A new telemedicine service designed to help low-income patients has opened at a South Columbus community health clinic. Located in the Valley Healthcare System waiting room on Fort Benning Road, the service allows patients to interact with licensed Georgia healthcare providers. It operates in partnership with CareSource, a non-profit healthcare organization, and aims to treat immediate, non-life-threatening conditions.
The care station, the first of its kind in Columbus and only the second in Georgia, provides patients with the opportunity to have an urgent care visit without an appointment. Dr. Asanté Hilts, CEO of Valley Healthcare System, emphasized that patients with urgent needs such as cold, flu, or respiratory issues can walk in, receive treatment, and have prescriptions sent directly to a pharmacy. Referrals to specialists can also be made during the visit.
The process at the virtual care center mirrors that of a traditional doctor’s office, where patients check in, have their vitals measured, and then consult with a nurse practitioner or doctor virtually. After each visit, the care station undergoes automatic disinfection before the next patient is seen. This model supports Valley Healthcare’s mission of increasing access to healthcare for low-income individuals who struggle with access to quality services.
Hilts explained that one of the primary goals of the care station is to increase healthcare access by offering immediate care, reducing the wait time often seen in traditional settings. “We want every person in Columbus to have a medical home,” said Hilts, stressing that this telemedicine model allows for timely care, addressing urgent needs promptly.
The care center also plays a role in keeping patients out of emergency rooms for non-emergency issues, which helps free up resources for true emergencies. The service was established with a $180,000 grant from CareSource, which covered its first year. To ensure the continuation of the service, Valley Healthcare needs to demonstrate demand by encouraging people to use the care station.
The care center operates Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon.
