UMMC 2 You makes minor medical care convenient

Published on Monday, November 1, 2021

By: Ruth Cummins

UMMC 2 You, a telehealth urgent care service offering quick and safe treatment for minor medical problems, is now open to the general public for same-day or next-day appointments.

Created initially for residents covered by the state of Mississippi health insurance, UMMC 2 You is available to any Mississippi resident with WiFi capability, regardless of their insurance status. For those with insurance, costs vary according to their plan and deductibles.

UMMC has expanded the reach of UMMC 2 You to help eliminate barriers to care created by COVID-19, said Kyle Brewer, administrator of telehealth services at UMMC’s Center for Telehealth.

“Flu season is coming up, and a lot of people don’t want to get out, just like with COVID-19,” Brewer said. “If you think you’re sick, you might not want to get out and go to a clinic, but you still need care.

“That’s the benefit of UMMC 2 You,” he said. “We want to provide convenience to those who want to get care quickly, at home, work or school.”

Visits with a nurse practitioner typically take about 15 minutes and can be done anywhere in Mississippi with a WiFi connection for a smartphone, tablet or computer. Nurse practitioners can prescribe some medications, and also will refer patients to other providers as needed.

Minor medical conditions treated include:

Upper respiratory issues
Rashes
Allergies
Asthma
Bites
Joint pain
Other common health concerns

Telehealth nurse practitioners have been critical in answering patients’ questions about symptoms that might mean they have a COVID-19 infection and directing them toward testing and treatment, Brewer said. Those COVID-19 symptoms – some similar to those caused by the flu - can include:

Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell

“It is important to note that UMMC 2 You does not attempt to take the place of important routine exams and specialty care,” said Dr. Tearsanee Carlisle Davis, a nurse practitioner and the Center for Telehealth’s director of clinical and advanced practice operations.

“However, patients using the UMMC 2 You program can be easily referred for in-person care in their community if needed. The aim of this service is to improve access to care when needed, and we have been able to aid people in establishing relationships with primary care providers.”

Although telehealth often is used to care for rural patients with little access to medical services, Brewer said, people throughout the state can benefit from convenient urgent care. That includes those with transportation difficulties or other health ailments that make it difficult from them to leave home.

“It’s our ultimate goal to provide quick, efficient and quality care to all patients, especially those who might not have access to care otherwise,” Brewer said.

UMMC providers are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. and on Saturdays, from 8 a.m.-noon. Plans call for expanding availability around-the-clock in early 2022, Brewer said.

The best way to schedule an appointment is by downloading UMMC 2 You app from either the Apple Store or Google Play. Go to the bottom of the page here to get started.

“We’ve seen that about 90 percent of people who use UMMC 2 You download the app,” Brewer said. Likewise, he said, about 90 percent of those patients use their smartphone or tablet for their telehealth visit.

Patients can also secure a next-available appointment by clicking here and creating an account if you don’t have one. Or, call 601-815-2020.

The above article appears in CONSULT, UMMC’s monthly e-newsletter sharing news about cutting-edge clinical and health science education advances and innovative biomedical research at the Medical Center and giving you tips and suggestions on how you and the people you love can live a healthier life. Click here and enter your email address to receive CONSULT free of charge. You may cancel at any time.