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Online Telemedicine Visits

A few dermatologists at SkinCare Physicians use secure online telemedicine visits to evaluate and treat several skin concerns. Patients have to be PHYSICALLY LOCATED in the state of Massachusetts for a telemedicine visit. These virtual visits are just like an office appointment with your own trusted dermatologist, but use a mobile phone, tablet or laptop from the comfort and safety of your home. Examples of skin conditions that can be evaluated during a telemedicine visit include acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, cysts, and even some concerning lesions.

How to Schedule your Telemedicine Visit

Follow these simple steps to schedule your telemedicine visit at SkinCare Physicians:
Step 1 – You will schedule your appointment by calling our office at (617) 731-1600.
Step 2 – After scheduling your appointment, you will receive two emails:
1- An email to log in to SkinCare Physicians’ Patient Portal.
2- An email to download the PocketPatient™ app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices.
Step 3 – Shortly before your appointment you will receive an email inviting you to join your video visit.

IMPORTANT! You CANNOT USE SAFARI as your browser to access the Patient Portal via the web. You must use either FIREFOX or GOOGLE CHROME.

Instructional Videos on How to Set Up Your Online Telemedicine Visit

Below are links to instructional videos on how to log in to SkinCare Physicians’ Patient Portal and PocketPatient™ so that you can join your video visit with our practice.

• For patients who will be joining their telemedicine visit from an iPhone or iPad: https://vimeo.com/401057251
• For patients who will be joining their telemedicine visit from an Android device: https://vimeo.com/401056448
• For patients who will be joining their telemedicine visit from a desktop or laptop computer with a webcam and microphone, PLEASE USE EITHER GOOGLE CHROME OR MOZILLA FOX as your browser: https://vimeo.com/401057909

How to Take Photographs of Your Skin Concern and Upload them to the Patient Portal

Prior to your telemedicine appointment, SkinCare Physicians’ dermatologists request that you send in digital photographs of the lesion for which you are being seen. The resolution of digital images is far better than what can be seen on videoconferencing, and our physicians rely on this information to assess, diagnose, and treat your skin conditions. Read or watch the following instructions to take your photographs, and then follow the simple steps below to upload your photographs directly to your chart in our online patient portal.

Instructions for digital photography:

• Take your photos in a brightly lit area. This is critical for photo quality to communicate the information that the dermatologists need.
• Take several views of the area in question: “Forest view” (e.g., the whole arm), up close, and then at a 45° angle. The last one is helpful because the side lighting helps your dermatologist see how elevated the lesions are.
• Get your camera to focus on the skin. If you are having difficulty, it can help to draw an arrow with a black ballpoint pen to the lesion in question. The contrast of the dark ink against the skin allows the camera to focus better.
• Screen your photos and only send the ones that are in focus. Blurry photos are not useful for making diagnoses.

Instructions to upload your photographs directly to your chart in our patient portal:

• Step 1 – Log into SkinCare Physicians’ patient portal. (If you need assistance, please contact SkinCare Physicians as above.)
• Step 2 – On the home screen of the portal, select “Messages”.
• Step 3 – Select “Compose Message”. The format will look just like a typical email, and all of the following steps are how one would construct an email.
• Step 4 – Select NURSE NURSE on the drop down list for the “To” field.
• Step 5 – Compose your message with the Subject: Photos
• Step 6 – At the bottom of the message body is the option to “add attachments” Click on this to select photos from your computer or phone. Add the attachments, and hit “Send”.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can learn more about our telemedicine visits from these answers to frequently asked questions.

What is telemedicine?

Telemedicine in dermatology is similar to an office visit, except you use a mobile phone, tablet or laptop to communicate with your trusted dermatologist from the comfort and safety of your home. You can discuss your condition, review your history, and get a treatment plan from your dermatologist.

What kinds of services can I get with telemedicine?

SkinCare Physicians’ dermatologists can diagnose and treat many skin, hair and nail conditions via telemedicine consultations. Examples of skin conditions that can be evaluated include acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, cysts, and even some concerning lesions.

What are the technical requirements to have a telemedicine consultation?

You need only a smartphone, tablet or laptop to communicate with your SkinCare Physicians’ dermatologists. You MUST use Firefox or Chrome as your browser: Safari simply does not work.

Can I get prescriptions to treat my conditions?

Yes, SkinCare Physicians’ providers can prescribe or refill medications during your telemedicine visit. These prescriptions are sent electronically to the pharmacy of your choice.

Are my medical data and photos kept confidential?

Yes! Our online patient portal is secure and 100% HIPAA compliant.

Can a new patient schedule a telemedicine visit?

Yes, a few SkinCare Physicians’ providers are scheduling established as well as new patients for virtual dermatology consultations.

Are telemedicine visits covered by insurance?

Medicare and most commercial insurers are covering our telemedicine appointments for patients who are PHYSICALLY LOCATED in the state of Massachusetts. Coverage depends on your insurance. If you have insurance copays or deductibles to meet, these will still be in place.

What if I need to have a biopsy or other procedure?

If your SkinCare Physicians’ provider feels that an in-office procedure is urgently needed, we will schedule it during our next urgent clinic day.

We look forward to seeing you online!