Virtual Care
On Demand Care: Get Diagnosed and Treated in Minutes for Minor Illnesses
Get On Demand Telehealth Care When You Need It Most
When you’re sick, going to the doctor’s office or urgent care seems impossible. Now you don’t have to go anywhere.
- See a CHRISTUS provider, often in under 30 minutes.
- Cost without insurance is $30.
- Care for patients 5 years old and older in Texas and Louisiana.
- Open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day, including holidays.
If you are experiencing shortness of breath, chest pain, or symptoms of a stroke — such as sudden numbness, confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty walking — call 911 immediately or go to your nearest emergency room.
What is Virtual Urgent Care?
CHRISTUS On Demand Care allows you to meet with a CHRISTUS Health board-certified provider through live video from your smartphone, tablet or computer for your urgent care needs. A virtual visit is an easy, convenient and secure live video visit with your provider.
Virtual visits offer the same high-quality care that you would expect from an in-person visit without requiring you to leave your home or office.
How Does the Virtual Urgent Care Process Work?
You can get care fast without leaving home. So how does virtual urgent care work? You connect with a trusted CHRISTUS provider through a secure video visit, where they listen, guide you, and help you feel better.
1. Start your visit online through the CHRISTUS website or your MyCHRISTUS account.
2. Join the queue and wait briefly for the next available provider - often in under 30 minutes.
3. Connect by video and talk one-on-one with a CHRISTUS clinician about your symptoms, just like an in-person visit.
4. Get a care plan, next steps and prescriptions if needed, with guidance on follow-up care or in-person visits.
Symptoms and Conditions Treated With On Demand Care
- Allergies
- Bites and stings
- Bladder or urinary tract infections
- Bronchitis
- Cold sore
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Hives
- Nausea/vomiting
- Non-emergency COVID-19 care
- Pink eye/stye
- Poison ivy Rash
- Seasonal flu
- Sinus infections
- Sore throat
- Upset stomach
When Should I Make an In-Person Visit to Urgent Care?
Virtual urgent care is a convenient option, but some symptoms need hands-on evaluation or immediate treatment in person. You should seek in-person care when a provider needs to examine you physically, run imaging or lab tests, or treat something more serious. If symptoms feel severe, worsen quickly, or do not improve, it is safer to be seen face to face. In emergencies, always go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.
- Chest pain or trouble breathing
- Severe abdominal pain
- Head injuries or loss of consciousness
- Broken bones, deep cuts or injuries needing stitches
- Burns or serious wounds
- High fever in infants or persistent high fever
- Severe allergic reactions (swelling, difficulty breathing)
- Conditions needing imaging (X-ray, CT scan) or in-person testing
- Symptoms requiring a physical exam (e.g., severe ear pain, concerning rashes)
- Ongoing or worsening symptoms that do not improve with virtual care
How Does Billing & Insurance Work When Taking a Telehealth Urgent Care Appointment?
You can expect clear, upfront pricing when using virtual urgent care. Many visits have a flat fee (often around $30 without insurance), and costs may be lower than in-person urgent care or emergency room visits.
Most major insurance plans are accepted, and you can typically pay with a credit or debit card if paying out of pocket. To confirm coverage, check with your insurance provider or verify whether CHRISTUS is in-network before your visit, so you understand your benefits and any potential out of pocket costs.
What patients are saying
"This was my very first "tele-conference" appointment. It was seamless. Highly recommend the tele-doc service and the practice."
"It was quick. I really enjoyed the ease of being able to use this and speak to a clinician over the phone. It was INCREDIBLY helpful. Especially for someone unable to go into a doctor's office."
"This was by far the best telehealth visit process. This was my first time doing this with CHRISTUS and I was pleasantly surprised it was so quick and easy to navigate."
Differences of On Demand Care From Primary Care Physician Virtual Visits
On Demand Care is specifically for your urgent care needs and allows you to be placed in a queue to be seen by a CHRISTUS board-certified provider right away (with minimal wait time of no more than 30 minutes). You will see the first provider that is available, not your primary care physician.
If you have a CHRISTUS Primary Care physician, you continue to have the ability to schedule a virtual visit directly with that provider through your MyCHRISTUS account’s direct scheduling process, or by searching for them through our Find a Doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Virtual Care
Add an FAQ section to address common patient questions, such as:
Does Medicaid cover virtual urgent care?
Check your Medicaid benefits or contact your provider to confirm if virtual urgent care visits are covered.
Does Medicare cover virtual urgent care?
Medicare may cover certain telehealth services, but coverage depends on your plan and eligibility. Review your benefits or call your plan to understand your costs before your visit.
Can I get a prescription virtually?
Yes, when appropriate. Your provider can send a prescription to your preferred pharmacy after your visit.
Can I get a doctor's note?
In many cases, yes. Your provider can determine if a doctor's note is appropriate based on your symptoms and visit.
Are there any age restrictions for virtual care?
Yes. Virtual care is generally available for patients age 5 and older.
