Intermountain Healthcare announced Thursday the launch of several new on-demand virtual care services designed to provide faster access to specialized medications without the need for an in-person doctor's appointment. The new services cover treatments for hair loss, skin anti-aging, weight loss, and HIV prevention through a process involving online health assessments and pharmacist consultations.
Streamlined Virtual Consultation Process
The new virtual platform allows eligible patients to bypass traditional scheduling hurdles by completing an online intake form. Following the submission of this form, a clinical pharmacist will contact the patient via telephone within 24 to 48 hours to review medical history and discuss treatment options. For weight loss services specifically, Intermountain stated that a pharmacist will reach out within 48 hours.
Pharmacist-Led Medical Reviews
The pharmacy-led model relies on direct communication to ensure safety and efficacy. Intermountain noted that they will attempt up to two phone calls and one email if a patient is initially unreachable, though they emphasized that a prescription generally cannot be provided without speaking directly to the patient first. The organization also cautioned that refunds for consultation fees are not available if contact cannot be established.
Geographic Availability and Eligibility
The expansion of virtual care is currently available to patients 18 years of age or older residing in Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and Nevada. However, the PrEP service for HIV prevention is more geographically restricted, as it is only offered to patients located in Utah and Idaho.
Hair Loss and Thinning Treatments
The hair loss treatment service targets patients experiencing no more than 50% hair thinning or loss on the head. For those assigned male at birth, the service may recommend Minoxidil (Rogaine) or Finasteride (Propecia), while those assigned female at birth may be prescribed Minoxidil. The consultation fee for this service is $39, plus the cost of medication.
Skin Anti-Aging Solutions
Intermountain also introduced a skin anti-aging service for adults facing symptoms such as facial wrinkles and sun spots. A $59 consultation fee applies to this service, which may include recommendations for sunscreen use or prescriptions for topical medications. If the clinical pharmacist determines a patient does not qualify for the on-demand service, they can provide a referral to an Intermantain provider for further evaluation.
GLP-1 Weight Loss Access
The weight loss program focuses on providing access to GLP-1 medications, such as Zepbound (tirzepatide), Wegovy (semaglutide), and Foundayo. To qualify, patients must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30 for new treatments or over 25 for continuing treatment. Additionally, patients must have visited a primary care provider within the last 12 months or schedule one within the next 12 months to maintain the service.
HIV Prevention and PrEP Services
For those seeking HIV prevention, Intermountain offers PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) on demand for a $49 service fee. This service is specifically for individuals at risk of exposure through sex or injection drug use. While the service provides access to medications like Truvada, Descovy, and Apretrade, it does not currently offer PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). Patients seeking PEP are directed to use CDC resources to find local community providers.
