Infectious Disease Telemedicine Services at UPMC

Those who are waiting for a transplant or have recently had one can use UPMC telehealth services as well. Our transplant doctors offer consults and follow-up appointments online.

You or your doctor can request a transplant infectious disease telehealth appointment. Your doctor will decide if a video visit is right for you.

People with certain symptoms (e.g., a fever, a new rash, or a wound) will still need an in-person visit.

HIV-related telemedicine services can be accessed through video visits arranged on a free UPMC patient portal or by making an appointment at one of three outpatient telemedicine clinics. At these clinics, people with HIV are seen by a physician located in Pittsburgh through an audio-video interface and with the help of a trained nurse tele-presenter.

Outpatient telemedicine centers offering HIV telemedicine services:

• Altoona Intervention Project
• UPMC Bedford
• UPMC Outpatient Center at Westgate Plaza

People with HIV often receive both their primary care and HIV care from their HIV doctor.

Most people with HIV see their doctor twice a year to discuss:

• Prescribed drugs.
• Lab tests.
• Any other health concerns.

Video visits offer a convenient option for this ongoing care.

Doctors can order lab work and any other tests during the telehealth visit.

To have your lab work done, you can:

• Make an appointment at the PACT on-site lab.
• Go to any UPMC lab.
• Request the lab order by mail or online so you can take it to the lab you choose.

Here are some other ways we help via virtual care:

• Suffering side effects you can't tolerate.
• Needing a new HIV drug regimen.
• Discussing primary care issues, including any upcoming routine screenings you may need.
• Answering questions about diet.
• Offering routine mental health appointments. 

There are many benefits of online video visits:

• Receive high-quality care, even if you live far from Pittsburgh, lack your own transportation, or have trouble getting around.
• Save time driving to and from the clinic and finding parking.
• Avoid taking time off from work for an appointment.
• Avoid driving in bad weather.
• Save money in gas, parking, and meals.

People who get the most from telehealth visits with the UPMC Center for Care of Infectious Diseases include those who:

• Live far from Pittsburgh and don't have other access to infectious disease care.
• Don't have a way to get to the clinic for in-person care.
• Feel it's more comfortable and convenient to meet with their doctor in their own setting, such as at home.

UPMC mainly uses your patient portal for telehealth services.

Before your appointment, you should:

• Make sure you have a good internet connection and a fully-charged or plugged-in device.
• Log in about 15 minutes before to make sure your device works. Keep in mind your doctor may be running late just as sometimes happens during in-person visits. Plan for extra time in case your visit takes longer than expected.
• Sit in a quiet and private place with good lighting and a low chance of interruption.
• Place your camera or device at eye level so you and your doctor can see each other well.
• Wear something you can easily pull up or remove if you will need to show the doctor a rash or wound.

All UPMC telemedicine visits are HIPAA-compliant and use secure software to protect patients' privacy.

If you don't feel that you're tech-savvy or aren't sure how to use telehealth, you can call your doctor for help. In some rare cases, you may need to schedule an in-person visit.

UPMC accepts most health plans. Billing procedures for video visits change often.

If have any billing questions, call:

• UPMC Patient Financial Services Center at 1-800-371-8359.
• UPMC Customer Service at 1-844-591-5949.