It’s hard to talk about the healthcare industry without getting into politics. As a former public administration student, I remember my public policy professor posing the question, “Which societal problem do you solve first?” or something to that effect. Not a single student had the answer – the system is too complex. I didn’t even have an answer. What I did know was if you cut one agency’s budget, you’re bound to hurt another agency’s ability to adequately provide services. This was in 2012. With healthcare becoming more expensive each year, individuals and families opt to not pay for health insurance. But because of the pandemic, healthcare providers are offering services through telemedicine. And health insurance companies are encouraging members to partake in telemedicine because a virtual visit is cheaper than an in-office visit.
With the rise of telemedicine services, Dr. Dorsha James, MD launched her own telemedicine company myURGENCYMD to increase access to doctors for everyone. myURGENCYMD provides members access to physicians 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via phone, video, or email. Individuals can seek medical consultation for common medical conditions and non-emergency illnesses with a click of a building. Dr. James is a 15-year emergency medicine physician located in Nashville, Tennessee. She has first-hand experience in what happens in the ER for patients with non-life-threatening conditions. She understands that the ER is often the only place individuals can receive care. But with overcrowding and extensive wait times, adequate and efficient care is not always achieved. Her telemedicine app allows patients the ability to see a doctor from the comforts of home, bypassing doctors’ offices, and waiting rooms without a large hospital bill.
Dr. Dorsha James talks about her inspiration for creating her own telemedicine company, affordability of services, and how other doctors and health practitioners can get involved.
Can you tell us more about your background in the medical field?
“I started my journey into medicine back in 2000 when I worked as an Emergency Department Registration Clerk during my gap year between graduating from The University of Memphis and going to medical school. I attended medical school at East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine. I was fortunate enough to matriculate to the Department of Emergency Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and was the first African-American female to do so. After graduating from residency in 2008, I became an attending physician in the same Emergency Department that I worked as a Registration Clerk. I have over 14 years of Emergency Medicine experience serving in the capacity of Assistant Medical Director and Medical Director of the Emergency Department. In 2018, I decided to pivot and start myURGENCYMD.”
What inspired you to create your own telemedicine company?
“I worked the night shift in the ER for over 13 years. During this time, I was always amazed at the sheer number of people who did not have any other choice but to use the Emergency Department for minor complaints and injuries. Some even came just to get a work excuse because they couldn’t afford to see a primary care doctor, or they couldn’t get off of work to see a doctor. When someone is sick, there only are few places that they can go to get instant care and treatment. During the day, healthcare options seem plentiful. You can go to physician offices (if you can get an appointment), free clinics (if they have the resources), or urgent care (if you can pay the co-pay or cost of services in advance). However, for those who are uninsured, or underinsured, healthcare costs are a hindrance. Many people need care but just can’t afford it. As one of the few places you can be seen and not have to pay in advance 24 hours a day, the ER became the preferred place to receive care. Telemedicine offers an option that doesn’t include crowded waiting rooms, long wait times, and expensive medical bills. We’re also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
“Studies have shown that over 70% of all visits to primary care offices could have been handled by phone, video, or email. The same goes for most visits that come into the ER. It has always been my passion to deliver convenient, cost-effective, and time-saving healthcare. Telemedicine allows me to offer that to our members. I hope that someday the use of telemedicine can also help to lessen the number of people in ER waiting rooms. It’s a lofty goal, but it’s one that I hope we will one day achieve.”
How does the membership to My Urgency MD work? Why use memberships vs. copays?
“myURGENCYMD is a telemedicine subscription service. We offer quite a bit for the price. Once a member enrolls on our website, they get instant access to all of our services including:
A. Unlimited virtual visits with doctors via phone and video. Our members may also email medical questions to our 9 different specialists – Pediatricians, Psychologists, Pharmacists, Dentists, Dietitians, Sports Medicine, Ophthalmologists, Alternative Medicine Providers, and General Practitioners.
B. Unlimited Mental Health Therapy. Our members are able to discuss a variety of mental and behavioral health issues with master’s Level Therapists. All of their information is confidential, and they are guaranteed follow-up with the same therapist.
D. Unlimited Patient Advocacy. Our members have access to Patient Advocates that can help negotiate medical bills, assist with scheduling appointments, finding charity care, assist with Medicaid applications, and more.
Our memberships come with unlimited use and can be cancelled at any time without cancellation fees. One membership includes up to 7 household members for the same price and there are never any co-pays. Other telemedicine services charged their members co-pays or fees of up to $70 per telemedicine visit and this does not include mental health services. With myURGENCYMD, members are able to have unlimited access to all of our benefits for only $24.95 a month for their entire family. That’s less than $300 a year!”
Do patients need insurance? What happens when a patient doesn’t have health insurance?
“The beauty of myURGENCYMD is that it is able to be used whether a person has insurance or not. It acts as a valuable adjunct to those with insurance, especially if their plan does not include a telemedicine option. myURGENCYMD is not an insurance plan, but our services can assist those without health insurance with obtaining urgent care, medical advice, or mental health counseling using a convenient and cost-efficient medium.”
“Our doctors are able to diagnose most minor conditions and can instruct patients to go to a higher level of care based on their symptoms. This is important for those who aren’t sure whether they need to be physically seen by a doctor or not. Some common illnesses that can be treated with telemedicine are cold and flu symptoms, sinus problems, respiratory infections, allergies, some STDs, urinary tract infections, and many other non-emergency illnesses.”
What city and states is the My Urgency MD app available in?
“myURGENCYMD’s members have access to physicians 24/7/365 in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico. Our members may also choose to speak with physicians in English or Spanish.”
How can interested doctors and/or nurses plug into your organization?
“At this time, our only providers are Medical Doctors and Doctors of Osteopathy. Interested physicians can contact us at contact@myurgencymd.com for more information.
And anyone who would like to subscribe to our services can visit www.myurgencymd.com.”
If you’re looking for affordable, quality, and convenient healthcare, check out myURGENCYMD available in your home state.
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