woman is sitting in her chair while holding her tablet and prescription bottle

Virtual Care E-Visits

A University of Michigan Health Virtual Care E-Visit is a convenient way to receive health care advice and treatment for common medical needs.

Our E-Visits are an asynchronous way to receive care. This means you will send the information needed to treat you. Our health care providers will review and send a written treatment plan in response. There is no appointment or phone call needed for an E-Visit. You can submit one anytime, day or night, using your MyUofMHealth Patient Portal account.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can be treated by an E-Visit?

University of Michigan Health Virtual Care offers E-Visit treatment in several departments including:

  • Dermatology
  • Department of Surgery
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN)
  • Ophthalmology
  • Primary Care
  • Urology

Log on to the MyUofMHealth Patient Portal to determine exactly what types of E-Visits are available to you.

How can I access an E-Visit?

Simply follow these steps: 

  • Log in to your MyUofMHealth Patient Portal account.
  • Select the E-Visit option under the “Your Menu” tab.
  • Answer a few short questions about your health.
  • Receive a written response from a University of Michigan Health provider via your MyUofMHealth Patient Portal.
Who is eligible for an E-Visit?

You must be physically located in the State of Michigan to submit an e-visit due to state law and regulations. E-Visits are available for many active (having received care in the last 36 months) University of Michigan Health patients who are enrolled in the MyUofMHealth Patient Portal. E-Visits for patients under the age of 18 must be submitted by a parent or guardian with proxy access.  Learn more about proxy access at MyUofMHealth.


 

How much does an E-Visit cost?

E-Visits may be fully covered by your insurance. You may verify whether you have coverage for E-Visits by calling your insurance company and asking if the following billing codes are covered: 99421, 99422 and 99423.

What conditions should I not use an E-Visit for?

Do not use an E-Visit if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

  • Severe shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Chest pain
  • Headache and stiff neck (can't touch chin to chest)
  • Too weak to stand
  • Fainting or passing out
  • High fever (>104F, 40C)

If you are experiencing these symptoms, please call 911 or your physician's office immediately.

When are E-Visit services available?

You may request an E-Visit anytime day or night—seven days a week. You will receive a response within 3 business days.

Will I be charged if I am not able to be treated by an E-Visit?

You will not be charged for the E-Visit if the University of Michigan Health provider determines that an E-Visit is not appropriate for your condition. They will direct you to schedule an in-person appointment instead.

Will I receive a phone call when I submit an E-Visit?

No, a University of Michigan Health provider will send you a written treatment plan via your MyUofMHealth patient portal.

What is a written treatment plan?

A written treatment plan is a unique message sent from a University of Michigan Health provider to your MyUofMHealth patient portal. A written treatment plan may include:         

  • Advice on how to treat your common, non-urgent health condition at home
  • Prescriptions (as needed)
  • Recommendations to avoid public settings like work or school (as needed)
  • Suggestions for medications that do not need to be prescribed (as needed)
Will I receive a prescription when I submit an E-Visit?

You will receive a prescription if the University of Michigan Health providers finds that it is medically necessary. Sometimes, it may be suggested that you take a medication that does not need to be prescribed.

Why can’t I find an E-Visit in my patient portal?

The only E-Visits that will appear in your patient portal are those you are eligible for. If you do not see an E-Visit option for the condition you are looking for it may be because you are not eligible to submit for that condition. Some Specialty Care E-Visits are never available as an option to select on your own. These must be sent to you from your health care provider and will be visible from your patient portal home screen on the date they have requested that you complete it. If your health care provider requested that you complete an E-Visit and you do not see it on your patient portal home screen or in the list of E-Visit conditions, please call your health care provider.