Cottage Health offering free online COVID-19 diagnosis
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Are you starting to feel symptoms that could be COVID-19, but you're not sure where to turn for help? Cottage Health is now offering a free initial online diagnosis through its Cottage CareNow service.
Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough or shortness of breath) or upper respiratory symptoms (sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion), can visit Cottagehealth.org/carenow.
Again, it's a free service. There is a fee if it's non-COVID-19 related. Cottage will refer certain patients for an in-person evaluation when its clinically appropriate.
Anyone having severe breathing difficulties or a life-threatening emergency, should call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department immediately.
Cottage CareNow is available 24/7 and is accessible using a smartphone, tablet or computer. Patients enter their symptoms and health information, they can choose to have a Cottage Health provider review their results and respond with a treatment plan within an hour or request an immediate face-to-face video visit.
Anyone in California who is over 18 can create an account, and dependents can be included. Visits for children under 18 must be completed by a parent.
CareNow is staffed by Cottage Health nurse practitioners and Cottage Health credentialed providers. When appropriate, prescriptions are submitted directly to the patient’s preferred pharmacy.
If virtual care is not appropriate, the patient is not charged for the Virtual Visit and will be referred for an in-person evaluation. Cottage CareNow assists in connecting patients with a primary care physician if they do not currently have one.
The fee for non-COVID-19 related common conditions is $29 for an online interview or $39 for a video face-to-face visit, payable by credit, debit or health savings card.
