Nephrology Telemedicine Services

Nephrology telemedicine services — also known as telehealth or virtual care — allow people with kidney disease to receive convenient online care from their nephrologist during a video visit.

Our providers are experienced in managing a variety of conditions using telehealth technology. This technology enables them to deliver the care you need while you stay in the comfort and privacy of your home.

About Nephrology Telemedicine Services

Video visits provide a convenient and secure method for receiving care through a live video conversation with a UPMC nephrology provider. Whether you have a new problem or need follow-up care, our team can provide the telehealth services you need.

All you need to start your scheduled video visit is:

• An internet connection.
• A smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera.
• Access to your UPMC patient portal account. Not sure which portal your provider uses? Call your provider’s office to confirm before you start your video visit.

Benefits of Nephrology Telemedicine Services

We understand that living with kidney disease can be challenging — especially when you need to travel to appointments and take time away from your job or other activities to receive nephrology care. 

To make nephrology care more convenient, we offer nephrology telemedicine services that are designed with you and your busy lifestyle in mind.

Benefits of nephrology telemedicine services include:

• Care from the comfort of home — After you schedule your appointment, you don't have to worry about taking time off work, arranging childcare, or getting stuck in traffic.
• Easy scheduling — With everything just a click away, scheduling video visits through your UPMC patient portal has never been easier.
• Shorter wait times for appointments — You'll wait less time to get an appointment, even for specialized care.

Who Can Use Telemedicine?

You may be eligible to use telemedicine services if you:

• Are a new patient who needs to establish care with a nephrology provider.
• Have a new, nonemergency problem or symptom.
• Have questions about your treatment plan, medications, or symptoms.
• Need medication refills.
• Need routine follow-up care.

What to Expect During Your Video Visit

Before your video visit

You will need to do a few things before your video visit, including:

• Download one of our free UPMC patient portal apps for your video visit. You can sign up for an account through the app if you don't have one yet.
• Schedule your video visit the same way you do an in-person visit. You may be able to call your provider’s office or schedule an appointment through your patient portal.
• Provide your name, address, phone number, and insurance information to your provider’s office when scheduling your appointment.
• Provide test results, medical records, and an insurance referral from your primary care provider if needed.

If you need to cancel your online visit, you can call your provider’s office or cancel through your UPMC patient portal.

During your video visit

Just before your visit, you will log into your UPMC portal account and click the link to start your video visit. Be sure to use your phone, tablet, or computer with a camera to meet with your UPMC care provider.

You may need to wait a few minutes for your provider to join your video call. After your provider joins, you and your doctor can talk to and hear each other so you can ask and answer questions. The camera allows your provider to view areas of your body, such as an incision. They can also order prescriptions, tests, and treatments.

After your video visit

You will receive a care summary in your UPMC portal.

If needed, your doctor will provide instructions for:

• Follow-up care.
• Medication changes.
• Scheduling in-person visits, tests, and treatments.

If you have follow-up questions, you can message your provider through the patient portal.

Insurances Accepted

UPMC accepts many health insurance plans. You should contact your health insurance plan to ask if they cover or reimburse UPMC for video visits.

Why Choose UPMC for Nephrology Telemedicine Services?

When you choose UPMC for nephrology telemedicine services, you will receive:

• Access to world-class nephrology expertise — Our world-renowned experts treat the full spectrum of kidney diseases and related symptoms using the latest diagnostic and treatment techniques.
• A full range of treatment options — We'll work with you to develop a treatment plan that slows the progression of your disease as much as possible and improves your quality of life.
• Multidisciplinary care — If you need advanced kidney treatment, we partner with special dialysis clinics, experts in supportive care, and kidney transplant surgeons.

By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-04-24.