Families Together Introduces Fully Virtual Clinic

FAMILIES TOGETHER INTRODUCES FULLY VIRTUAL CLINIC, EXPANDING TELEHEALTH ACCESS FOR MORE THAN 800,000 MEDI-CAL PATIENTS IN ORANGE COUNTY 

TUSTIN, Calif., September 20, 2021 – True to its mission to help increase access to essential medical services, Families Together of Orange County (FTOC), a nonprofit community health center, is proud to announce the expansion of its Telehealth program with the launch of its Virtual Clinic.

The evolution from telephonic services to a fully-fledged Virtual Clinic will increase access for thousands of Orange County residents, including more than 800,000 Medi-Cal patients in the region, with its one-click video conferencing capabilities that are not yet widely offered to most Southern California medical patients. Services available through the Virtual Clinic include family planning, general medical consultations, pediatric and women’s health visits, prescription refills, and more; with a view to expand into mental health and counseling services in the near future.

With Telehealth services in English and Spanish, confidence and trust that has already been built within the community, and cultural familiarity, Families Together is helping to bridge the health equity gap in the lower-income and vulnerable populations it serves. To further extend the services of the Virtual Clinic, the health center is also partnering with organizations throughout the community that focus on homelessness to provide immediate medical attention to homeless individuals with just a click of a link. 

Alexander Rossel, CEO of Families Together comments:

“Our number one priority at Families Together has always been to provide high-quality services to everyone, regardless of insurance or economic status. So with this expansion into a Virtual Clinic, we’re doing just that. We’re increasing access for those who are unable to get to a physical location due to homelessness or a chronic condition, while also giving options to people who perhaps don’t have the luxury of being able to take time off work to go to their appointment.”  

Like most community health centers, Families Together serves a largely lower income population. With more than 70% of the health center’s patients insured through Medi-Cal, the Virtual Clinic is a true extension of the Families Together mission. 

Recent data show that a good portion of Medi-Cal patients have adopted Telehealth services. According to a June 2021 survey of Southern California residents conducted by Families Together, 44% of those on Medi-Cal or Medicaid have used Telemedicine services in the past year, and 39% of respondents on Medi-Cal or Medicaid indicated that they plan to use it within 6 months. 

In other Telehealth programs throughout the state, a lack of education on how to use the software and technological barriers might have hindered adoption. The Virtual Clinic at Families Together is unique in that its video conferencing technology is integrated into the Electronic Health Record, eliminating the need for a patient to download any outside video conferencing apps in order to access the service. With its easy-to-use one-click video conferencing technology, Families Together will help grow adoption of the program by also providing education on how to access the Virtual Clinic. 

Patients can make an appointment with the Virtual Clinic by calling 1(800) 597-7977. All new patients must have an in-person consultation at Families Together prior to accessing the Virtual Clinic.

About Families Together of Orange County Community Health Center

Since 2003, Families Together of Orange County Community Health Center (FTOC) has proudly served the Orange County community with a myriad of health services while providing a welcoming, multi-lingual and patient – centered medical home to all. FTOC is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, FQHC look-alike, a member of the Coalition of Orange County Community Health Centers and the California Primary Care Association.

Please visit www.familiestogetheroc.org for more information on Families Together of Orange County and for the latest updates.

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For interview requests and further information, please contact Cassie Rossel