Same-day Virtual Primary Care FAQs

On-demand video visits are available on the same day for new and established (current) patients, and E-Visit questionnaires are available for established patients and specific conditions.  

On-demand video visits are for people of all ages and for dependent children in your care. If a minor presents for a visit without a parent or guardian, consent will be needed before the visit. An E-Visit questionnaire is currently for adults ages 18 and older.  

All virtual primary care providers are employed by UW Medicine Primary Care. The provider team includes board-certified physicians (MDs and DOs) and advanced practice providers including nurse practitioners (ARNPs), and physician assistants (PA-Cs). 

On-demand video visits are available 7 days a week, 363 days a year from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. (closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas). You can complete an E-Visit questionnaire anytime (24/7/365). 

An on-demand video visit is a virtual care service that connects you with the next available UW Medicine provider to address your care needs using MyChart on your mobile phone, tablet or computer.

You can start an on-demand video visit right away in MyChart from your mobile phone, tablet, or computer. You will be placed “in line” to see the first available primary care provider who can diagnose and treat, outline care options, and order prescriptions and labs.

If there are no available providers within 30 minutes, you will be asked to check back in 5-10 minutes.

An E-Visit questionnaire is for established (current) UW Medicine patients and can be started right away in MyChart. E-Visit questionnaires are available in MyChart from your mobile phone, tablet, or computer. Currently, you can seek care via an E-Visit questionnaire for health needs such as pink eye (red eye), UTI/bladder problems, and motion sickness prevention. 

Once you submit the questionnaire, the next available primary care provider will review and respond within 1-2 business days with a diagnosis and treatment plan via MyChart. When necessary, the primary care provider may require an on-demand video visit or an in-person appointment. 

In-person visits are a better fit for any health concern where a physical examination is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis, for instance, if you have pneumonia, or when procedures are needed, such as immunizations or care for deep lacerations or fractures.

On-demand video visits and E-Visit questionnaires will be billed to your health insurance.  In most cases, your copay will be the same as for an in-person appointment, however coverage details vary by type of virtual care and health insurer. If you have questions or need to confirm your out-of-pocket costs, please contact your health insurance plan. For more information about UW Medicine’s billing and insurance coverage, visit UW Medicine Billing and Insurance.

Yes, interpreters are available for all video visits, however E-Visit questionnaires are currently only available in English.

You can “get in line” for an on-demand visit or submit an E-Visit questionnaire. If you need to schedule a visit, call 206.520.5100 or book online  (available at most locations).

The virtual primary care team will help you coordinate the next steps in your care, including in-person visits if necessary.

The virtual primary care provider may order diagnostic tests including labs and imaging studies at one of our convenient UW Medicine locations.

The virtual primary care team will directly follow up on test results with you through a MyChart message or by phone.

Virtual primary care providers may refill medications for the short-term. For long-term medication management, virtual primary care providers will refer you to your PCP.

Virtual primary care providers may prescribe controlled substances for an acute medical condition as appropriate. They will not, however, manage chronic controlled substances. If you need refills of a controlled substance, you will be referred to the physician with whom you have a controlled substance agreement. The virtual primary care providers adhere to all Washington state-controlled substance prescribing laws.

Using MyChart, a secure patient portal, you can “get in line” for an on-demand video visit with the first available UW Medicine primary care provider or get care through an E-Visit questionnaire. You can register for a MyChart account if you do not already have one. For more information, including account sign up and usage tips, please visit MyChart.

You will be able to contact your virtual primary care provider in a few ways: 

• MyChart medical advice message – you will be able to send messages via MyChart to the virtual primary care provider who treated you. If you have more questions unrelated to your specific visit, you will be encouraged to start a new virtual visit, see your PCP or establish care with a new PCP.  

• Phone – when you start an on-demand video visit or E-Visit questionnaire, you will be given a phone number to call virtual primary care support staff.

The virtual primary care team can recommend a PCP that is accepting new patients.

• On-demand video visits can be started right away in MyChart. You will be placed in line to see the first/next available UW Medicine primary care provider. On-demand video visits are available 7 days a week 363 days a year from 8:00 am-8:00 pm (excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas) and requires that you register and access the video visit using MyChart. 

• Telemedicine visits are available for you to schedule in advance with the UW Medicine primary or specialty care provider of your choice. Scheduled telemedicine visits are available during regular office hours.  To schedule a telemedicine visit, call 206.520.5100 or book online in MyChart (available at most locations).