PMA Health

Proudly Part of Privia Health

What to Expect During a Virtual Visit

What to Expect During a Virtual Visit

At PMA Health, many appointments, if appropriate, can be completed through a secure virtual visit using our online platform.

Virtual visits allow you to connect with your provider from home using your phone, tablet, or computer while still receiving the same personalized care you would receive in the office. Our virtual visits are conducted through a secure platform provided by Privia Health.

Virtual appointments work well for many types of visits, including follow-ups, medication reviews, reviewing test results, and discussing symptoms.

Before Your Appointment

Prior to your visit, you will receive instructions on how to access the virtual appointment link.

To prepare for your visit:

Logging in early allows time to complete the check-in process and resolve any technical issues before the visit begins.

  • Use a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and microphone
  • Make sure you have a stable internet connection
  • Choose a quiet, private location for your appointment
  • Log in about 10–15 minutes before your scheduled time

Virtual Check-In

Similar to an in-office appointment, you will complete a brief check-in before seeing your provider.

This may include:

  • Confirming your contact information and pharmacy
  • Verifying insurance information if needed
  • Reviewing your current medications
  • Updating your medical history or symptoms

Benefits of Telemedicine

Telemedicine has several advantages:

  • Convenient access to care, especially for older adults and patients with limited mobility
  • No need to travel to the office
  • Reduces exposure to contagious illnesses
  • Eliminates risk of hospital-acquired infections
  • Often shorter wait times for appointments
  • Expands access to care for patients in rural areas
  • Reduced healthcare costs
  • Helps patients stay engaged in their care

During the Visit

Once your provider joins the visit, the appointment will proceed much like an in-person consultation.You will also have time to ask questions and discuss next steps in your care. At the end of the appointment, your provider will review the next steps and ensure you understand the plan moving forward. Visit summaries and instructions are typically available through your patient portal.

If Your Provider Is Running Behind

Just like in an in-person clinic, appointments may occasionally run behind schedule.If your provider is delayed, please remain logged into the virtual waiting room. Your provider will join the visit as soon as they are available.

We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Need Help Before Your Visit?

If you have questions about accessing your virtual appointment or need assistance logging in, our team is happy to help.

Phone: 703-521-6662

Virtual visits are designed to make care more convenient while maintaining the same quality and attention you expect from the PMA Health team.

Virtual Visit FAQs

No you don’t need to have a patient portal account. The patient is able to join the virtual visit directly through the emailed or texted link directly in the browser. However, if they want to join the visit through the myPrivia App, they will need to login to their portal account.

No, you can launch the virtual visit directly through a browser window or from your phone or laptop.

The following are compatible for devices:

  • Desktop
    • Google Chrome (latest three versions) for MacOS and Windows
    • Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based version 79 or later) for Windows
    • Safari (version 12+) on MacOs
    • Firefox (latest three versions) for MacOS and Windows
  • Mobile
    • Google Chrome on Android (latest three versions)
    • Samsung Browser (version 12+) on Android
    • Safari on iOS 12+ (This feature doesn’t support other browsers such as Chrome on iOS)

You can rejoin with the original link you used to access the visit.

While the link is sent in the reminder call for the patient, it does not become active until the day of the visit. If the patient clicks the appointment link, they’ll see the following message:

Up to four total users can participate in the call simultaneously (including the provider or care center users).