September 30, 2024 – UNC Health is providing free virtual care for residents of Western North Carolina hardest hit by Hurricane Helene.
As counties in Western North Carolina recover and clean up from the storm, adult residents (ages 18+) can see a UNC Health primary care provider for mild symptoms without an appointment – with no-out-of-pocket cost – through UNC Health Virtual Care Now.
Using a camera- and microphone-enabled phone, tablet or computer, patients can access convenient, secure and flexible care. Patients can get in line for Virtual Care Now through My UNC Chart. If patients do not have a My UNC Chart account, they can easily get one when they register.
Virtual services are available 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., 7 days per week for a wide range of conditions, including fever, cold or flu, insect bites, rash, and more. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 911.
In addition to providing free virtual care, UNC Health is responding to Hurricane Helene recovery in other ways, including:
- UNC Health providers from across the state are volunteering to help at the system’s hospitals hit hardest by the storm, including UNC Health Appalachian in Boone, UNC Health Pardee in Hendersonville, UNC Health Blue Ridge in Morganton, and UNC Health Caldwell in Lenoir.
- UNC Health is sending a wide range of medical supplies to support those hospitals. We are also coordinating donations for teammates affected by the storm.
- Our critical care transport team are supporting any patients that require transfers to other hospitals.
- Our information technology team is working hard to restore phone and Internet networks at hospitals and clinics.
- Several UNC Health Urgent Care clinics in Western North Carolina have reopened and will be able to treat patients this week.