Free telehealth appointments now available through NC program for those with COVID-19

Teddy Rosenbluth
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The state launched a new program that gives all North Carolinians access to a free telehealth appointment if they test positive for COVID-19, regardless of whether they have insurance.

If the telemedicine provider deems the patient eligible for an antiviral, like Paxlovid, the medicine can be sent through a mail-order pharmacy. The program, which is a partnership with StarMed Healthcare, intends to avoid severe illness and hospitalizations by providing free access to early treatment, according to a press release from the NC Department of Health and Human Services.

“People who test positive for COVID-19, particularly those who are uninsured or don’t have a primary care doctor, will have better access to treatments,” DHHS said.

North Carolinians need to test positive on an at-home or other COVID-19 test to qualify. Neither insurance nor identification cards are required to participate.

Visit starmed.care/nc or call 704-941-6000 to schedule an appointment, which run seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m for as long as the program’s funding lasts.

Young children eligible for bivalent booster

The state also announced this week that children as young as 6 months old are now eligible for a bivalent booster, which protects against the dominant omicron variants of the coronavirus.

Like previous COVID shots, children 6 months through 4 years get a smaller dose of this updated vaccine than other age groups. The vaccine is safe to take along with the flu shot.

Young children are eligible for the bivalent booster in the following circumstances:

  • 6 months to 5 years and got their last dose of a Moderna vaccine at least two months ago.

  • 6 months to 4 years who already had two doses of the Pfizer vaccine and are ready for their third dose.

To find vaccine locations, visit MySpot.nc.gov.

Teddy Rosenbluth covers science and healthcare for The News & Observer in a position funded by Duke Health and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work.

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