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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – DALLAS – Sept. 25, 2017 – Hurricane evacuees living in Texas now can have free access to an ER physician via a video and text messaging app from CirrusMD through UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Texas Docs Care program.
“As Houston continues to recover from Hurricane Harvey, we know some areas won’t be easily accessible and some doctors’ offices will likely be closed for some time, but medical needs still must be met,” said Dr. Deborah Diercks, Chairman of Emergency Medicine at UT Southwestern, who holds the Audre and Bernard Rapoport Distinguished Chair in Clinical Care and Research. “Texas Docs Care ensures damage from the storm won’t mean Texans are cut off from the medical attention they might need.”
With Texas Docs Care, Texans will be able to download the CirrusMD app and share images, video chat, or send a secure text message to a UT Southwestern doctor on a computer or mobile device – at no cost.
UT Southwestern’s physicians will be available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to address concerns such as refilling prescriptions, obtaining substitutions for medical equipment damaged or left behind in the floods, and discussing symptoms and other issues for those who can’t reach their physicians.
“We’re excited to partner with UT Southwestern to provide immediate access to a doctor through our app,” said Andy Altorfer, CirrusMD CEO. “By giving patients a complimentary, HIPAA-compliant, virtual-care option to text, image share, or video chat directly with a UT Southwestern doctor, we can remove barriers to care and help ensure they’re seeing the right doctor at the right time.”
The service is available to those residing in Texas by registering for the platform online at TexasDocs.Care. FEMA ID is needed to register. After registering, individuals can download the app to their smartphone through the iTunes/Apple App Store or Google Play store.
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