Christine Lotyczewski is a public health nurse with Ontario County and, as a medical professional, became particularly intrigued when Excellus BlueCross BlueShield launched its Telemedicine health benefit for county employees in 2016.

“I was eager to try it out and see what it was like,” Lotyczewski says.

She found her opportunity when paronychia, a stubborn and uncomfortable infection of the nail cuticle, appeared on her toe.

Lotyczewski knew something was wrong with her cuticle but, like many people, she hesitated to call her primary care physician. She knew it would take some time to get an appointment, and her work schedule makes it difficult to see her doctor. She also knew if she visited urgent care or the emergency room, she’d be waiting for hours.

“I wasn’t in acute pain or having trouble breathing,” says Lotyczewski. “I’d be low priority in triage.”

Telemedicine was the ideal option. With an affordable $10 co-pay for the phone call, Lotyczewski figured it was the perfect time to try it out.

Lotyczewski was attempting to register for Telemedicine using her smart phone, but the small screen made the initial sign-up a little slow. When she accidentally hit an icon to signal she needed help, the mistake worked in her favor. She instantly received a phone call from a representative who helped input her personal information, including her insurance.

She recommends using a computer or tablet, but users can also simply phone the call center to get in contact.

Lotyczewski was impressed she was given the ability to make an informed decision about the available providers and select the physician of her choice. She was also pleasantly surprised to learn she could choose between a consultation over the phone or a live video stream. The live stream option required downloading an app, which didn’t deter her from using it, but she was at work and didn’t want her coworkers to see her infected toe during lunch. Instead, she took a picture of her toe and uploaded it to her medical file. This enabled her physician to assess her condition in real-time.

In Lotyczewski’s professional opinion, the physician asked thorough diagnostic questions. She was prescribed an appropriate antibiotic, and the medicine was sent to her preferred pharmacy within an hour.

“Theoretically, you could see a provider and pick up your prescription within your lunch hour,” she says.

Christy Richards, public health educator with Ontario County Public Health, had a similar positive telemedicine experience when she had a sinus infection.

“I have sinus infections often and usually suffer for a month or two before seeing a doctor,” Richards says.

Richards found the Telemedicine registration process to be easy, and scheduled a time she would be available for the physician to call her. Like Lotyczewski, she appreciated having each physician’s bio available so she could make an informed choice.

“I felt like my provider really listened to me and asked key questions,” she says. “He shared my concerns and verbalized why my illness justified the use of an antibiotic.”

Richards and Lotyczewski summarized their experiences as quick, inexpensive, convenient and trustworthy. Lotyczewski advises people to try Telemedicine with something minor and non-stressful as an introduction to the process. Richards cautions it isn’t meant to replace a primary care physician entirely, but can enhance your access to health care.

“Telemedicine is definitely the way of the future,” Lotyczewski says. “I see it expanding for sure. It’s so interesting and helpful. Definitely worth it to try it out.”