E-Consults

Fast-Tracked Specialty Consultations

E-Consults are a new, more convenient way for patients and those referred to a Bassett Healthcare Network specialist to receive a specialty consultation at local primary and specialty care centers. As part of our TeleHealth services, E-Consults are available through your primary care practitioner.

E-Consults offer faster access to a specialist than traditional specialty service centers – with a personalized treatment plan offered in three days or less upon receiving a referral from your primary care practitioner.

Convenient Specialty Care Services

Aside from allowing patients and visitors fast access to a specialist, E-Consults also offer:

• No time spent in waiting rooms
• Reduced travel and time off work
• Printable consultation report and treatment plan
• Improved communication between your primary care practitioner and the specialist

During your primary care appointment, if a need is identified for a referral to a specialist, your primary care practitioner will gather all of the necessary information, including your health information, digital photos (for dermatology-related concerns), lab or exam results, and send them digitally through your electronic medical record to the consulting specialist. The specialist then reviews this information and begins developing a customized treatment plan. The specialist may also determine that you should be seen in person to address the medical concern, if this seems more appropriate.

After the consultation has been completed, the specialist will relay your custom treatment plan back to your primary care practitioner, who will then send a copy of the consult and proposed treatment plan to you via your selected method of communication. 

The entire process from the time your practitioner sends the referral to the time the specialist returns the completed E-Consult to you will take no longer than three business days.

E-Consult Specialties

Our E-Consults are currently offered for the following specialties, with more planned soon: 

• Infectious disease
• Endocrinology
• Dermatology
• Orthopedics (including spine care, sports medicine, and more)
• Urology
• Cardiology
• Podiatry
• Wound Care
• Oncology & Hematology
• Digestive Diseases

Locations Offering E-Consults

We currently offer E-Consults at all Bassett Healthcare Network primary care centers, and plan on offering more specialty E-Consults at these locations in the future.

Payment Information

You may be charged a co-pay equal to or similar to that for an in-person specialty visit depending on your insurance carriers. This co-pay will be waived if the specialist determines the need for an in-person visit within 14 days.

Bassett Healthcare Network delivers fast and convenient access to specialty care with E-Consults throughout Central New York, including in Cooperstown, Herkimer, and Norwich.