Circle Medical, a tech-driven primary care practice based in San Francisco, today expanded its primary care telemedicine service nationwide. Covering 27 states representing 67% of the US population, and in-network with most insurance plans, Circle Medical has by far the largest primary care telemedicine footprint in the country.
“We are hearing from patients across the country that they are having trouble accessing their primary care providers, either because their offices are not operating, or it is too dangerous to travel to them,” said Dr. Tom Ronay, Medical Director at Circle Medical. “By offering primary care over video, we are helping free up space in urgent care and emergency rooms with patients most in need.”
Previously, telemedicine providers have tended to focus on urgent care issues. With telemedicine for primary care, patients can now establish a relationship with a primary care provider who can manage their preventive care, chronic conditions, medications, lab orders and referrals.
Circle Medical connects primary care providers with patients over video. Patients pay just their regular copay with most insurance plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Net, Humana, Medicare and UnitedHealthcare. There are no membership or other fees, and many insurance companies are currently waiving copays completely for telemedicine.
“Circle Medical is taking its high-quality approach to primary care and scaling it nationwide using video,” said Kevin Grumbach, MD, chair of the UCSF Department of Family and Community Medicine. “This expands access to care at a time when the country needs it the most.”
Patients can continue seeing the same provider via video using Circle Medical’s HIPAA-compliant mobile app, which also coordinates care with labs, pharmacies and specialists located close to where they live.
In addition, Circle Medical has built a trusted referral network of specialists in areas such as ophthalmology, dermatology, gastroenterology, mental health and orthopedics who are able to see patients via video.
About Circle Medical
Circle Medical is a rapidly growing full-stack primary care practice that builds technology to make quality, delightful primary care accessible at scale. Circle Medical is affiliated with UCSF and backed by Y Combinator, A.Capital and Collaborative Fund. The practice is in network with all PPO and most HMO insurance plans without charging membership or additional fees. New patients can book online at http://circlemedical.com/
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