For Tennessee residents who have put off taking care of everyday healthcare needs for fear of being exposed to COVID-19, a recently launched initiative may provide a solution. Fast Pace Health, the state’s largest provider of urgent care services, has introduced Fast Pace Telehealth.
In our area, Fast Pace Urgent Care has clinics in Paris, Camden, Huntingdon, Martin, Union City, Ashland City, Humboldt, and numerous other clinics in the state.
The Telehealth program allows new and established patients to get care for a number of common ailments from the safety and comfort of their own home. Patients can also get prescriptions for a number of routine medications through the Telehealth program.
Fast Pace CEO Gregory Steil said, “Instead of going to a clinic, the patient can simply visit the company’s website at www.fastpacehealth.com, click on the Telehealth link, and follow instructions to register for a virtual visit. The visits are made possible through an application that patients download to their smartphone or tablet. Through the app, patients and Fast Pace providers are able to see and speak with each other in real time.”
Fast Pace Telehealth was launched in Tennessee earlier this week. It has been in place in Kentucky for several days now and has seen an increased level of use, Steil said. Expansion into Mississippi and Louisiana where Fast Pace also operates urgent care clinics is under way, he added.
“Fast Pace Health is continuing to support the communities we serve by expanding Telehealth services rapidly during the COVID-19 crisis, allowing our patients to see their Fast Pace providers, in either the clinic or their home,” Steil said. “Our Telehealth team is working tirelessly to extend hours and make Telehealth services available in additional states.”
Common ailments that can be diagnosed and treated through the service include cold and flu like symptoms, seasonal allergies, stomach viruses, rashes and skin conditions, pinkeye, urinary tract infections, yeast infections, fever blisters, minor boils, abscesses and cellulitis (bacterial skin infection).
The number of insurance companies who cover telehealth services is expanding rapidly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The government on March 17 announced expanded Medicare telehealth coverage that will enable beneficiaries to receive a wider range of healthcare services from their doctors without having to travel to a healthcare facility.
“Fast Pace opened its first clinic more than 10 years ago with the mission of providing accessible healthcare to rural areas,” Steil said. “We have locations throughout Tennessee and hire providers from those communities to serve their communities. It’s more than just healthcare in the home: Our providers are able to partner together to provide the personal care our patients have come to rely upon when they visit Fast Pace.”
Fast Pace patients who are concerned they may have a COVID-19 (coronavirus) infection should call their nearest Fast Pace clinic for additional advice, and follow CDC guidance. Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should dial 911.