Apogee Doctor On Call helps Tennessee residents feel better faster just in time for flu season
Nashville—Dec. 19, 2012— Apogee™ Doctor On Call (ADOC) could prove to be an important ally this flu season for area residents. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has already reported that cases of the flu have started earlier than usual in the state. As one of the first-ever direct to patient over the phone medical evaluation services for common ailments including flu-like symptoms, provided by board-certified, licensed physicians, ADOC could help people avoid medical waiting rooms during this projected busy season where some studies show germs may linger.
“Some of the medical literature reports that the flu virus can survive up to 48 hours on hard, non-porous surfaces like plastic waiting room chairs, for example,” said Dr. Dennis Klein, Apogee Doctor On Call. “ ADOC could help the patient seeking treatment for an ailment that is not viral, like an ear infection, reducing, their exposure to other illnesses while waiting to see the doctor and it can help assess people who are experiencing flu-like symptoms, reducing their exposure to others because they are able to call a physician from their home.”
According to the British Columbia Institute of Technology, a study of clinics found that less than 40 percent screen patients for communicable diseases before having them wait in a shared waiting room and fail to separate contagious patients with healthy ones.
Some doctor offices make a concerted effort to remove magazines from waiting rooms to help prevent the spread of disease. Others go as far as advising patients to get a flu shot before setting foot inside a waiting room or avoiding it entirely, “some doctor’s might even advise that patients avoid going to the doctor for routine visits during cold and flu season, to reduce exposure,” shares Klein.
Apogee™ Doctor On Call makes its debut in time for what the CDC is saying could be the worst flu season in the past decade. Flu is expected to hit southern states like Tennessee especially hard this winter, making services like Apogee™ Doctor On Call a useful new tool. For a flat-rate of $50, people can reach the service by dialing 1-888-353-4555 toll-free any time of the day, seven days a week without leaving their home.
It accepts most Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) debit cards with no paperwork on the part of the patient as well as all major credit cards. No health insurance is necessary to access Apogee Doctor On Call. The service can provide patients with a summarized receipt should the patient like to submit it for possible reimbursement by their health insurance.
Apogee Doctor On Call patient information is archived in a HIPAA-compliant database that is accessible by the treating physician or directly by the patient. When a patient needs a prescription, it will be sent instantly and securely directly to their pharmacy through Allscripts® the most well-established and widely used electronic prescription database in the United States.
Apogee Doctor On Call is not a replacement for 911 and will not, prescribe any controlled substances or lifestyle medications such as Viagra and Cialis. It was created by Apogee Physicians, one of the nations largest physician groups caring for more than 1 million patients a year, announces a faster and easier option for accessing quality care. Visit www.ApogeeDoctorOnCall.com to learn more.
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