Sioux City Times

MercyOne Siouxland expanded its virtual visits to allow patients to meet with their MercyOne primary care physician through a video chat at home.

The video chats are HIPAA compliant and allow patients to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic, while also consulting with a local primary care or specialist provider, according to Siouxland Proud. 

Health care providers are allowed to conduct a routine appointment, give prescriptions, discuss other treatments and decide if the patient needs more care, Siouxland Proud reported. 

“We’re excited to continue to expand the availability of virtual visits across out locations. The expansion of this service enables us to provide even more people with health care access using an innovative health care option and demonstrates our commitment to delivering high-quality care when and where it is needed,” Beth Huges, president of MercyOne Siouxland, told Siouxland Proud. 

To meet with MercyOne, individuals need to have a smartphone or tablet that has a camera built in and access to broadband internet, according to Siouxland Proud.

If patients would like to consult with their local MercyOne primary care provider, they should call the local office and ask if a virtual visit would be appropriate for the condition they are experiencing, Siouxland Proud reported.