(Tacoma) Tacoma-based CHI Franciscan Health has announced that it is expanding Virtual Urgent Care to serve patients in the service areas of Bremerton’s Harrison Medical Center and Burien’s Highline Medical Center. Virtual Urgent Care allows patients to receive care 24/7 via phone, webcam, smartphone, tablet or PC.

CHI Franciscan Health affiliated with Harrison and Highline in 2013. The expansion will bring Virtual Urgent Care to patients on the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas as well as north into King County.

“The expansion of Virtual Urgent Care is an important part of our goal to create accessible, reliable consumer-focused heath care options for our patients,” said Mark Adams, MD, Chief Medical Officer, CHI Franciscan Health. “Expanding Virtual Urgent Care to our Harrison and Highline service areas helps us ensure that all our patients are free to decide how, when and where they access their medical care.”

Patients using Virtual Urgent Care have access to board-certified doctors and nurse practitioners any time day or night, who can offer diagnosis, prescriptions and even set up in-person follow-up appointments. At $35 per visit, Virtual Urgent Care is also less expensive than the typical office or emergency room visit.

“It’s amazing how simple using Virtual Urgent Care is,” said patient Kathryn Crofts of Bonney Lake. “It’s a huge hassle to be ill and have to drag yourself to the emergency room or a doctor’s office. With Virtual Urgent Care, I can talk to a physician, tell them my situation and get their recommendations within minutes. They can even call in your prescriptions for you.”

Virtual Urgent Care was initially introduced to Franciscan patients in September 2013. Since launch, CHI Franciscan estimates that the service has saved patients more than $600,000 compared to the cost of seeking care at an emergency department, urgent care or primary care provider or clinic.

“Virtual Urgent Care doesn’t replace our clinics or hospitals, but it makes the health care process more efficient and convenient for patients,” added Adams. “Virtual Urgent Care can be there when the flu strikes at 2:00 a.m., a nasty cough develops on a business trip, or a camping trip is interrupted by a spider bite.”

For more information on Franciscan Virtual Urgent Care, visit www.franciscancarenow.org.