Handled well virtually
- Common respiratory illnesses, coughs, colds and sinus symptoms.
- Uncomplicated urinary symptoms in adults.
- Many skin problems and rashes where photographs and history do the work.
- Allergy and seasonal symptoms, which are largely a management problem.
- Straightforward eye irritation without pain, vision change or contact-lens use — see pink eye.
- Refills and continuing established medication when monitoring is current.
- Ongoing condition management such as blood pressure, with home readings and planned laboratory monitoring.
- Reviewing results, explaining what they mean and deciding the next step.
- Deciding, quickly and cheaply, whether a problem needs in-person care at all.
Can be started virtually, but not completed
- Anything needing laboratory testing or imaging — the order happens virtually, the test happens locally. See labs and imaging.
- Problems that need specialist assessment: the referral and the groundwork can be virtual.
- Preventive care that includes a physical component, such as certain screenings.
- New symptoms where an examination will decide the diagnosis.
Not appropriate virtually
- Anything needing a physical examination to reach the answer: abdominal pain, joint injury, an ear that must be looked into with an instrument, a breast or testicular lump.
- Procedures: stitches, drainage, splinting, injections, removing anything.
- Imaging and in-person diagnostics.
- Significant injuries and suspected fractures.
- Controlled substances, which Presence does not prescribe virtually.
- Emergencies of any kind.
Chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe breathing difficulty, severe bleeding, a serious injury or thoughts of self-harm need emergency care now — call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Do not book a virtual visit.
Why a virtual visit is still worth it when the answer is 'go in'
Being told within ten minutes which setting you need, and why, prevents the common and expensive mistakes — a four-hour emergency department wait for something minor, or days of waiting on something that needed attention. That triage value is real, and it is the reason a $19.99 household membership tends to pay for itself in avoided wrong turns rather than in visit fees.
What happens when virtual is not enough at Presence
You get told plainly, with a specific recommendation. In Dallas–Fort Worth, members can schedule an in-office visit at our North Richland Hills practice for ages 13 and older — $129 on Virtual Family Care, or two included each membership year then $99 each on Virtual + Local In-Office Care. Elsewhere, you will be directed to the appropriate local setting.