FirstHealth Family Medicine Clinics in Moore County Launch Telemedicine Visits
| Date Posted: 4/15/2020
On April 9, FirstHealth Family Medicine introduced telemedicine video appointments at the Pinehurst, Seven Lakes and Carthage clinics. Video encounters are expected to be available for primary care clinics throughout Moore County in the coming weeks.
In compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and social distancing guidelines for COVID-19, clinics are increasingly relying on telephone and video visits to treat patients.
Ann Marie Richards, M.D., at FirstHealth Family Medicine – Pinehurst said it’s important that patients still receive proper care for acute medical concerns and chronic medical problems during this isolation period. Video visits are offered for existing patients during regular clinic hours. Patients are asked to call the office to set up an appointment.
“Clinic staff will walk patients through the process over the phone, and make sure they’re set up for the visit on their mobile devices,” Dr. Richards said. “First, you will speak to a nurse on the phone, and then you will have a live, real-time video visit with your provider. From that visit, providers have the ability to prescribe medications, as well as order lab tests and imaging, if necessary, at the outpatient hospital or our clinic.”
Insurance companies are covering telemedicine appointments. Copays may or may not be required, depending on an individual’s coverage. Dr. Richards said she’s excited to offer patients medical care that allows them to remain safe in the comfort of their own home.
“In this manner, I am able to continue to follow patients’ chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure,” she said. “I can also address any acute medical problems people are experiencing; allergies, new rashes, coughs.”
In addition to televideo, primary care clinics are offering telephone appointments for medical concerns or follow-ups that don’t require in-person treatments. To schedule a virtual appointment at a FirstHealth family medicine location, call the office number listed below.
Moore County Primary Care Locations offering video visits:
Family Medicine, Carthage
304 Saunders Street
Carthage, NC 28327
(910) 947-3000
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Family Medicine, Pinehurst
150 Ivey Lane, Suite B
Pinehurst, NC 28374
(910) 215-5210
Monday – Thursday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Friday: 8 a.m. - noon
Family Medicine, Seven Lakes
1035-C Seven Lakes Drive
West End, NC 27376
(910) 673-0045
Monday – Thursday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Friday: 8 a.m. - noon
Family Medicine, Vass
3349 US 1 Highway
Vass, NC 28394
(910) 245-7678
Monday – Thursday,:8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Friday: 8 a.m. - noon
Family Medicine, Whispering Pines
7473 - B Hwy 22
Whispering Pines, NC 28327
(910) 215-5115
Monday – Thursday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Friday: 8 a.m. - noon
Internal Medicine, Pinehurst
293 Olmsted Blvd., Suite 1, McCormick Building
Pinehurst, NC 28374
(910) 715-8541
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
