See A Doctor in the Upstate Without Leaving Home

Wondering how to see a doctor in Greenville or Spartanburg from home? If anyone in the family is sick, dragging everyone to the doctor can be quite the hassle. Plus, the fear of being exposed to other illnesses is a valid concern. Here in the Upstate, luckily there are several options where you can see a doctor online and even have the prescription sent to the pharmacy without ever leaving your couch. 

The day after I had taken my kids to the lake I noticed an odd rash on my daughter’s leg. I really didn’t want to spend a couple hours going to the doctor’s office, sitting in a waiting room and possibly exposing my kids to sickness, paying a lot of money out of pocket, and just losing that time I needed in my day. I remembered reading someplace that there are doctors I could see online. It only took me a few minutes to find local healthcare options that saw patients online. 

Bingo. 

I think it cost me around $80 to have a doctor diagnose my daughter with just a photo and fill the prescription for a simple cream. We were done in maybe 30 minutes, including the time it took me to get the prescription. 

I’ve done the same exact thing when I was suffering from throat irritation or other ailments that a doctor easily diagnosed via a telehealth service. As a busy parent who can’t lose time sitting in waiting rooms (and possibly exposing myself or my kids to worse illnesses), figuring out the telehealth world has been a game-changer. 

And I can use it anywhere, which gives me peace of mind if I’m on vacation or it’s an evening or weekend when my normal doctor’s office is closed. It’s a service I know is reliable, fast, and affordable. 

Telehealth Providers in the Upstate

Here are local healthcare providers that offer telehealth services. 

Prisma Health SmartExam

You don’t need to be a patient of Prisma Health system or even have health insurance to use the online services. The licensed providers treat and diagnose acne, sore throat, yeast infections, ear pain, UTIs, sunburn, rashes, eye pain, and a host of other symptoms. You don’t even need a video camera – everything can be done online. Prescriptions are sent online to your pharmacy.

Cost: $20
Ages: 18+
Hours: Available 24 hours a day but responses provided between 8 am – 8 pm daily
Prisma Health

Bon Secours 24/7

This service is available 24 hours a day, which makes it more accessible than some of the others listed here. Symptoms treated are colds, rashes, sore throat, UTIs, eye infections, earaches, and back pain. You do need a video camera to use this service and the provider will send your prescription online to your pharmacy. Bon Secours also has an app that is easy to use and makes it simple to choose your provider and complete your visit. 

Cost per visit: $49
Ages: 18+ to set up an account; parents or guardians can initiate care for their child(ren)
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Bon Secours

AnMed Health E-Visits

AnMed Health offers E-visits to treat many conditions such as sinus problems, urinary tract concerns, headache, poison ivy and heartburn. All you need to use this service is a computer with internet, no video is used for the E-Visit.

Cost per visit: $20
Ages: 18+
Hours: 7 am – 7 pm
AnMed E-visit

Doctors Care Anywhere

Patients can be treated for pink eye, bladder infections, cough/cold/sore throat, runny nose, skin rashes, the flu, and other ailments. Prescriptions are sent online to the pharmacy of your choice and you don’t need a video camera; visit can be done right from your phone or laptop. 

Cost per visit: $55
Ages: 18+ to set up an account; parents or guardians can initiate care for their child(ren)
Hours: Monday – Friday from 8 am – 7 pm; Saturday and Sunday 9 am – 4 pm
Doctors Care

Blue CareOnDemand ® 

A service for Blue Cross Blue Shield SC members, Blue CareOnDemand ® makes it simple to see a doctor for any number of ailments if you are traveling, too sick to make it to the doctor’s office, or just have no time. The insurance company will process the visit the same as if you went to a brick-and-mortar doctor’s office. Behavioral health specialists and breastfeeding support is also available through this service. 

Cost per visit: No more than $59
Ages: 18+ to set up an account; parents or guardians can initiate care for their child(ren)
Hours: Daily 7 am – 9 pm
Blue CareOnDemand ® 

SRHS Virtual Visit

A telehealth service of Spartanburg Regional, you can connect to a virtual visit with a licensed provider for rashes, eye or bladder infections, coughs, sore throats, minor sports injuries, skin rashes, bronchitis and other ailments. Prescriptions are sent to your local pharmacy and most visits are conducted via video, which is not recorded. They also have an app available called “SRHS Virtual Care.”

Cost per visit: $59
Ages: 18+ to set up an account; parents or guardians can initiate care for their child(ren)
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
SRHS Virtual Care

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Virtual Care

MUSC is located in Charleston but serves people from all over the state. Their online health portal can treat anything from pink eye to the flu to allergies to the coronavirus. It’s free for MUSC employees and South Carolina state employees have PEBA for health insurance.

Cost per visit: $25 unless you are a MUSC employees or SC state employee with PEBA insurance.
Ages: 18+ to set up an account; parents or guardians can initiate care for their child(ren)
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
MUSC Virtual Care