Accessing medical care doesn't always require driving to a clinic or sitting in a waiting room. Through the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network, patients can use Froedtert MyChart to connect with providers online, manage appointments, and handle routine health needs from home. Whether you need an immediate consultation for a minor illness or a scheduled check-in with your primary doctor, understanding how these virtual options work saves time and streamlines your care.
Telehealth services through Froedtert & MCW span several formats, including on-demand virtual clinics, scheduled video appointments, and asynchronous e-visits. Each option serves a distinct purpose, has specific technical requirements, and operates under different pricing or insurance structures.
Understanding Froedtert Virtual Care Options
Froedtert & MCW structures telehealth into three main categories. Choosing the right path depends on your symptoms, schedule, and whether you are an established patient within the network.
On-Demand Virtual Clinic
When you need fast treatment for minor conditions like a cold, flu, mild rash, or urinary tract infection, the Virtual Clinic provides immediate access to a clinician.
- Availability: Open daily (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and weekends from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
- Cost: Standard flat fee of $49 per visit. Most major insurances are accepted, and payments are typically eligible for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) or Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
- Requirements: You do not need to be an existing Froedtert patient, but you must be physically located within the state of Wisconsin during the visit.
Scheduled Video Visits
If you want to see your regular primary care doctor or a specialist without traveling to a physical office, you can book a scheduled video visit.
- Availability: Conducted during normal clinic hours.
- Cost: Billed similarly to a standard in-person office visit, depending on your insurance coverage.
- Requirements: Open to both new and existing patients. You'll need an active MyChart account and the Froedtert & MCW mobile application or a supported computer browser.
E-Visits for Asynchronous Care
For straightforward health concerns that don't require a live video call, e-visits allow you to submit an online questionnaire through MyChart.
- Process: Log into MyChart, navigate to the e-visit section, and complete a detailed symptom questionnaire. A provider reviews your responses and replies via a secure message within a few hours.
- Availability: Submissions are open 24/7, with clinical reviews handled daily between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Requirements: Restricted to established patients with a Froedtert & MCW primary care doctor.
Setting Up Your Froedtert MyChart Account
Before starting any virtual visit, you must set up and configure your patient portal profile. The portal acts as the secure hub for your medical records, test results, and telehealth connection links.
- Download the Official App: Install the Froedtert & MCW app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. While web browsers work, the mobile app provides the most reliable video connection.
- Activate Your Account: If you received an activation code from a recent clinic visit, use it to register. Otherwise, choose the self-signup option on the Froedtert Patient Portal to verify your identity using personal information.
- Complete PreCheck-In: Prior to a scheduled virtual appointment, use MyChart to update your insurance details, medications, and contact information, minimizing wait times.
Step-by-Step: How to Launch a Video Visit
Technical glitches can disrupt a telehealth appointment if you aren't prepared. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth connection:
- Test Your Technology: Ensure your device has a working camera, microphone, and a stable internet connection. If using a desktop computer, download the latest desktop client for Zoom if prompted.
- Log In Early: Open the Froedtert & MCW app or log into MyChart roughly 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
- Verify Your Location: Due to state medical licensing laws, you must confirm that you are physically within the borders of Wisconsin at the time of the call.
- Have Documents Ready: Keep a government-issued photo ID and your insurance card nearby to expedite the check-in process.
- Receive Your Care Plan: Once the clinician concludes the video evaluation, any necessary prescriptions are sent electronically to your preferred pharmacy. Follow-up instructions appear directly in your MyChart inbox.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Navigating digital healthcare platforms is usually straightforward, but a few common missteps can cause delays or canceled appointments:
- Using Web Browsers on Mobile Devices: Trying to open a telehealth video feed through a mobile phone web browser often triggers compatibility errors. Always use the dedicated Froedtert & MCW mobile app for phone or tablet visits.
- Traveling Out of State: Because physicians are licensed locally, telehealth appointments will be canceled or restricted if the system detects you are outside Wisconsin.
- Confusing E-Visits with Live Video: Expecting an immediate face-to-face conversation through an e-visit will lead to frustration. E-visits are text-based questionnaires reviewed asynchronously by a clinician.
- Neglecting Proxy Access Rules: Trying to submit an e-visit or schedule a video call for another adult through your personal MyChart profile violates privacy protocols. Set up proper proxy access beforehand if you manage healthcare for a dependent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Froedtert virtual care providers prescribe medications?
Yes. If your clinician determines that a prescription is clinically appropriate during an on-demand or scheduled video visit, they will electronically transmit the order to your designated pharmacy. However, e-visits generally cannot be used for routine prescription refills.
What happens if my virtual visit cannot resolve my issue?
If a clinician decides during the first few minutes of an on-demand visit that your condition requires physical diagnostic equipment or an in-person exam, they will direct you to an urgent care center or emergency room, and the standard fee is typically waived.
Can I use virtual visits for pediatric care?
Yes, parents or legal guardians can initiate on-demand video visits for children aged 18 months and older, provided the child is present during the evaluation. Caregiver proxy access also allows scheduling video appointments for minors through MyChart.
Are phone-only telehealth visits permitted?
No. Current regulatory guidelines in Wisconsin require video modality for telehealth appointments; telephone-only consultations do not meet the legal criteria for virtual patient evaluations.
