PlushCare Adds End-to-End PrEP Treatment to Online Urgent Care Offering
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- PlushCare, the direct-to-consumer online urgent care provider, today announced the launch and availability of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) therapy for prevention of HIV in all states where PlushCare is available. In addition, the company announced that it is expanding its service offering from 17 to 31 states, making it the largest of any telehealth provider to have a PrEP program. The comprehensive end-to-end treatment, complete with consistent online doctor visits, regular lab testing and prescriptions, is a massive step towards lowering and preventing HIV infections in the US. With PlushCare's PrEP treatment program, patient location and social stigma are no longer barriers to receiving PrEP treatment from top-tier physicians.
"Until now, access to PrEP in most places has been severely lacking, due to social stigma and lack of education among patients and physicians alike. In fact, according to the CDC, 1.2 million people are at greatest risk for HIV, yet only 79,000 actually take the drug," said Dr. James Wantuck, MD, co-founder and chief medical officer of PlushCare. "We are changing this reality. PlushCare is in a unique position to do so and is making a once devastating and taboo medical issue manageable for all."
A physical visit to a doctor is not required for PrEP, but regular conversations with a doctor and frequent lab testing are critical - a perfect use for virtual care. Patients first enroll in the PlushCare PrEP treatment program, then have a virtual visit with a PlushCare physician to ask questions and determine their eligibility, and have lab testing ordered. Once the labs return, a Truvada (the medicine for PrEP) prescription is issued if the patient meets the clinical criteria. Patients will pick up a 90-day supply of Truvada at their preferred pharmacy, and PlushCare will remind patients when it's time to repeat their lab testing and have a visit with their PlushCare physician to discuss continuing treatment.
"When it comes to PrEP treatment, the need for a genuine and trusted patient-physician relationship has never been more important. We provide patients who need PrEP a safe and private service that they can consistently return to for trusted guidance, advice and treatment," said Ryan McQuaid, co-founder and CEO of PlushCare. "As patients' needs change, PlushCare adapts with them, which is critical for a high-quality healthcare experience."
In the US, PrEP is considered a safe and cost-effective standard of care regimen for people who meet criteria. PrEP is widely and enthusiastically embraced by the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, National HIV / AIDS Strategy, various state and city departments of public health and HIV / AIDS nonprofits around the country. As a result, insurers readily pay for PrEP and PlushCare will assist with all necessary prior authorizations and insurance paperwork for insured patients.
"Eliminating poor health as a barrier to achieving one's dreams is our mission at PlushCare," said Dr. Wantuck, MD. "Providing easy, personalized access to PrEP to prevent HIV is just one step along the way."
If a patient is already on PrEP, PlushCare's PrEP treatment program offers a more personalized and convenient way to access PlushCare's knowledgeable and trusted physicians, saving time and money on visits to a clinic or doctor's office.
"With PlushCare, patients experience the most human way to visit the doctor where genuine and trusted relationships are formed, even more so than they are used to during in-person visits that are often rushed," said McQuaid. "This connection adds a layer of comfort and trust, while delivering the highest level of care and treatment possible.
Previously, PlushCare was available in 17 states (Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington). With this news, PlushCare adds service to 14 more states including Alabama, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
To enroll in PlushCare's PrEP program, please visit prep.plushcare.com or call 888-798-0620 to book a PrEP doctor consultation.
For more information about PrEP, please visit: https://www.plushcare.com/blog/plushcare-prep-faq/ and https://www.plushcare.com/blog/plushcare-why-prep-telemedicine/.
About PlushCare
PlushCare is the direct-to- consumer, telehealth company that connects doctors from the top 50 medical institutions in the United States with patients via desktop or mobile devices. Patients can get diagnosed, treated, and prescribed medication (or order lab testing) via their mobile device. The unique combination of world-class physicians, on-demand lab testing, affordable pricing, and same-day appointments with the patient's choice of provider, make PlushCare the best-in- class platform for telehealth. For more information on PlushCare, visit the website, Twitter and Facebook and download the PlushCare mobile app for iOS and Android.
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SOURCE PlushCare
