OCTOBER 2, 2023
Virtual ExpressCareAbortion Access launches As part of our steadfast commitment to reproductive freedoms, our New York City patients can now receive abortion counseling and care from the comfort of their own homes, through our Virtual ExpressCare services. Here is everything you need to know about this new service. Q: What’s New? A: NYC Health + Hospitals is offering a new service: Virtual ExpressCare Abortion Access. Q: What is Virtual ExpressCare? A: Virtual ExpressCare is NYC Health + Hospitals’ telehealth service. We launched in 2020, as many patients face structural barriers to accessing health care including transportation, competing responsibilities as well as technological barriers to telehealth. Virtual ExpressCare has been enormously successful in connecting patients to care, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Q: Who qualifies for Virtual ExpressCare for medication abortion? A: This service is based in New York City and is available for patients who are in New York City.
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Q: How does the service confirm residency/presence in NYC? A: Patients must attest to being in New York City at the time of the telehealth visit and must attest that they will be in New York City when they take the medication. The patient must provide an NYC address for medication delivery. We will verify that address at the time of registration. Q: How will it work? A: Patients in New York City will be able to reach out to a provider on demand by video or phone for a telehealth visit from the comfort of their own home. Services include: + Pregnancy options counseling and patient education. + Evaluation for clinical appropriateness of telehealth medication abortion and medication delivery if desired. + Connections to and facilitation of in-person care. + Follow-up care after an abortion. Q: How far along in the pregnancy can the patient be to access medication abortion?
A: Medication abortion is available to clinically eligible patients who are up to 10 weeks into their pregnancy. Q: Is there a minimum age for a patient to be prescribed abortion medication? Will parental consent be needed?
A: Telehealth medication abortion care is available to eligible, consenting patients who are 15 years of age or older through Virtual ExpressCare. Parental consent is not required. Additionally, patients of all ages will continue to have access to in- person abortion care within our facilities. Q: Why did we expand access to this service? A: NYC Health + Hospitals has been offering a full spectrum of medication and procedural abortion care at our hospital-based clinics for many years. We have been expanding our family planning and abortion services gradually, and with increased vigor since June of 2022, when Roe v. Wade was overturned. This service will help further expand access by providing telehealth services for counseling regarding pregnancy care options, along with the screening, assessment, and providing prescriptions for medication abortion. Telehealth is one tool that can overcome many of the social and structural barriers to care that our patients face. The political landscape around abortion care is constantly shifting, and access to abortion across the country is diminishing. As providers with the privilege of New York State protections for reproductive health rights, we are expanding access to abortion care within our health system. CONTINUED
Our commitment to providing reproductive care will be on full display throughout our facilities and social media.
Q: How many of our staff members are working on this clinical service? A: The service is being staffed by 15+ experienced providers in abortion care, and our team can expand if necessary. Q: How much will it cost? A: NYC Health + Hospitals serves all patients regardless of their ability to pay. For patients with insurance, we bill their insurance. Depending on their insurance, copays may apply.
If patients cannot afford to pay or are uninsured, NYC Health + Hospitals will provide care and connect patients to trained financial counselors who can help them enroll in health insurance coverage or financial assistance, including through NYC Care and Medicaid. We also collaborate with abortion funds for patients who need additional financial support. Q: What if someone has complications from the medication? A: We counsel our patients extensively on the anticipated clinical course and potential for complications. As with any medical procedure, and with any pregnancy, there is some risk of complications. Patients will be able to call us back at any time if they are experiencing a complication. Patients who are identified as needing more urgent care will be directed to their nearest Emergency Department. Q: Are our providers protected from out-of-state prosecution when they prescribe to a patient visiting New York from out of state? A: Over the past year, Governor Hochul has signed
NYC HEALTH+ HOSPITALS NOW OFFERS ABORTION CARE IN NYC BY VIDEO VISIT OR PHONE
Connect to our trained, compassionate providers by video or phone to get an assessment and counseling. If you access our virtual care services from NYC, and medication abortion is appropriate for you, we can help arrange for the medication to be mailed to your NYC address. We offer virtual abortion care from 9 am – 9 pm, 7 days a week. expresscare.nyc 718-360-8981
several pieces of important legislation. These are designed to increase protection for providers, patients, and those who help others access care against attacks from hostile states for the provision of, receipt of, or assistance in accessing reproductive health care services in New York, including abortion care. However, the legal landscape around abortion care is changing constantly, and we will continue to monitor and adapt to provide access to patients and protection for providers to the best of our ability.
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Q: In addition to this new service, are medication and procedural abortions offered at all NYC Health + Hospitals sites? A: NYC Health + Hospitals offers in-person medication and procedural abortions at all 11 of our acute care facility sites. Q: What is the best way for our providers to refer their patients to Virtual ExpressCare for Abortion? A: Providers can share with patients that we are offering abortion care in our clinics and through Virtual ExpressCare. Virtual ExpressCare operates during the hours of 9 AM to 9 PM. The service can be accessed through the website Expresscare.nyc or via phone at 718-360-8981. Patients can access the service directly anytime during their operating hours.
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