A new test to detect preeclampsia was just approved by the FDA Read on to learn more about why this is a big deal!
Historically, the United States has more pregnancy-related deaths than other developed nations. And over the last two decades, that number has continued to rise—more than doubling since 1999.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are approximately 17.4 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, with causes ranging from heart complications like hypertension and preeclampsia to blood loss and post-surgical infections.
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related complication seen after 20 weeks of pregnancy. If a woman has preeclampsia during pregnancy, it usually shows up as high blood pressure (hypertension) and the presence of proteins in the urine.
This life-threatening condition puts both mom and baby at risk. For a pregnant mother, high blood pressure increases the risk of seizures and strokes that can cause permanent brain damage and may lead to death. For babies, this condition increases the possibility of placental abruption or preterm delivery, each coming with its own set of risks.
In the US, 1 in every 25 pregnancies results in a preeclampsia diagnosis–a shocking statistic that continues to increase.
Preeclampsia is diagnosed in pregnant women after 20 weeks gestation who present with hypertension along with at least one of these symptoms:
Regular blood pressure checks during routine prenatal visits is the first step to identify preeclampsia. Women with elevated blood pressure will be monitored more closely to determine individual risk level and treatment options.
When hypertension becomes a complication in pregnancy, doctors often order additional blood or urine tests to check for proteins, platelet counts, and other indicators of abnormal organ function.
Preeclampsia is a serious, life-threatening complication. Since preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related condition, the primary treatment option is to deliver the baby.
However, if the pregnancy is very preterm, early delivery can pose risks to the baby. Treatment plans might include close observation along with symptomatic treatment for preeclampsia to allow the pregnancy to continue.
The common theme with preeclampsia is that it’s not a very specific condition. While high blood pressure is a hallmark symptom, not all hypertensive pregnant women have preeclampsia. Other symptoms include headaches and dizziness, which are also non-specific symptoms of other conditions, including a healthy pregnancy.
Currently, less than 50% of severe preeclampsia cases are identified through traditional testing. For those patients with severe high blood pressure, the urine protein test can increase those odds up to 80%–but that still leaves a pretty big gap.
It’s often up to the keen eye of a watchful doctor and the self-reporting of the patient to raise the warning flag and warrant a closer investigation. However, a new blood test from Thermo-Fisher Scientific is helping provide a clearer picture with an astounding 94% accuracy rate.
A biomarker, or biological marker, is a general label for any biological attribute that can be identified and measured in a biological test of blood, urine, or other specimens. Most often, this is the presence or absence of a substance in the genetic material that indicates normal or abnormal biological function.
This test, specifically, measures a number of placenta-related proteins in the blood, providing results in a ratio format. This test is not a replacement for conventional testing but rather a supplement that helps doctors analyze risk levels for an individual patient.
The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved this blood test after seeing accurate results from a study of more than 700 patients in 18 separate hospitals. The test can effectively predict the onset of preeclampsia in high-risk patients within a two-week window.
This means the test can help doctors decide when it is safe to discharge pregnant patients hospitalized with hypertension–giving them a reliable tool to know who is safe to go home. This new blood test for preeclampsia is expected to have a positive impact, helping to reduce the maternal mortality rate in the United States.
The new preeclampsia blood test from Thermo-Fisher is a big step in the right direction for reducing the number of deaths from pregnancy-related complications. Many of these deaths result from cardiovascular stress, like pregnancy-induced hypertension. This test now helps doctors be proactive and identify patients who are most at risk of developing the condition.
Telemedicine practices are on the rise, revolutionizing the way healthcare is delivered. However, a recent survey reveals that 55% of physicians find a misalignment between their patients’ expectations and what can be achieved through a virtual care model.
My Virtual Physician (MVP) stands out as an innovator, sharing the belief that virtual care can accomplish more for patients than ever before. While some providers offer a hybrid care model combining virtual and in-person visits, a hybrid model alone may not provide comprehensive care.
Let’s compare My Virtual Physician against Doctor on Demand, another popular telehealth provider, to see where MVP is breaking barriers in virtual healthcare.
Doctor on Demand is an established telemedicine provider offering virtual visits to treat specific conditions for patients. While they offer some primary care services, their scope of services is limited. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of treatment options:
| My Virtual Physician | Doctor on Demand | |
| Allergies | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Earaches | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Cough, Cold, & Flu | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Sinus Infection | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Skin Rashes | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Pediatric Care | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Perinatal Care | ✔️ | ❌ |
| STD | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Women’s Health | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Irregular Periods | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Painful Periods | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Birth Control | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Infertility | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Menopause | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Acne | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Mobile Testing | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Medical Marijuana | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Mental Health | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Specialty Care | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Wound Care | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Chronic Condition Management | ✔️ | ❌ |
Doctor on Demand and My Virtual Physician are both complete care providers offering patients access to urgent care, primary care physicians, and pediatricians for online doctor appointments.
Another similarity between the two virtual providers is the availability of virtual and in-person visits. Doctor on Demand partners with certain facilities and helps patients find physical care providers.
My Virtual Physician, on the other hand, owns two clinics in Las Vegas with a care team employed on-site. They also provide virtual doctor visits to all 50 states offering a range from primary to specialty care physicians.
Doctor on Demand and My Virtual Physician appear to go toe-to-toe on paper until you start reading the fine print. That’s where MVP stands apart. My Virtual Physician is staffed with specialists, including:
And they are working to add even more specialist physicians for patients to have direct access to specialized care without a referral.
As far as pricing goes, Doctor on Demand comes with a bit of sticker shock. For a 15-minute virtual consultation for primary care, patients can expect to pay $79, while a 45-minute consultation with a Psychiatrist is nearly $300.
My Virtual Physician offers patients greater flexibility and a more straightforward pricing model. Visits are broken down into categories of acute, comprehensive, and specialty care. Depending on the nature of your visit, you’ll pay:
Reviews and ratings of telemedicine platforms provide valuable insights into patients’ experiences. Let’s address the elephant in the room between these two platforms. Doctor on Demand has a 1.5 rating on Trustpilot, indicating a significant number of negative experiences reported by users. Common complaints mention:
On the other hand, My Virtual Physician stands in stark contrast, boasting over 100 5-star reviews on Google. These positive ratings signify high satisfaction and appreciation from patients who have received care.
My Virtual Physician is no doubt the forerunner in revolutionizing healthcare through telemedicine, particularly for those in remote situations. They provide a total care approach for individuals with multiple chronic illnesses, using mobile teams of certified medical assistants (MA) and specialty physicians including OBGYNs, pediatricians, internists, and more.
This mobile team coordinates evaluations and consultations using an actual hybrid approach, where a medical assistant travels to the patient’s home with a tablet for video connections with doctors. The MA uses assistive technology to perform physical tasks such as:
Through the power of telemedicine, doctors can directly observe and supervise critical treatments, such as wound care, from the comfort of the patient’s own home. This convenient and inclusive approach breaks barriers ensuring individuals receive comprehensive care and specialized treatments regardless of their circumstances.
Doctor on Demand and My Virtual Physician both offer online telemedicine services, providing a range of treatment options and accessible healthcare services.
While Doctor on Demand caters to non-emergency medical conditions, mental health concerns, and general medical advice, My Virtual Physician takes it a step further by offering a more extensive and specialized approach to care.
The best thing about telemedicine is that patients can reach more providers now than ever possible before. This gives patients the power to choose from more than one provider for their healthcare needs. If you’re ready to check out what My Virtual Physician can do for you, our doctors are standing by to help.
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Pregnancy is a special time in a mother’s life, filled with joy, anticipation, and the wonder of bringing new life into the world. It’s a unique journey that holds the promise of creating a special bond with the unborn child, nurturing the baby’s growth, and preparing for the extraordinary process of childbirth.
During this period, expecting mothers deserve access to comprehensive and compassionate healthcare. But lately, access to prenatal and maternity care has faced some limitations. So, what’s an expecting mother to do when there are no OBGYN specialists staffed at the local hospital?
Limited access to appropriate OBGYN care has dampened this beautiful journey for some pregnant women, particularly in rural communities. Hospital closures have been a subject of concern and discussion for several decades. Still, the facts surrounding labor and delivery are a recent alarm.
In the last decade, over 200 medical facilities have eliminated their labor and delivery units, which has affected nearly 7 million women in the United States. This concerning trend can be attributed to several factors, including:
Regardless of the driving forces behind these decisions for closures, the implications can have severe consequences for expecting mothers and their babies in the affected areas.
While pregnant women may be the first to notice—it’s not just expecting mothers that are affected by the aftermath of labor and delivery unit closures. The change extends beyond mere inconvenience. Let’s look at how the community at large is affected by labor and delivery ward closures in hospitals.
Women with already high-risk pregnancies face additional risks during emergency situations. Longer transport times via ambulance can increase the risks associated with childbirth complications and may contribute to adverse outcomes and potentially life-threatening conditions.
The closure of labor and delivery units can place an increased burden on the remaining healthcare facilities, including hospitals and birthing centers. This strain can result in overcrowding, longer wait times, and compromised quality of care due to overwhelmed healthcare providers.
These closures may be disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations, including low-income individuals and those without access to reliable transportation. These groups face challenges in accessing appropriate obstetric care and may experience disparities in health outcomes as a result of local facilities closing in their local hospitals.
Telehealth and video appointments have gained significant popularity in recent years, transforming the way healthcare services are delivered. According to a National Health Interview Survey, nearly 40% of the population has used telehealth services in 2021.
Telehealth is the use of digital communication technologies to provide healthcare services remotely. Video appointments are a subset of telehealth and involve real-time communication between patients and physicians without having to physically travel to a brick and mortar location.
Telehealth and video appointments overcome geographical barriers, making healthcare services more accessible to people in remote areas. Patients can receive care and access specialized healthcare services seeking expert opinions and recommendations without the need for extensive travel.
Telehealth allows expecting mothers to receive quality and consistent prenatal care. Virtual doctor appointments for prenatal care enable healthcare providers to monitor pregnancy progress, identify concerns, and provide necessary guidance remotely. Virtual OBGYN appointments offer a significant advantage for women located in maternity deserts.
In cases of obstetric emergencies, telehealth can play a vital role in triaging and initial consultations. Through video appointments, healthcare providers can assess the severity of the situation and determine the need for immediate transfer to an appropriate facility that is equipped to handle emergencies.
While telehealth services offer valuable solutions—such as convenience and ensuring continuity of care, there are some limitations to consider in the context of labor and delivery. These limitations include:
Expecting mothers need to know that they can count on their OBGYN when they need them most. Considering the ongoing nationwide labor and delivery closures, telehealth serves as peace of mind for pregnant women during this unique time. Virtual doctor appointments allow for the opportunity for patients to address prenatal concerns with an online OBGYN while receiving reassurance along the pregnancy journey, despite the local hospital maternity ward closures.
As we navigate the reality of continuing labor and delivery closures, we embrace telehealth as an integral part of comprehensive prenatal care models. Telehealth visits provide access to quality care for all.
My Virtual Physician provides quality healthcare and supports expecting mothers regardless of physical proximity to a labor and delivery unit. If you’re an expecting mother dealing with maternity ward closures at your local hospital, consider your options when it comes to prenatal care and don’t rule out online OBGYN prenatal care. It’s a remarkable journey to bring new life into the world, let us help make it a positive one.
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There are nearly 10,000 medical cannabis cardholders in the Flickertail State. Last year, North Dakota made it even easier to get your medical marijuana ID card by cutting the registration fee in half.
Medical cannabis isn’t new to ND. It has been around since 2016. If you’re still unsure how to get your cannabis medical card, this article is for you.
This guide covers how and where to get a medical cannabis card in North Dakota. In this guide, My Virtual Physician outlines the steps to get your medical cannabis card if you’re living in North Dakota, what it will cost you, and how to apply.
Over 30 medical conditions are included in North Dakota’s qualified debilitating conditions list. You’ll want to make sure your condition is on the list before you begin the application process. Here’s the list of qualifying debilitating medical conditions in North Dakota:
If you suffer from any of the above conditions, you can qualify for a medical cannabis card in North Dakota. Proceed with the next steps to get your card for medical marijuana.
The process to get a medical card for cannabis is simple. You’ll need three things to get your card:
The first step to getting your medical cannabis card in North Dakota is to begin the registration process. You can do this by creating a new online account within the ND Health & Human Services portal website called BioTrackTHC. Click the blue “Create an Account” button to get started. Once you are logged in, you can begin the medical cannabis card application. Begin a new application on the “applications” tab.
Here’s a list of items and information you’ll need to complete your application:
*The healthcare provider that you list on your application will be the same doctor who will be providing the physician’s certification in the next step. You must have a bona fide patient-doctor relationship in order to proceed.
In North Dakota, bona fide provider means that you’ll need a physician that:
Your application will then go into a pending status until you fulfill the next step in the process: physician certification.
In North Dakota, a doctor’s evaluation is required in order to process your medical cannabis card application. This consultation visit allows your bona fide doctor to confirm your qualifying medical condition and certify his or her recommendation of medical marijuana as treatment.
Your doctor will be notified once you’ve submitted the patient portion of the medical cannabis card application (see step #1 above). There is not a paper physician certification in North Dakota and your doctor will complete his end of the process after your appointment.
Getting your medical cannabis card in North Dakota often requires two payments to two separate entities. For one, you’ll pay an application fee during the registration process. This charge was reduced to $25 in 2022.
The other payment will be made to your doctor for your consultation, which is required for physician certification. If you have a bona fide relationship already with My Virtual Physician, our current charge is $115 for this consultation service.
Cards are valid for one year and must be renewed on an annual basis with updated physician certification.
Don’t put your pain relief on hold any longer. Now that you know the steps to get your medical cannabis card in North Dakota, you can get started on your application today. Although My Virtual Physician may not qualify as your bona fide physician, we can assist you with finding relief for both chronic and acute health concerns. Book an appointment today to get back to feeling great!
Getting established with a new doctor can be intense. If you’re looking for an online doctor to supplement or replace your regular healthcare provider, you’ve got lots of options out there. With a sea full of telemedicine providers, how do you make sure that you’re picking the right one?
In this blog, we’ll compare some key points to know about My Virtual Physician vs Twentyeight Health. Here’s a side-by-side comparison.
| My Virtual Physician | Twentyeight Health | |
| Contraception | ✅ | ✅ |
| Herpes Treatment | ✅ | ✅ |
| Prenatal Vitamins | ✅ | ✅ |
| Covid Tests | ✅ | ✅ |
| Accepts Insurance | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ability to Self-Pay | ✅ | ✅ |
| STD Testing & Treatment | ✅ | ❌ |
| Fertility Testing & Diagnosis | ✅ | ❌ |
| Video Calls with Doctor | ✅ | ❌ |
| OB-GYN Specialists | ✅ | ❌ |
| Multiple Specialists | ✅ | ❌ |
| Primary Care Visits | ✅ | ❌ |
| Pediatric Visits | ✅ | ❌ |
| Pain Management Visits | ✅ | ❌ |
| Serves all Genders | ✅ | ❌ |
| Serves all 50 States | ✅ | ❌ |
| Brick-and-mortar hybrid clinics available | ✅ | ❌ |
| Annual Fee | ❌ | ✅ |
| Recurring Monthly Charges | ❌ | ✅ |
| Questionnaire Prescribing | ❌ | ✅ |
| Integrated Mail Order Pharmacy | ❌ | ✅ |
| Messaging Included with Annual Fee | ❌ | ✅ |
Twentyeight Health focuses on providing sexual and reproductive health prescriptions to women. Their offerings are limited to prescriptions for:
It works like this:
Twentyeight Health provides a hassle-free way for women to get certain prescriptions—but it certainly is not a full-service telemedicine provider, leaving men, women, and children to seek treatment and management of ongoing healthcare concerns elsewhere.
In some ways, Twentyeight Health is similar to My Virtual Physician. Both companies can provide patients with access to prescriptions for contraceptives, herpes treatment, prenatals, and covid tests.
Both My Virtual Physician and Twentyeight Health also offer affordable options for both insured and self-pay patients to get a physician’s prescription.
But the ability to prescribe a short list of reproductive medications and to offer similar payment methods is pretty much where the similarities end.
Now, let’s cover how Twentyeight is different from My Virtual Physician.
To be fair, we’ve got to give Twentyeight Health credit where credit is due. For patients who don’t really want to interact face-to-face with a video call, Twentyeight Health gives you that option to simply fill out a questionnaire and be on your way to getting your birth control or herpes treatment.
Twentyeight is also directly integrated with their partnered mail-order pharmacy. If you want your birth control or other monthly prescription delivered to your home without having to set it up with your own pharmacy—Twentyeight gives you that ability.
Lastly, while they don’t offer video calls, Twentyeight does claim to give you ongoing access to doctors if you have a question about your medication. Unlimited messaging is included with your annual fee for each prescription for up to a year.
Reviews on Trustpilot show that patients are mostly dissatisfied with Twentyeight’s responsiveness to customer inquiries. There are numerous complaints among the 95% 1-star reviews for the company which include:
The website does not provide a phone number and the company seems to only be available by text or email.
Patients looking for a full-service telemedicine provider can find it with My Virtual Physician. My Virtual Physician has multiple OBGYNs and other specialists and primary care physicians on staff, ready to consult directly with patients online via face-to-face video-conferencing.
Because we’re not simply writing prescriptions for contraceptives and a handful of other sexual health medications—My Virtual Physician is able to meet a wider range of healthcare needs and truly become your online doctor.
Here is a taste of the additional services that My Virtual Physician provides to patients, including men, women, and children in all 50 states:
>> Learn the difference between Acute, Comprehensive, and Specialty Visits <<
My Virtual Physician is a no-strings-attached online healthcare provider. You can simply book a one-time appointment with one of our board-certified physicians for a single low out-of-pocket cost. And if you have a good experience and need further healthcare guidance for the same issue or a new one in the future, our doctors are available for ongoing appointments at the same low rate. Don’t take our word for it, check out what our patients have to say about us in our reviews on Google.
Earlier this month, something big happened in Maryland. The Cannabis Reform Act was passed and is pending signature from the Governor. This new legislation expands the legal use of marijuana in the Free State to include adults over 21.
This isn’t Maryland’s first go-around with legalizing the plant for personal use. Medical cannabis has been legal in Maryland for nearly a decade.
If you’re wondering whether you should still pursue a medical cannabis card in Maryland, you’re not alone. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the differences between medical cannabis cardholder laws and recreational use in Maryland. And then, we’ll cover the process to get your card.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
With adult use cannabis being recently legalized, there will likely be a few kinks in the system to work out. Adult Marylanders won’t be able to purchase non-medical marijuana legally over the counter until July of this year. While you’re waiting, you might be considering whether a medical cannabis card is a better route to go.
The path for patients to obtain medical cannabis in Maryland has been established for quite some time (since 2014). And there are some advantages to getting your medical card for cannabis as opposed to relying on the new adult use law.
Check out the legal differences in the table below.
Medical Cannabis vs. Recreational
| Medical Marijuana Cardholder | Recreational Use (Adult Use) | |
| Effective Date |
|
|
| Quantity Allowed in Possession |
|
|
| Cultivation Allowed |
|
|
| Price and Taxes |
|
|
| Age Requirement |
|
|
A quick look at the numbers above shows that getting your medical card for cannabis in Maryland can pay off. With a medical cannabis card, you’ll have fewer restrictions on your possession limits and pay no tax on your medical marijuana.
If you’ve decided that you want to pursue a medical cannabis card in Maryland, the first step is to check whether your condition qualifies.
Maryland has approved the following debilitating medical conditions and symptoms that are deemed legal and appropriate to use medical marijuana for therapeutic relief.
Your doctor can also approve other chronic medical conditions if other treatments have been ineffective. If you qualify, continue reading to find out the steps to get your card for medical marijuana in Maryland.
The process to get a medical card for cannabis is simple. You’ll need three things to get your card:
The first step in Maryland to get your medical cannabis card is to begin the application process with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC). Start here to begin the application process in the OneStop online portal. You’ll need your approved application so that you can provide your patient ID number to your doctor during your appointment in the next step.
In Maryland, your regular (bona fide) doctor will need to provide written approval that certifies your medical condition. Check with your doctor to make sure they have an active registration with the Commission prior to your appointment. Then, schedule an appointment in person to get a doctor’s evaluation for medical cannabis in Maryland.
Your doctor will sign & complete a state-specific registration called the physician’s certification, which will allow you to pick up medical cannabis at a dispensary immediately after your appointment.
Paying for a medical cannabis card in Maryland requires two separate payments. One to the MMCC during the application submission, and a second payment to your medical provider. While medical provider costs vary and may be covered by insurance, the state fee is currently only $25 for patient registration and ID card.
While My Virtual Physician may not be able to certify you for medical marijuana as a Marylandian due to in-person visit requirements, we can help you manage your medical conditions and get symptom relief. Schedule an appointment today to see one of our board-certified physicians online.
For over a decade, Delawareans have had access to medical cannabis cards through the Delaware Medical Marijuana Act (2011). But do you know how to get yours?
If you’re suffering from a medical condition that can be alleviated by medical cannabis, you’re probably here to learn where to get a medical cannabis card in Delaware. And that’s why My Virtual Physician is here to share how it’s done.
This document lays out the steps for how to get your medical cannabis card as a Delaware resident.
Before we jump into the details of getting your medical cannabis card, first—let’s talk about what’s legal and what’s not at the state level.
Marijuana is only available and legal for Delawareans who have a valid medical cannabis card issued by the Office of Medical Marijuana (OMM). With a medical marijuana ID card, you may purchase a limited amount of cannabis from a state-licensed dispensary. Growing at home is not permitted.
Adult use, or recreational marijuana, is not legal. That means that if you want to use marijuana for medical symptom relief in your private home, you’ll need to follow the process laid out below in order to get legal approval.
Before starting the process to get your medical cannabis card, you’ll want to verify that you have a qualifying medical condition. The following debilitating medical conditions qualify in Delaware:
If your condition isn’t listed above, keep in mind that citizens can petition for additional debilitating medical conditions to be added to the list above.
If your medical condition is already on the approved list of qualifying medical symptoms, continue reading below to learn the next steps to get your card for medical cannabis in Delaware.
The process to get a medical card for cannabis is simple. Here’s an overview of the process to get started.
Seeing your doctor is the first step to getting your medical cannabis card in Delaware. Before you schedule your appointment, though—we recommend that you begin the portal registration process with the OMM division of the Delaware Health and Social Services.
Start here before your doctor’s appointment to register and get the physician certification form.
During your consultation visit, your doctor will complete his or her portion of the physician certification form (you will need to provide this form to the doctor). This certifies the physician’s recommendation of medical marijuana as a treatment for your medical condition, but ultimately it’s up to the state to approve or deny your application.
Delaware may require an in-person doctor’s visit with your bona fide doctor for this certification.
After your appointment, you’ll leave with the signed certification form that you’ll need to submit with your medical cannabis card application. You’ll need to complete the application process within 90 days.
With your signed physician’s certification, you can finish uploading documents and submit your application online with the Delaware Medical Marijuana Program portal. Alternatively, you can print a paper application to mail in. The state has 45 days to respond to your application.
New participants can access the portal here to begin the process. When you’re ready to renew your card, you can access the portal here.
Paying for your medical cannabis card is a two-step process. First, you’ll need to pay your doctor for the consultation required for physician certification. This payment is made directly to your provider. My Virtual Physician charges $115 for this type of appointment.
The second step to pay for your medical cannabis card is paying the registration fees to the state when you submit your application. The current fee for Delawareans is $50 ($25 for qualifying low income patients). That puts your total cost at around $165 per year since your medical cannabis ID card is only valid for one year in Delaware.
If you’re ready to get your medical cannabis card in the Diamond State, My Virtual Physician can help. First, you’ll need to establish a bona fide patient-doctor relationship. Then, we can begin the process to get your medical cannabis card.
With much of the United States legalizing the use of marijuana for medical use, Iowans may be wondering where the state stands in the debate. If you’re a Hawkeye looking for where to get a medical cannabis card in Iowa, we’ll cover what you need to know, including:
In this resource, My Virtual Physician lays out all the details around medical cannabis cards and answers the question: “Where can I get a medical cannabis card?”
Just over five years ago, Iowa passed the Medical Cannabidiol Act (2017). This provided a pathway for Iowans to get relief from medical symptoms by using certain approved products that contain CBD and THC. However, it did not fully legalize marijuana for cardholders.
Iowa’s medical cannabis law differs from most states because it only provides access to medical cannabidiol products. What is medical cannabidiol, you ask? Medical cannabidiol is a pharmaceutical-grade product derived from the cannabis plant. See the list of approved cannabidiol products in the next section.
This act gives patients who possess a medical cannabis card the ability to purchase a range of cannabidiol products at state-licensed dispensaries, such as:
Medical marijuana is not legal in its natural plant form in Iowa. That means that cardholders may not possess cannabis in leaf, flower, or any smokable marijuana. Edibles are also not legal in Iowa. Only the forms listed in the previous section are legal and available from Iowan dispensaries for those who have a medical card for cannabis.
If you’re a citizen of Iowa and want to know if you qualify for a medical cannabis card, you can verify your eligibility by reviewing the list of qualifying conditions below. The Medical Cannabidiol Act lists the following debilitating medical conditions:
If you suffer from any of the conditions or symptoms above, your condition qualifies. Next, we’ll cover the steps to get your card for medical cannabis in Iowa.
The Office of Medical Cannabidiol (OMC), part of the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, manages the issuance of medical cannabis cards in Iowa. To obtain your Iowa medical cannabis card, you’ll need to complete three steps.
Before starting the application process, the first step to getting your medical cannabis card in Iowa, is a consultation with your doctor.
In Iowa, your regular doctor must complete a physician certification form to document medical necessity and recommendation of medical cannabis for your particular health condition.
My Virtual Physician has primary care physicians that you can get established with in order to develop a patient-doctor relationship. Once established, our physicians can help with your medical cannabis consultation and certification for Iowa.
To begin the process, if you’re already a patient—fill out our online application to get your card now. Otherwise, reach out to us for your first visit to establish a patient-provider relationship.
Once you’ve completed the consultation process with My Virtual Physician, one of our Iowa-licensed physicians will complete the Healthcare Practitioner Certification Form and you can move on to step #2. Important: your physician certification form is valid for only 60 days once signed, so be sure to submit your application within that time period.
Once you have your Healthcare Practitioner Certification form in hand, signed by your doctor—you can begin the application process to get your medical cannabis card from the Iowa OMC. Here is a list of documents you’ll need to complete the application process:
When you’ve got these items in hand, apply here to start your medical cannabis card application online with the state’s secure portal. Applications can also be submitted by mail.
Paying for your medical cannabis card is a two-step process.
My Virtual Physician charges $115 for medical cannabis consultation visits and the current application fee in Iowa is $100 (or a $25 reduced fee if you participate in Medicaid or disability).
Since cards are valid for one year, that puts your total cost for a medical cannabis card in Iowa at $215 per year.
If you’re ready to take the first step to get your medical cannabis card in Iowa, start with My Virtual Physician. Get established with our doctors to manage your chronic pain or other medical concerns and set up your physician consultation with My Virtual Physician to get relief today.
Is the cost of your doctor appointments always a surprise? To a great degree, patients can feel like the pricing on their medical visits is kept secret until after the appointment—when the bill arrives at their doorstep. Luckily, there’s a way out of the mystery of medical consultation costs.
In this article, we break down different types of healthcare consultations and provide the cost of a typical My Virtual Physician appointment.
Many patients are taking back control of medical billing and saving on medical expenses along the way—through online virtual doctor appointments.
Online virtual doctors often provide more transparent pricing structures than traditional brick-and-mortar healthcare facilities. Instead of depending on insurance alone, telemedicine providers like My Virtual Physician take a different approach. They tend to structure the pricing based on actual time spent with each patient, with lower overhead, meaning less cost for each patient.
With virtual doctors, patients can see the cost of the visit before committing to an online appointment. But not all telemedicine appointments are created equally—some visits are very quick and simple, while others are more complicated.
In order to calculate your out-of-pocket costs for an online consultation at My Virtual Physician, you’ll need to determine the type of visit you need.
There are a few types of consultations that My Virtual Physician offers in their virtual doctor services for the majority of patients. Each type covers different complexities of the physician’s involvement in your care, diagnostics, and treatment plan.
The main appointment types include:
An acute virtual doctor visit covers up to 15 minutes of consultation with your online doctor, and the purpose is to address a single health concern. Typically, these concerns appear suddenly and are not part of ongoing long-term health problems.
Examples of medical conditions or needs that qualify for acute visits include:
Comprehensive visits cover more time-intensive appointments and those with complex health factors, such as long-term management of chronic conditions or diseases, or addressing multiple health concerns.
Chronic conditions are illnesses that have been ongoing or are anticipated to require long-term management (more than six months). Examples of chronic conditions include:
Annual exams and STD screenings are also categorized as comprehensive virtual doctor consultations because, on many occasions, lab work** is ordered—that requires the doctor to dedicate additional time to interpret and communicate the results.
All surgical-related appointments—whether post-surgical or initial surgical consultations—are deemed as a comprehensive visit type My Virtual Physician due to the seriousness and complexities of surgery.
My Virtual Physician began offering a third appointment type in 2023 for patients who want to get a medical marijuana card in their state. This consultation service includes a telemedicine appointment with one of our doctors, completion of a state-specific physician’s certification form, and electronic submission where applicable.
A virtual doctor appointment from My Virtual Physician can cost as little as $49.99 for acute visits, even for uninsured or self-pay patients. If you have insurance, your cost may be even less. And more complicated visits that require ongoing management, labs, and prescriptions, will naturally cost more.
Here’s a recap of the online visit types and costs available at My Virtual Physician:
No. The rates shown above cover the costs of the telemedicine visit only. Any lab work or prescriptions ordered during your appointment are not included in the appointment price since those services are fulfilled by a third party of the patient’s choosing.
*Communication of normal lab results is included in My Virtual Physician’s comprehensive visit fee. However, if you have any abnormal findings, a second comprehensive visit will be required in order to discuss the results and provide a treatment plan.
**Lab work is not included in the appointment consultation fee and is determined between the lab facility and the patient. Medications are also not included and are determined at the pharmacy of the patient’s choosing. Read more about your pharmacy options in our Guide to Self-Pay Prescriptions.
Oklahoma is the place to be!
If you’ve already figured that out and call Oklahoma home, you can add another sweetener to the list of reasons that Oklahoma really is the place to be. In 2018, Oklahoma created a pathway for patients to legally purchase, grow, and use marijuana for personal medical purposes.
If you’re an Okie looking for how to get a medical cannabis card in the Sooner State, you’re in the right place. In this guide, My Virtual Physician will lay out the steps you can take to apply for your medical marijuana adult patient license in Oklahoma.
Cannabis has become increasingly recognized for its pain-relieving, muscle-relaxing, and other therapeutic health benefits. While Oklahoma does not have a specific list of medical conditions that warrant medical cannabis approval, we can share common qualifying conditions from other states to give you an idea of what ailments your doctor may certify as appropriate for medical cannabis treatment.
Here is a list of common medical conditions that are accepted by most doctors for medical marijuana recommendation:
The above list is not exhaustive, and if you think your symptoms would benefit from medical cannabis but are not on the list above, Oklahoma has left the door open for your doctor to have the flexibility to determine appropriate recommendations.
Continue reading to learn what steps you need to take to get your cannabis medical card in Oklahoma. This guide covers how to get a medical cannabis card if you are 18 years or older and living in OK.
To get your medical cannabis card in Oklahoma, you’ll need three things:
Before you can get your medical cannabis card application started, you’ll need to schedule a visit with your doctor. During your appointment with your bona fide physician, you’ll need to request that your doctor fills out and signs the physician portion of the Office of Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) form.
During your visit, your doctor will confirm your identity, assess your medical need for cannabis, and complete the physician portion of the physician recommendation form.
My Virtual Physician is able to establish a patient-physician relationship between you and one of our Oklahoma-licensed doctors. Once this is established, you can request a physician certification from us to get your medical marijuana patient license. To get started, fill out our online application to get your card.
After your visit, you’ll have the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) approved form. Within 30 days of your visit, you’ll need to submit your medical cannabis card application to the state of Oklahoma for review and processing. We’ll cover that in step #2.
With your physician recommendation form in hand, your next move is to initiate the application process with the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA). Before opening a new application, review this application checklist to make sure you’ve got all required documents.
When ready, apply online on the government website through the portal. Detailed instructions are provided in the application demo videos at the bottom of the page. Here, you’ll be able to start a new application and upload your documents, including:
You’ll also be able to make your state registration payment for your card inside the portal and check the status of your application once it has been submitted.
There are two separate payments required to complete the medical cannabis card application process. First, you’ll need to pay your doctor for his or her consultation services. My Virtual Physician currently charges $115 for this type of appointment.
The second payment goes to the state with your online application. Oklahoma currently charges $100 plus $4.30 card processing fees. Reduced fees ($20) are available to those who are enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or SoonerCare.
So, the total cost of getting a medical cannabis card in Oklahoma can be under $220.
Your cannabis card is valid for up to two years and must be renewed, along with an updated physician recommendation form.
Take charge of your medical choices and start feeling better. When you’re ready, get your Oklahoma medical cannabis card with the help of My Virtual Physician. Set up your physician consultation with My Virtual Physician today to get started.
My Virtual Physician wants to help those affected by the recent tragedy in Mississippi.
Our hearts go out to the victims, families, and those affected by the tragic tornadoes in the state. We would like to extend a hand in any way we can by immediately helping increase access to affordable healthcare for those affected by the devastating tornado.
My Virtual Physician is an online healthcare provider with the ability to serve patients across all 50 states. We already have the framework in place to assist patients from across the United States, including Mississippi. Our caring and compassionate virtual doctors are here to meet the medical need in this time of crisis. Our diverse group of board-certified physicians are trained in multiple areas to address a wide range of health conditions.
Our specialists include:
As an established online provider, we’d like to offer our services to those suffering as a result of the tornado by providing round-the-clock medical support to supplement local providers. If you or a loved one has been affected and want the opportunity to be seen by a virtual doctor, My Virtual Physician is here to help.
Our practice is in-network with Mississippi Medicaid. For those without insurance coverage, My Virtual Physician will offer no-cost healthcare to residents who are affected by the tornado over the next 30 days.
Call (888) 224-0804 or schedule an appointment below to get care now. If you wish to take advantage of the free care as a Mississippi resident, be sure to note such in your scheduling details.
Marijuana laws are constantly changing. If you’ve been keeping up, you may have noticed that Missouri legalized recreational marijuana this year (2023)—a move that’s a step ahead of the majority of surrounding states. Find out what that means if you live nearby Missouri and are looking for where to get a medical cannabis card to manage an illness.
Below, we show the state of the nation when it comes to where you can get a medical cannabis card, and where in the midwest you can purchase it over the counter without a medical card for cannabis.
With the new law that went into effect this year, residents in surrounding states like Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas—have begun visiting Missouri to purchase marijuana with their government-issued ID under the new adult-use provision.
But looking at the map again, patients who desire to use marijuana to treat certain medical conditions don’t necessarily need to drive out of state to get cannabis. Four of the states surrounding Missouri have already legalized medical marijuana for certain conditions.
Let’s take a look - state by state. These states have provided a pathway for patients to get medical marijuana in their own state. And it might be easier than you think to qualify and get your card.
Missouri legalized recreational cannabis this year. But there are still many advantages to getting your medical cannabis card in Missouri, including protections, possession limit increases, tax savings, and more. Read more about how to get a medical cannabis card in Missouri.
In Oklahoma, residents can get a medical cannabis card through the state. Since recreational use is illegal here, obtaining a medical marijuana card is the safest route for patients to get the treatment they desire. If you are a resident of Oklahoma, My Virtual Physician can help you get your card if you have a qualifying medical condition. Start by filling out our intake form.
Arkansas residents may apply for the state’s medical cannabis program to qualify for medical marijuana use to treat certain health symptoms. Adult use, or recreational cannabis, is illegal in the Natural State. Read more about how to get a medical cannabis card in Arkansas.
At this time, the four states that surround Missouri do not have a pathway for patients to obtain medical cannabis. However, the governor of Kentucky recently signed an executive order to pardon Kentuckians from possession violations under certain conditions. Read more about the Kentucky marijuana pardon.
There is a route for Iowans to get a medical cannabis card from the state’s Office of Medical Cannabidiol. If you need help getting your cannabis medical card as an Iowa resident with a qualifying debilitating medical condition, My Virtual Physician can help. Start today by filling out our intake form.
Illinois has multiple routes for patients to obtain medical marijuana. Both adult use and recreational use are currently legal in the Land of Lincoln. Still, getting your medical cannabis card has advantages and protections that recreational use does not offer. Read more about how to get a medical cannabis card in Illinois.
So, if you’re living in the midwest but don’t want to drive all the way to Missouri to purchase heavily taxed adult use marijuana, you have options.
If you need help finding out where to get a medical cannabis card in your state, My Virtual Physician is here. Where legally allowed, our virtual doctors can provide physician certification for medical marijuana so that you can have a medical cannabis card in your hands sooner than you thought possible.
Along with helping you get your medical marijuana card in your state, My Virtual Physician has multiple specialists on staff to help you manage your medical conditions from the comfort of your own home. Schedule an appointment today to see one of our virtual doctors and get well.
If you’re looking for where to get your medical cannabis card in Arkansas, you should know that there isn’t such a thing. But there has been some movement in that direction.
Arkansas now offers patients to get their renewal of their medical cannabis card via telehealth visit, however, if you are receiving your medical cannabis card for the first time, it is required to do an in-person visit.
The Natural State legalized medical cannabis in 2016 with the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Act, which amended the state’s constitution. Since adult-use is otherwise illegal in Arkansas, this provided a pathway for patients to qualify for medical cannabis cards.
In this guide, My Virtual Physician walks you through step-by-step how to get your medical cannabis card as an Arkansas resident.
In order to qualify, you must have one of the qualifying medical conditions provided in the law. Check the list of debilitating medical conditions below to see if you qualify to get a medical card for cannabis in Arkansas:
If you’re an Arkansas resident looking for medical marijuana to deal with any of the above conditions, you can proceed with the next step to get your medical cannabis card.
Once you’ve confirmed that your medical condition qualifies, you can begin the three-step process to get your card. This process requires only three items:
Before filling out your Medical Marijuana ID card application with the Arkansas Department of Health, the first step is to see your doctor.
Your doctor must be an Arkansas-licensed physician registered with the DEA. My Virtual Physician is staffed with virtual doctors who are licensed in states throughout the US and can serve patients online or through telemedicine where legally applicable.
The purpose of this visit is for the doctor to certify your medical condition and verify that it is on the list of qualifying conditions.
After your visit, your doctor will complete a state-specific form that certifies his or her recommendation for medical marijuana as an applicable treatment for your medical condition. This form is called the ADH Medical Marijuana Physician’s Written Certification.
Within 30 days of getting your physician certification, you’ll need to apply for your Arkansas Medical Marijuana ID card with the Arkansas Department of Health. You can apply online or by mail. You’ll upload a photo of your physician certification during the application process, along with proof of residency.
State processing takes up to 14 days, and you’ll be able to print your card once approved while you wait for the physical card to be mailed.
During the application process, you’ll be prompted to pay a $50 registry ID card application fee to ADH. Your card will be good for up to one year. There is a separate charge for the physician consultation visit that is required to get your physician certification form. My Virtual Physician currently charges $115 for this consultation service.
That puts your total cost for a medical cannabis card at $165 per year if you choose My Virtual Physician to complete your physician certification (fees are paid separately to the state and your healthcare provider).
Now that you know how to get your medical cannabis card in Arkansas, if you're ready to renew your certification, set up your medical marijuana consultation with My Virtual Physician to renew your medical cannabis card.
In a 21st century world of convenience, we’ve already got the ability to visit with doctors from the comfort of our own homes through telemedicine and virtual visits. But there’s another post-pandemic trend on the verge of emergence in the way that we visit the doctor. Mobile clinics are on the rise.
They’ve already been around for a few decades, but thanks to recently passed legislation—mobile healthcare clinics are about to get an overhaul and become a lot more commonplace, picking up 40% growth since 2019.
Find out what the new law is and how it is slated to impact your healthcare in a great big way!
The MOBILE Health Care Act is a new law (passed in 2022) that makes it easier for Medicaid healthcare providers to use federal funding to purchase and operate mobile clinics. The law was created in order to cut some red tape that previously required a brick-and-mortar facility in the region before federal funding could be used for mobile units. By eliminating the physical location requirement, it’s anticipated to expand healthcare access to harder-to-reach areas like rural communities.
Everyone can benefit from the new law. However, it’s especially exciting for rural communities that have limited options for healthcare. Other groups that will likely experience better access to healthcare include:
It’s important to note that low-income families who depend on Medicaid to pay for medical expenses are often limited by choice. Combining the monetary limitations of only having a small selection of doctors who accept Medicaid with the physical boundaries of rural areas can drastically reduce access to healthcare in these regions. Mobile clinics offer an opportunity to reach more Medicaid patients where they live and work.
My Virtual Physician is excited about the future of healthcare and how the new MOBILE Health Care Act can increase access to patients even further than telemedicine alone. We see a future where these mobile healthcare vans provide easy and convenient access to specialists to all patients—regardless of location, income level, or other circumstances. We understand there are inherent hurdles to overcome with patient access to telemedicine, and we embrace the future of merging telemedicine with mobile healthcare when and where it’s appropriate.
By combining telemedicine services with mobile clinics, patients will be granted access to hundreds of doctors rather than just the ones who are physically aboard the van. Today, technology and new legislation is letting doctors shift to meeting patients more effectively where they’re at rather than the other way around.
The MOBILE Health Care Act takes the future of healthcare a step in the right direction.
If you’re looking for where to get your medical cannabis card in Kentucky, you should know that there isn’t such a thing. But there has been some movement in that direction.
With so many states legalizing marijuana for both medical and recreational use, where does Kentucky currently stand? Currently, the Hemp State has not legalized cannabis. While there have been multiple attempts to pass legislation to allow medical marijuana in KY, it seems to fail every time.
Maybe you’ve heard that an executive order signed by Governor Beshear in 2022 (E.O. 2022-798) legalized medical marijuana for Kentuckians starting on January 1, 2023. While he did sign an executive order related to cannabis—you need to know that it does NOT legalize marijuana for medical use in Kentucky.
No, marijuana is not legal in Kentucky. It is still illegal to possess, use, grow, buy, or sell marijuana in Kentucky. There is not currently a medical marijuana program. The commonwealth does not take applications for medical marijuana cards. In fact, there is no such thing as KY medical cannabis cards, so don’t get scammed into believing that you’re paying for a legitimate card online!
So, if cannabis medical cards are not a thing and marijuana is still illegal in Kentucky, then what’s this executive order all about? Read on to find out.
Governor Beshear’s Executive Order 2022-798 allows a conditional preemptive pardon for possession for patients who meet certain criteria in Kentucky. Rather than legalizing marijuana or providing a way to access it, the executive order cancels legal consequences for certain Kentuckians who legally purchase cannabis from other states outside of Kentucky. It went into effect at the beginning of this year (2023).
The governor’s executive order is a temporary solution and he is still pushing forward with measures to encourage legislative adoption to legalize medical cannabis. Part of this endeavor included the creation of Team Kentucky Cannabis Advisory Committee, a panel made up of experts in healthcare, substance abuse, law enforcement, criminal justice, and advocates.
The executive order lays out specific conditions that must be met in order to receive the Governor’s pardon.
This includes the following rules:
If you meet these criteria, the pardon applies to criminal offenses of possession of marijuana under KRS 218A.1422, which currently lists possession as a Class B misdemeanor.
Although there is no such thing as a Kentucky medical marijuana card, the governor’s executive order does require that qualifying patients have a physician certification written document in order to meet the pardon requirements for possessing cannabis.
This document is written and signed by your Kentucky-licensed doctor, with whom you have a bona fide physician-patient relationship. The certification statement must include basic information, such as:
While you don’t need a special doctor to issue this statement, there may be reasons you’re seeking a physician certification online. My Virtual Physician can help. We are physician-founded and our doctors are proud to offer specialist visits for our patients, whether you need help managing your chronic condition or are simply looking for the physician certification.
In the event that you’re looking to establish a bona fide relationship with our doctors in order to get your physician certification for medical marijuana in Kentucky, please reach out to us so we can help get you the documents you need. Contact us directly, or begin the process by filling out an intake form.*
*Note: Kentucky requires an established bona fide patient-relationship which may require multiple online visits to obtain physician certification for your condition.
