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Albertans can now meet with doctors through their smartphones

Albertans can use the service to check symptoms, book appointments, see a doctor, and get prescriptions and referrals for diagnostic imaging and specialists, which is all covered by Alberta Health Care.
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On Thursday, the Province of Alberta announced that TELUS Health launched a free downloadable app so Albertans can meet with Alberta licensed physicians through their smartphones.

The Babylon app can serve as a new tool for Albertans to access health-care information and support in response to COVID-19 – from anywhere in the province. Albertans can use the service to check symptoms, book appointments, see a doctor and get prescriptions and referrals for diagnostic imaging and specialists, which is all covered by Alberta Health Care.

RELATED: Alberta pharmacists granted ability to screen for COVID-19, manage drug supply

All physicians providing advice via telephone, email and videoconferencing, including virtual care, can bill for services. This includes care related to COVID-19 as well as care not related to the virus. The code will remain active as long as the chief medical officer of health determines it should remain active.

For more information, physicians can read the updated bulletin on providing telephone advice (Med 221), or email [email protected].

Find more information about Babylon by TELUS Health and download the app here.

Albertans are also able to call their doctors for advice about COVID-19.

Earlier this week, the province announced a new billing code for doctors, which will allow them to bill $20 per call to help advise their patients on COVID-19. This billing code was also enacted during the H1N1 outbreak of 2009.

To further ease the burden on the healthcare system and Health Link 811, the province launched an online self-assessment tool which has been accessed millions of times since it went live earlier this week.

The Babylon app was already available in British Columbia.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Follow our COVID-19 special section for the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic, as well as resources, FAQs and more.


Jennifer Henderson

About the Author: Jennifer Henderson

Jennifer Henderson is the editor of the St. Albert Gazette and has been with Great West Media since 2015
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