Information about video visit
Video Visits (Telehealth)
Many urologic conditions can be assessed using a video visit. Video visits are available for new and established patients. Care is provided by Cedars Sinai Academic Urology Practice.
Safe, Easy and Convenient
Telemedicine visits are similar to in-person visits. Speak to your health care provider face-to-face. We use a variety of technology platforms to accommodate most patients with a desktop or laptop with a camera, speaker and microphone. Video visits can also be conducted using an iPhone or Android phone. To protect your privacy, we will never make recordings of your video visit.
FAQs
Q: Who can request a video visit?
A: New and established patients needing a urology appointment. Often it is best to speak to our scheduler by calling 310-423-4700 who can ask you about your symptoms and diagnosis and help determine if a video visit is appropriate. For some patients, a physical examination or special testing is required and we will recommend an in-person visit.
Q: What equipment do I need?
A: We recommend using MyCSLink, which is an app available for smartphones. MyCSLink will connect via Zoom. However, we have additional platforms for conducting secure, encrypted video communications. All our platforms meet HIPAA requirements.
Q: What if I have a desktop computer or laptop that I want to use?
A: This is great. We ask that you use Chrome, Safari , Firefox or Microsoft Edge as your browser. Conducting a telemedicine visit on a computer facilitates screen sharing, which is often used by the doctor to show you pictures and illustrations that can help you understand your condition.
Q: Is a telephone call adequate?
A: Not always. If technology is not available for a video visit we recommend considering an in-person visit. Doctors and nurses have been trained to gather lots of health information during a face-to-face encounter. A video visit already deprives doctors of the sense of touch. A telephone call will deprive them of the sense of sight as well. Also, the video visit is invaluable because the doctor can show you pictures and charts that can be worth a 1000 words.
Q: How much will the service cost?
A: Video visits are treated just like in-person visits. We will process the charges through your insurance and you will be responsible for your deductibles and copays.
Q: What happens if I need a prescription or testing?
A: During a video visit, we can electronically prescribe medications for a pharmacy that you choose. If you need blood tests or imaging studies such as a CT or MRI, we can provide you with the orders so you can go to a laboratory or imaging center of your choice.
Q: Where do I get technical help if I can't connect by video?
A; We have instruction sheets with screenshots of what you will see on your device to help you. Instructions can be downloaded from our "Services" link at the top of this webpage. You can also get help from our experts at 310-423-4700.
Q: If I have to come for an in-person visit, is the medical center safe.
A: Of course, there is no place safer than your home. However, to keep you safe, we've used all the scientific knowledge about the virus and how it spreads. The hospital has never been cleaner and safer. For some health conditions, getting care in-person can be more important than avoiding all social contact.
Q: Do you do video visits for second opinions?
A: Absolutely. Our physicians are also world-renown researchers at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. Our doctors are fellowship-trained in their subspecialty and their practices are focused on their subspecialty. This means they have tremendous experience within their area of urology. They routinely provide expert advice for patients facing the most challenging urologic problems and get referrals from other urologists.