Expanded access to timely, convenient pediatric care 

If your child needs care and you can’t get a same-day appointment with your CHOP Primary Care doctor — or you don’t want to sit in an Urgent Care waiting room with other sick or injured kids — we now offer virtual Urgent Care for some kids in Pennsylvania. It’s part of a new pilot program that lets children who meet specific criteria get expert care from home. It’s especially helpful on busy evenings.  

What to expect from a virtual Urgent Care visit  

If your child is sick and you call your CHOP Primary Care office, a nurse will ask you questions to understand your child's symptoms and determine the best next step. In some cases, a virtual Urgent Care visit might be an option. If your child is eligible and you're interested, the nurse can help schedule your appointment. 

At the scheduled time, you and your child will join a virtual video call with a CHOP Urgent Care provider. The provider will discuss your child's health concerns, offer medical advice and recommend any next steps, including follow-up care if needed. If medication is needed, the provider can prescribe it during the visit. If lab work or imaging is needed and can’t wait until the next day at your CHOP Primary Care office, your child will be referred to the nearest CHOP Urgent Care location or the Emergency Department for evaluation.  

A summary of the visit will be sent to your CHOP primary care provider (PCP).   

Who is this program available to?  

This pilot is currently only offered to Pennsylvania CHOP Primary Care patients, Mondays and Tuesdays from 4 to 8 p.m. In the coming months, we plan to expand the program to more patients and also extend its operating hours.  

What makes a patient eligible for a virtual urgent care visit?   

A child may be eligible for a virtual Urgent Care visit if they meet the following criteria:  

• The medical issue is not life-threatening.
• The condition does not require urgent in-person testing or imaging.
• The concern is not related to behavioral or mental health.
• The child would otherwise need to be seen in person that day or the next day.
• The condition doesn’t require an in-person physical exam.  

How is the appointment billed?   

A virtual Urgent Care visit is billed the same as an Urgent Care visit. If it is determined during the virtual visit that in-person care is needed on the same day and you opt to go to a CHOP Urgent Care facility, you will not be charged a second co-pay. For more information about your specific co-pays, please contact your insurance company.