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UR Medicine Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Why Choose Us?

URMC / Obstetrics & Gynecology / Maternal-Fetal Medicine / Why Choose Us? / Telemedicine

 

Telemedicine

UR Medicine Maternal-Fetal medicine offers a convenient new way to access some of our services using telemedicine, a secure web-based video conferencing tool. Telemedicine provides an innovative and efficient way to attend appointments with our providers, from the privacy and comfort of your home, office or any remote location. Our MFM physicians, as well as our genetic counselors and our nutritionist can complete many consultations by telemedicine—allowing you to stay safe at home, and to have other people with you for the consultation (which may not be possible depending on current COVID restrictions with in-person visits).

Telemedicine refers to remote visits with your provider using telephone or video instead of an in-person visit. It allows you to speak with your provider without traveling to a hospital, office or clinic. You will receive the same quality of care and attention from your provider without having to meet in-person. If your visit is conducted using video, you will even be able to see your provider on your screen. Additionally, being seen by telemedicine can allow you to complete your visit from home, work or school, avoiding time out of your day, and in some cases a long drive to the office.

For many patients, we can see you by telemedicine for consultation and discussion of your medical issues or concerns during pregnancy or prior to planning a pregnancy. Most genetic counseling appointments are completed this way. For patients that are seeing us for prenatal care, we will also offer the opportunity to complete some of your prenatal visits (those that don’t require in person assessment) using Telemedicine.

If your visit requires an ultrasound with your consult to evaluate your developing baby, or other specialized testing, we will see you in person for the ultrasound in one of our locations, with the consult to follow either in person, or by telemedicine. These do not necessarily need to be on the same day, which may be helpful to minimize driving as it may allow you to utilize some of our regional sites for ultrasound, with consultation by telemedicine after the ultrasound appointment. For those patients that need specialty imaging of their fetus, fetal echocardiography, or pregnancy-related testing procedures, visits to one of main locations will likely be needed. However, if there are questions of what imaging or testing you would like, you may still complete the initial genetic counseling, or discussion with the physician prior to the ultrasound by telemedicine.

Most insurance companies are now providing coverage for telemedicine visits. There may be a cost associated with your visit, such as a copay, but you should check with your insurance provider to confirm how much you can expect to pay.

Learn more about URMC telemedicine services.

For questions related to Zoom, please call 1-844-455-8762, available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

For MyChart questions, call our MyChart Customer Service Center, available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, at (585) 275-8762 or 1-888-661-6162 (choose option 1).

Making the Most of Your Visit

Before Your Visit

  • A link will be sent to you to connect through MyChart or email. Make sure you download any links ahead that are sent to you for connecting to the telehealth appointment.
  • Check your internet connection, monitor, and camera to make sure they’re working. You can call our office to “trial” your connection if you have any concerns.
  • Please plan to log in about 10 minutes head of your visit to that the nurse or tech can assure everything is working and get you settled for your visit. Call our office at (585) 487-3350 if you having trouble connecting.
  • Sit in a well-lit area (but not in front of a window) without noise or distractions (no television, put devices on do not disturb, see if someone else can help with other children or pets).
  • If possible, connect your computer to the internet using a corded connection. Turn off other WiFi devices to maintain a strong connection.
  • Make a list of questions that you want to ask your healthcare professional.
  • If you have been checking your blood pressure, weight, or blood sugar at home, have those results ready to share with your health care professional. If you use MyChart these can be uploaded ahead of time in many cases.
  • Take advantage of MyChart! This is the best way to reach our office for non-urgent messaging, prescriptions, and scheduling follow-up visits. Sign up for MyChart.

During Your Visit

  • Sit comfortably with necessities (pillows, water, etc.) nearby.
  • Assure that anyone you want to be present with you can see and hear the screen.
  • Have the phone number of the office handy in case you are cut off and need to get re-connect.
  • Try not to "multitask"—this is your time with your health care professional, and you want to make the most of it.
  • Jot down answers to the questions you have prepared or have your support person take notes.
  • Make sure all of your questions are answered. Ask for clarification if you don’t understand something. 
  • Ask about next steps.
  • Make sure you know how to make any follow-up appointments—remember that you are not in the doctor’s office and you won’t be "stopping by" the receptionist desk to make a follow-up appointment.