referrals for follow-up care, if necessary.

“We have tremendous talent and expertise at all of our sites, and Virtual Urgent Care provides an opportunity to deliver exceptional care through video even if the patient and specialist are in different locations,” said David Esses, MD, Interim Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, Montefiore Einstein, and Professor, Emergency Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Virtual Urgent Care has expanded to include readmission-reduction initiatives. “Instead of coming to the emergency room, recently discharged patients will be given information about MyChart and how to access Virtual Urgent Care as a first step before coming back to the hospital,” said Dr. Esses.

Doctors expect Virtual Urgent Care to play a growing role in patient care going forward.

“Virtual Urgent Care advances the accessibility of clinical care beyond the customary brick-and-mortar establishment and will dissolve barriers that can sometimes prevent patients from otherwise seeking medical care,” said Dr. White. “Some examples of these virtual services include monitoring high-risk groups of patients who often have to attend frequent in-person medical appointments; streamlining assessments of some health conditions—which are often done in the emergency department—with simplified access to outpatient testing; and guiding emergency medical service 911 paramedics in caring for their patients when they respond to calls.” Resources are also offered through Virtual Urgent Care to our own students at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, as well as after-hours services to Fordham University scholars.

While Virtual Urgent Care will eventually be open around the clock, the current hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m.–9:30 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. on weekends. For more information, visit the Virtual Urgent Care website.