In-store Health Stations now offer access to board certified doctors

for the treatment of non-emergency medical issues

SCHENECTADY - Marking an advancement in public access to healthcare, five of Price Chopper’s 20 free-standing health stations will be testing a new telemedicine program that allows customers to get a live, private consultation via videoconference with a board certified physician who can help diagnose and treat minor illnesses.  The five pilot stores are in Johnstown, NY (North Comrie Ave.), Poughkeepsie, NY (2585 South Road), Bennington, VT (214 Northside Drive), Glenmont, NY (329 Glenmont Road) and Fulton, NY (12 W First Street, South).

Working in partnership with CSI (Computerized Screening, Inc.), which provides the in-store Health Stations for Price Chopper and Market 32, and now Doctor On Demand, the leading video telemedicine provider, customers will now have immediate access to board certified physicians 24/7.  Doctor On Demand physicians are able to diagnose, advise, treat symptoms and prescribe medications for a wide range of common non-emergency medical issues including cold, flu and respiratory symptoms, sinus infections, pink-eye, and skin and rash issues.

“This enhancement provides our customers with immediate access to a qualified physician within the comfort and convenience of our pharmacy and health and wellness offerings.  If this technology meets the needs of the modern customer as national trends have indicated it might, then we’ll extend similar access to our other health stations in the future,” said Kathy Bryant, vice president of pharmacy for The Golub Corporation.  “We’re always looking for progressive ways to broaden our spectrum of goods and professional services in making health care more accessible to our customers.”

“Doctor On Demand is excited to partner with Price Chopper and CSI to offer immediate access to our service,” said Adam Jackson, co-founder and CEO of Doctor On Demand. “We started Doctor On Demand to provide the most convenient access to some of the best physicians in the country. Through this partnership, we can now help even more Americans get the care they need, when they need it.”

The cost for the service will be $40 or less for a 15 minute consultation. Doctor On Demand has partnered with many insurance providers, so your plan may cover all or a portion of your visit. Following each video visit, patients will be provided a summary of the visit as part of an effort to facilitate follow-up and provide continuity of care with their primary physician. As part of an initiative to promote access to affordable health care, Doctor on Demand is extending a first visit free offer through April 14, 2016.

Telemedicine is one of the fastest growing areas of health care.  By 2018, the number of patients using telemedicine globally will increase to 7 million, up from less than 350,000 in 2013.  A recent study found that almost 75% of all doctor, urgent care, and ER visits are either unnecessary or could be handled safely and effectively over the phone or video (Sources:  IHS, Inc., American Medical Association and Wellness Council of America).

Customers shopping at the chain’s new Market 32 locations will have another innovative opportunity to get their blood pressure measured through PharmaSmart kiosk. This kiosk can measure a patient’s blood pressure and body mass index (BMI). Patient data can be displayed on the screen, a printed ticket or saved to a patient’s personalized and secure online blood pressure tracker. This kiosk does not offer telemedicine services. Market 32 pharmacists may be consulted for more information about this program.

“We believe that our customers are ready to test out this new technology, which improves the efficiency and availability of health care. As a retailer committed to helping people feed and care for themselves and their families, we’re pleased to be able to make it available in our stores,” said Bryant.