Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (SJMHS) and MDLIVE, the nation’s leading provider of virtual medicine services and software, today announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind service providing virtual real-time physician appointments 24 hours a day, seven days a week across Michigan.  This service for southeast Michigan residents will be led by St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland and St. Mary Mercy Livonia hospitals and will be available in west Michigan through Mercy Health.

MDLIVE is a secure, HIPAA-compliant, confidential telemedicine service that offers patients affordable and convenient virtual consults with an expert, board-certified physician via secured live streaming video, telephone or mobile app. Patients are connected with a SJMHS or MDLIVE physician who can evaluate their health concerns, offer advice and, if necessary, send prescriptions directly to their preferred local pharmacy (exclusions apply).

"Today's patients are accustomed to immediate access and connectivity through technology, and we in the health industry want to provide that same level of real-time connection in the field of medicine," said Dave Spivey, president and CEO, St. Mary Mercy Livonia.

SJMHS and MDLIVE physicians are board-certified in a variety of specialties, including family practice, internal medicine and pediatrics, and are licensed to treat or consult on a wide range of medical conditions and common ailments including ear infections, fevers, rashes, respiratory infections and more.

To ensure continuity of care, patients may choose to authorize their "online" physician to send information about their telemedicine visit directly to their primary care physician, specialists and/or other designated health care specialists.

"Our partnership presents a unique opportunity to redefine how patient care is delivered," said Jack Weiner, president and CEO, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland. "MDLIVE is not a replacement for routine checkups or screenings with a primary care physician or specialist. Rather, the service provides access to round-the-clock care when a patient needs to be seen right away or doesn't want to sit in a waiting room.  Like a house call, this offers an option for patients to have their needs met in the comfort of their own home."  

SJMHS's relationship with MDLIVE is another example of its commitment to advancing the use of technology and improving access to care.  St. Joseph Mercy Oakland is a leader in telemedicine as the founder of the Michigan Stroke Network, acollaborative of more than 30 hospitals, including St. Mary Mercy Livonia, working together to deliver the most comprehensive stroke care in the state of Michigan. Participating hospitals use a network of telemedicine robots to access neuro-endovascular specialists at a moment's notice to ensure stroke patients receive the most comprehensive stroke care available.

“We’re excited to bring MDLIVE’s virtual connected care into the state of Michigan through established hospitals such as St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland and St. Mary Mercy Livonia,” said Randy Parker, CEO of MDLIVE. “This partnership further demonstrates our mission to give patients access to the best quality virtual medical care across the country. Saint Joseph Mercy Health System has the framework in place to deliver telemedicine and we look forward to growing this partnership in the future.”
MDLIVE is offered risk-free for 30 days. Starting at $49, the cost to access the "virtual office visits" is comparable to traditional office deductibles.  A free MDLIVE app is currently available for iPhone and iPad through the Apple App store.  An app for the Android device is now available on Google play.

Learn more at MDlive.com/Stjoeshealth and click "Get Started."