Welcome to Turnagain Telehealth, your virtual gateway to personalized primary and urgent care in South Central Alaska. Our board-certified Nurse Practitioners are just a phone call away to diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of health conditions. Whether you're at home, enjoying the great outdoors, or traveling, we ensure that professional medical care is always within your reach. Affordable and convenient, our telemedicine consultations start at just $129. Experience healthcare that revolves around you!
We can answer your health-related questions, help manage chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes, and order any necessary labs or prescriptions. If we are unable to treat your problem remotely, we will be happy to refer you to a primary provider, urgent care, or emergency room where your problem can be evaluated in-person.
When appropriate, your provider may prescribe medication for you. Please note that antibiotics are not always medically appropriate, and may or may not be prescribed. We are unable to write prescriptions for narcotics or other controlled substances. Please see your Primary Care Provider in person if you require medication classified as a controlled substance.
We cannot treat Emergencies or other conditions requiring an in-person physical exam. If you are experiencing a medical condition that is urgent or life threatening, you should proceed immediately to the nearest Urgent Care, Emergency Room, or call 911.
Our virtual healthcare services are designed to provide you with quality care in the comfort of your own space. In just a few easy steps, you can consult with our board-certified Nurse Practitioners without the need to travel or wait in line. Here’s a quick guide on how to access our telehealth services:
If you are feeling sick, have questions, need a refill, or some medical advice, you can see available appointment times and schedule your Telemedicine consult online here. For same day appointments, please give us a call at +1-907-885-9022.
You will need a credit or debit card to secure your appointment and pay for your visit (we take all major credit cards, including HSA/FSA cards).**In order to keep costs low, we are not enrolled with any insurance carriers, Medicare or Medicaid. This allows us to keep our costs lower and pass the savings on to you.
Once your appointment has been confirmed, you will receive an email with the appointment time, the online intake and consent forms, and a link to the HIPAA compliant video platform that we will be using for your consultation. This can be accessed from the browser on your computer, or you can download the app to your smartphone or tablet.
You will also be asked for ID at the beginning of the consult, so please have that ready.If you have the ability to take your pulse, check your temperature, blood pressure, or weight, please do so prior to your consult and record the measurements for your provider.
You will need to have a reliable internet connection, and a phone/tablet or computer with a web-cam. Video consults are preferred, however, if you do not have an internet connection or cellular data is not available, you can use the phone option. Please let us know in advance if you are not able to use video.
A few minutes before your appointment time, just click the link you received to be placed in the ‘waiting room,’ where your provider will join you and start your visit.
When you need to talk to a provider, you can call, or book online through our patient portal.
Medical care when and where you need it. Take your provider with you wherever you may roam.
Less expensive and faster than an office or urgent care visit.
Put simply, Telehealth and Telemedicine use smartphones, computers, tablets, telephones, email, text messaging, and other technology to connect the patient and provider who are in two separate locations, allowing for diagnosis and treatment of many illnesses and conditions. It also allows for wellness checks, coaching, and education on preventative measures, etc., while maintaining confidentiality and privacy as if you were in a provider’s office.
According to the State of Alaska DHHS webpage: Telehealth in Alaska & Telemedicine, “Telemedicine refers to the practice of caring for a patient when the patient and provider are not physically together. It allows healthcare providers to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients using technology such as video conferencing and smartphones without the need for an in-person visit. The term telemedicine refers specifically to remote clinical services. Telehealth is a broader term that includes telemedicine, but can also refer to non-clinical services like using technology for preventative, educational, and health-related administrative activities.”
QUALITY OF CARE:
Many studies have shown that Telemedicine delivers the same quality of care that you get in-person, with increased satisfaction by both patients and providers.
IT’S CONVENIENT:
You can be evaluated in your own town or home, and save yourself both time and travel expenses by using telehealth. Whether you are too sick to travel, don’t have child care or a ride, you can be evaluated and treated right where you are.
Less down time: You don’t have to miss (as much) work or school to be seen via Telehealth. You can spend your time recovering instead of traveling back and forth, sitting in waiting rooms.
AVOID COMPLICATIONS:
You may be able to get care sooner, thus reducing the risk of complications by avoiding worsening illness…ultimately saving you money.
Yes. You are definitely encouraged to have a primary provider. Telehealth is not intended to replace your primary provider, but to be used in conjunction with, and to supplement their care. Sometimes, you just don’t have time to wait a week or two for an appointment, or can’t take the time—or are unable--to leave work or school. With Telehealth, you can often be seen same day, and in 15-30 minutes be finished with your appointment and back to whatever else you need to do. Once you have signed a Release of Information, your records can be sent to your primary provider so they are up-to-date on the care you have received.
It’s expensive. Billing insurance increases your cost and the provider’s; both financially, and in time spent coding and documenting so the insurance companies will reimburse for the visit.
At Turnagain Telehealth, the visit price is low—about the same as an insurance co-pay--but goes directly to the provider who sees you instead of the middle-man, who may or may not reimburse for the visit. This way we can keep our costs low and pass the savings on to you. We are happy to code your receipts so you can submit the claim to your insurance company for reimbursement.
Our providers are not associated/credentialed/enrolled with Medicare or Medicaid and are therefore unable to see Medicare/Medicaid patients/beneficiaries even if they have other insurance, or are willing to pay out-of-pocket for this service.
Amy is a Family Nurse Practitioner, and long-time Alaska resident. She is originally from Alabama, where she attended Judson College and earned her undergraduate degree in Biology and Psychology.
After moving to Alaska in 1994, she worked for several years as a wilderness guide and EMT before returning to school and earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ. She then worked as a Critical Care and Flight Nurse before entering the FNP program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she earned her Masters of Science in Nursing.
Since completing her degree, she has been working locally in Anchorage, specializing in Urgent/Emergency and Primary Care. She also spent 2 years in Dubai, UAE as the medical provider in the Health Unit at the U.S. Consulate.
When she's not working she enjoys spending time in the in the outdoors with her family and friends; fishing, kayaking, hiking, biking, and skiing. She also enjoys traveling and exploring new places.