Vanguard Medical Group Partners with Zipnosis to Improve Patient Access by Launching Virtual Care

Fairfield, NJ – Vanguard Medical Group (Vanguard) today announced the launch of Vanguard eCare, an online diagnosis and treatment service that gives patients convenient access to care by connecting them virtually with trusted Vanguard healthcare providers. Available to Vanguard patients, Vanguard eCare is the first virtual care company to enable health systems to launch virtual care service lines staffed by their own clinicians.

“There is a growing need for more convenient access to care among our patients and other residents of northern New Jersey. With a mission to make healthcare accessible and affordable, Vanguard believes responding to this need is an organizational imperative,” said Thomas McCarrick, MD, MBI, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Medical Informatics Officer at Vanguard. “Virtual care is bringing the primary care experience into the 21st century by providing the greater convenience patients require along with a high-quality, cost-effective way to manage common health concerns.”

The Zipnosis platform offers evidence-based online adaptive interviews, allowing patients to seek care from their smartphones, tablets or computers. Patients can be treated virtually for common health conditions including cold and flu, pinkeye, cold sores, and minor skin conditions – all for a set fee of $45 payable by credit, debit or health savings card.

After logging on to Vanguard eCare, patients complete a brief online interview during which they enter symptom and health history information. Once a patient’s symptoms are entered, a Vanguard provider will review the interview results and briefly speak with the patient, then respond electronically with a diagnosis and treatment plan. If medication is appropriate, prescriptions will be sent to the customer’s preferred pharmacy for pick-up. Vanguard eCare can be used at any time of day, with providers responding within one hour between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily.

The launch of Vanguard eCare is part of the medical group’s broader technology strategy focused on enhancing patient engagement and ultimately driving positive health outcomes by improving access to care and maximizing clinical capacity. The goal of this introduction is to create a more seamless, unified patient experience that will build a framework for adapting to changing patient needs in the future.

“We have been impressed by Vanguard’s progressive approach to technology,” said Jon Pearce, Zipnosis CEO. “Not only do they have a clear strategic vision, they never lose sight of what is most important in healthcare delivery: the wellbeing of their patients. Bringing on virtual care will help them achieve their goals of improving patient access and reducing cost of care today, as well as positioning them as true leaders in their market going forward.”

About Vanguard Medical Group

Vanguard Medical Group P.C. (https://vanguardmedgroup.com/) is a growing regional primary care practice with seven locations throughout Northern and Central New Jersey. Vanguard is recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance as a patient-centered medical home. A PCMH is a primary care practice where health care professionals work as a team to provide patients with care that is tailored to meet their specific needs and ensure they have the resources to make healthy choices. The team also coordinates patient care with other health care specialists in the community. The practice becomes the patients’ “home” for preventive, chronic and ambulatory care.

Locations include the following (more locations coming soon):

• 570 South Ave., Building G, Unit A, Cranford, NJ 07016, 908-272-7990
• 127 Montgomery St., Jersey City, NJ 07302, 201-431-7200
• 61 Beaverbrook Road, Suite 301, Lincoln Park, NJ 07035, 973-696-6687
• 535 High Mountain Road, Suite 111, North Haledon, NJ 07508, 973-636-9000
• 477 Route 10 East, Suite 205, Randolph, NJ 07869, 973-560-9500
• 271 Grove Ave., Suite A, Verona, NJ 07044, 973-239-2600

The motivation to develop a larger regional primary care practice was the recognition that the health care system was rapidly changing in ways that did not support small or solo independent physician practices. The founding physicians of Vanguard believe that a strong culture of locally led practices, guided by a shared vision and governed by shared values, must be at the core of this new organization. Vanguard Medical Group accepts most major insurance plans.

Media Contacts:

Sergeant Marketing | Nancy Sergeant, 973-334-6666, nsergeant@sergeantmarketing.com

Zipnosis | Siobhan Nguyen, 617-986-5784, zipnosis@lpp.com