These last few weeks of winter weather have been harsh to say the least. Some areas of the country bottomed out at -50°F, leaving many stranded until the temperatures rose to safe levels. During the polar vortex, hundreds were house bound, and for smaller medical emergencies, leaving the home seemed pointless. A healthcare system in western Michigan was able to aid more than 400 people through their online medical services during the extreme weather.

Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids utilizes MedNow, which offers 24/7 care from the comfort of home. The service is able to provide medical care for conditions such as nausea/vomiting, pink eye, cold/flu, and other minor conditions that don’t require life saving measures.

MedNow can connect a person to a board certified medical professional using visual and audio technology to communicate effectively. Through the use of a mobile device or a computer, an individual just needs an internet connection to have a conversation with a doctor. Appointments can be scheduled for any time of day and the patient will be treated similarly to an in-house doctor visit.

MedNow offers more than just doctor support. They offer services for companies to provide to employees, breastfeeding support through a lactation peer counselor, and even travel consultations.

According to AP, MedNow, which typically sees 250 over a 4-day period, received a high demand of appointments during the freezing temperatures. From people who experienced back pain after shoveling, to those who feared their cold turned into pneumonia, the doctors at MedNow had their hands full. But never at any time did a patient have to leave their home for a minor illness.

The cost of an appointment is $45 for a video consultation, but it could be fully covered by insurance.