For medical and mental health emergencies: For serious or life-threatening health issues, call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately. This can include chest pain or heart attack symptoms, sudden or severe head pain or abdominal pain, loss of consciousness, poisoning, suicide attempts, uncontrolled fever or other potentially life-threatening conditions. Individuals experiencing crisis or suicidal thoughts should call 988 to be connected with a National Suicide Lifeline counselor. Find additional mental health resources.
Virtual Urgent Care
Virtual Urgent Care is available for individuals 2+ who are located in Iowa. Through a video visit, Virtual Urgent Care providers can diagnose, recommend treatment and prescribe medication for minor illnesses such as cold and flu, rashes, sore throat, headaches, allergies, UTI and more. Please know that wait times will vary based on the number of patients seeking care and their unique needs.
- Available every day, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Available on mobile, desktop or tablet devices with camera/video capability.
- Available to patients within the State of Iowa who are 2 years of age and older.
- Some conditions may only be treated virtually for certain age groups. Please see the FAQ to learn more.
- Insurance is accepted. Co-pays and coverages vary.
- Easily accessible through your MyUnityPoint account. Please note: A patient must schedule an appointment from their personal account or an approved proxy account.
- To access Virtual Urgent Care, log into MyUnityPoint or create an account. Click on "Virtual Urgent Care" in the dropdown menu.
| Condition | Virtual Urgent Care | SmartExam |
|---|---|---|
| Acne | ages 2+ | ages 2+ |
| Burn | ages 2+ | ages 2+ |
| Cold/flu | ages 2+ | ages 2+ |
| Cold sores | ages 13+ | ages 18+ |
| Constipation | ages 2+ | ages 18+ |
| Cough/upper respiratory infection | ages 2+ | ages 18+ |
| Diarrhea | ages 2+ | ages 18+ |
| Fever | ages 2+ | ages 18+ |
| Head lice | ages 2+ | ages 2+ |
| Heartburn | ages 2+ | ages 18+ |
| Headache/migraine | ages 18+ | ages 18+ |
| Joint pain | ages 2+ | ages 18+ |
| Rash | ages 2+ | ages 18+ |
| Red eye | ages 2+ | ages 2+ |
| Sinuses | ages 2+ | ages 2+ |
| Sore throat | ages 2+ | ages 18+ |
| Urinary tract infection (UTI) | ages 13+ (female only) | ages 18+ |
| Vaginal infection (yeast/bacterial vaginosis) | ages 18+ | ages 18+ |
| Vomiting | ages 2+ | ages 18+ |
Care in Wisconsin
UnityPoint Health - Meriter is a proud partner of UW Health, and we work closely together to offer healthcare services to our community. We encourage patients seeking Virtual Urgent Care to consider visiting UW Health Telehealth Services for more information on that option.
SmartExam
- Available every day, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Available on mobile, desktop or tablet devices.
- Available to patients within the State of Iowa who are 2 years of age and older.
- Within one hour, a provider reviews your information and will either send in a prescription or request that you be seen in person.
- Some conditions can’t be treated through SmartExam. Please see the FAQ to learn more.
- The cost is $30 per screening that is payable through credit/debit online only. Insurance is not accepted. You are not charged unless a diagnosis is made.
- Easily accessible through your MyUnityPoint account. Please note: A patient must schedule an appointment from their personal account or an approved proxy account.
- To access SmartExam, log into MyUnityPoint or create an account. Click on "E-Visit - SmartExam" in the dropdown menu.
Using this tool doesn't guarantee a patient will receive treatment or a prescription. If the tool determines your symptoms require in-person examination, a diagnosis and treatment plan will not be provided, and you will not be charged. In this situation, SmartExam will provide suggestions on where a patient should seek care.
| Condition | Virtual Urgent Care | SmartExam |
|---|---|---|
| Acne | ages 2+ | ages 2+ |
| Burn | ages 2+ | ages 2+ |
| Cold/flu | ages 2+ | ages 2+ |
| Cold sores | ages 13+ | ages 18+ |
| Constipation | ages 2+ | ages 18+ |
| Cough/upper respiratory infection | ages 2+ | ages 18+ |
| Diarrhea | ages 2+ | ages 18+ |
| Fever | ages 2+ | ages 18+ |
| Head lice | ages 2+ | ages 2+ |
| Heartburn | ages 2+ | ages 18+ |
| Headache/migraine | ages 18+ | ages 18+ |
| Joint pain | ages 2+ | ages 18+ |
| Rash | ages 2+ | ages 18+ |
| Red eye | ages 2+ | ages 2+ |
| Sinuses | ages 2+ | ages 2+ |
| Sore throat | ages 2+ | ages 18+ |
| Urinary tract infection (UTI) | ages 13+ (female only) | ages 18+ |
| Vaginal infection (yeast/bacterial vaginosis) | ages 18+ | ages 18+ |
| Vomiting | ages 2+ | ages 18+ |
Get Started
A MyUnityPoint account is required for Virtual Urgent Care and SmartExam. If you have an account, simply sign in on the app or at chart.myunitypoint.org, click on "Your Menu" at the top and select "Virtual Urgent Care" or "E-Visit - SmartExam" to get started.
If you do not have a MyUnityPoint account, go to chart.myunitypoint.org and click on "Sign up online" to register. Once registration is complete, you can follow the steps just above. You can log in using your browser or you can download the app by searching for "MyChart" and then selecting the "MyUnityPoint" version. Using the app is not required.
Please note: A patient must schedule an appointment from their personal account or an approved proxy account.
Our Virtual Care providers are only licensed to see patients in Iowa and cannot treat patients who are currently outside of the state. Patients in locations outside of the State of Iowa are encouraged to schedule an appointment with their primary care provider. For more urgent needs, visit your nearest walk-in care clinic.
Download the MyUnityPoint app
Download the free application from the iPhone App Store or Google Play. After downloading, select MyUnityPoint from the app's list of providers.
Support
Patients and family members with questions about Virtual Care with UnityPoint Health can call (833) 977-2800 to speak with a representative. Patients can receive assistance with MyUnityPoint account creation and questions related to billing, prescriptions and more.
FAQs
Virtual Urgent Care is billed similar to an in-person office visit. We encourage you to check with your insurance company on what virtual care/telehealth services are covered.
Virtual Urgent Care is a video visit with a provider to discuss your symptoms and possible treatment plan. No appointment is required, but appointment times are available for your scheduling convenience. Patients must be at least 2 years of age and have camera/video capability. Insurance is accepted.
Virtual urgent care and SmartExam are available to individuals ages 2 and older in the state of Iowa. Some conditions are not treated for certain age groups. Please see the commonly treated conditions list for more information.
The following conditions can only be treated through Virtual Urgent Care for select age groups:
- Cold sores – must be at least 13 years of age
- Headache/migraine – must be at least 18 years of age
- UTI – must be female and at least 18 years of age
- Vaginal infection (yeast/bacterial vaginosis) – Must be at least 18 years of age. STI/STD concerns may need in person evaluation.
Please note: Virtual Urgent Care can’t assess for inner ear infection. Patients will need in person evaluation.
SmartExam can only treat patients ages 2-17 for the following conditions:
- Acne
- Burn
- Head lice
- Red eye
- Upper respiratory infection
Virtual Urgent Care and SmartExam can’t:
- Treat emergent conditions including, but not limited to:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Severe pain, as narcotics/opioids will not be prescribed via virtual care
- Heavy bleeding
- Pregnancy related concerns
- Mental health concerns – Anxiety, depression, insomnia, etc.
- Car accident
- Refill medications
- Write work notes for more than 2 days
- Release you back to work from medical leave
- Fill out work compensation claims
- Prescribe medications for COVID-19
- Follow up on conditions that have already been evaluated through virtual care or in person
- Perform lab tests or x-rays
- Evaluate head injuries
Due to privacy laws, care can only be provided to an individual if the appointment is requested in their name, either through their own account or an approved proxy account. A parent/legal guardian must be present for virtual visits of patients under the age of 18.
To contact your virtual urgent care provider after your visit has ended, you can send a portal message in MyUnityPoint:
- Go to Main Menu
- Select "Message Center"
- Select "Send Message"
- Select "Ask a Medical question"
- If you agree to the disclaimer, select “I understand and want to send a message”
- Select “Visit Follow-up Question"
What Type of Appointment Do I Need?
Primary Care encompasses the comprehensive treatment of a number of diseases in symptoms and specialties including pediatrics, internal medicine and family medicine. Rather than specializing in one particular area of medicine, the physician is trained to meet all the needs of patients as one point of contact. Examples of symptoms and conditions treated by a primary care provider can include:
- Minor medical problems and injuries
- Physicals/Sports Physicals
- Medicine Checks
- Long Term Care
- Medication Refill
- Ongoing Symptoms (ex: Continued Back Pain)
- Care or Treatment Planning
- Disease Management
- Managing Existing Conditions (Migraines, Depression, Anxiety, Arthritis, etc.)
- Substance Abuse
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes and obesity
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Skin problems
Urgent Care and Express treat minor medical problems and injuries that are not life-threatening, but need the attention of a health care provider. These are not an alternative to the emergency room, but offer the ability to get walk-in care without an appointment for all patient ages. Urgent Care is available after hours, weekends and holidays. Our Urgent Care Clinics can provide medical treatment for minor illness and injuries such as:
- Allergies
- Burns
- Colds
- Coughs
- Cuts (Stitches)
- Earaches or Ear Infections
- Fevers
- Minor Medical Problems and Injuries
- Minor Eye Care
- Flu
- Fractures (X-Ray On-Site at Most Locations)
- Infections
- Sore Throats
- Sprains, Including Sprained Ankles (X-Ray On-Site at Most Locations)
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
- Yeast Infections
- Certain Rapid Tests
Please note: Flu shots, physicals and/or sports physicals are not offered at every walk-in care location.
*If you are experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath, please go to the Emergency Department or call 911 immediately. For less serious medical issues, such as physicals, medication refills or to leave a message for your primary care doctor, you can access your My UnityPoint patient portal 24/7!
Connect with a UnityPoint Health provider online using MyUnityPoint to access virtual urgent care or SmartExam. Virtual care doctors can diagnose, recommend treatment and prescribe medication when necessary for commonly treated conditions. Available every day, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for individuals 2 years and older located in the state of Iowa.
Virtual care should be used for minor, common ailments and illnesses. Some examples, and the qualifying age to receive virtual care or SmartExam for that condition, include:
| Condition | Virtual Urgent Care | SmartExam |
|---|---|---|
| Acne | 2+ | 2+ |
| Burn | 2+ | 2+ |
| Cold/Flu | 2+ | 2+ |
| Cold Sores | 13+ | 18+ |
| Constipation | 2+ | 18+ |
| Cough/Upper Respiratory Infection | 2+ | 18+ |
| Diarrhea | 2+ | 18+ |
| Fever | 2+ | 18+ |
| Head Lice | 2+ | 2+ |
| Heartburn | 2+ | 18+ |
| Headache/Migraine | 18+ | 18+ |
| Joint Pan | 2+ | 18+ |
| Rash | 2+ | 18+ |
| Red Eye | 2+ | 2+ |
| Sinuses | 2+ | 2+ |
| Sore Throat | 2+ | 18+ |
| Urinary Tract Infection | 13+ (female only) | 18+ |
| Vaginal Infection (yeast/bacterial vaginosis) | 18+ | 18+ |
| Vomiting | 2+ | 18+ |
Emergency rooms are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for severe or life-threatening conditions. Conditions that require ER care include excessive bleeding, broken bones, chest pain or trouble breathing. Emergency services include diagnostic testing and access to specialists.